Glutamine is largely synthesized in skeletal muscles and provides fuel to rapidly dividing cells of the immune system and precursors to gluconeogenesis in the liver. Physical exercise is known to affect glutamine synthesis and to modulate glutamine uptake. Overtraining is frequently associated with reduced availability of glutamine and decreased immunocompetence.
Recent findings show that strenuous physical exercise and the exhaustive training programs that bodybuilders follow lead to glutamine depletion due to lowered synthesis and enhanced uptake by liver and immune cells. Training depletes your body’s glutamine.
Another interesting finding the authors discussed was that, physical inactivity, as investigated by experimental bed rest in healthy volunteers, reduced glutamine synthesis and availability.
This shows that training places more demands by your body for glutamine. Inactivity appears lowers endogenous glutamine production.
The researchers of this extensive review conclude that after exercise, a reduced glutamine availability may be considered as a marker of over-training. Whereas increased glutamine availability via supplementation may contribute to decreased inflammation and health benefits associated with optimal training. Thus, glutamine supplementation may enhance immunocompetence and recovery from strenuous exercise. The authors also suggest that as glutamine appears to be so valuable, the potential of glutamine supplementation during times of no training needs to be explored.
No matter how you slice it, glutamine is one of those must use supplements for athletes and may also be a must-use supplements for non-athletes as well.
Source: Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2010
