L Glutamine
Information
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acids in our bodies.
Amino acids are, of course, a critical part of our muscle.
They form the proteins that are the building blocks for
many of our body tissues, including muscle. Also, the
formation of hemoglobin, enzymes, many hormones, as well
as antibodies is based upon amino acids.
Blood and muscle levels of L-glutamine amino acids do tend
to fall as a result of exhaustive exercise such as bodybuilding, and other
physical stress. So, working up a good, prolonged sweat
theoretically could cause this chemical to slip below a
critical point. As a result, muscle mass may decrease,
exercise recovery may be prolonged, and risk of illness
may rise. To provide insurance here --or to actually
enhance muscle mass and exercise recovery and to ward off
illness -- some people take glutamine supplements and
swear that they work.
And this could, in fact, be a good strategy. But the jury
is still out. There are a significant number of studies
showing that glutamine supplementation helps to maintain
muscle mass and immune system function when the body is
under severe physical stress, such as during recovery from
extensive burns and major surgery. And a few preliminary
investigations suggest that -- during periods of hard
training, and after exhaustive endurance competition --
taking glutamine supplements may limit the normal
breakdown of muscle tissue and the weakening of the immune
system resulting from such activity.
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