L-glutamine powder

L-glutamine is the free amino acid most abundant in muscles. It forms part of the proteins and has an important role in gluconeogenesis (formation of glucose), acid-base regulation and as precursor of the antioxidant glutathione¹.

When performing an intense physical exercise, the availability of glutamine for the synthesis of nucleotides and energy by the cells of the immune system is limited, which can produce negative effects in the immune system. It has been described that the lack of glutamine can result in a decrease in the proliferation of lymphocytes and hinder in this way the immune response to viral infections¹. Therefore, the supplementation with L-glutamine can have a beneficial effect on the immune system, reducing the decrease of the level of this amino acid induced by the physical exercise².

L-glutamine can also help the recovery and reduction of the muscle damage after the realisation of physical exercise thanks to its cytoprotective properties (they help to reduce the cellular damage). In a study in which the effect of chronic consumption of L-glutamine was evaluated on muscle damage and inflammation after the realisation of progressive physical resistance exercises, it was concluded that chronic consumption of this amino acid restores the levels of glutamine in muscles and plasma, improving recovery and decreasing muscle pain³. In another study conducted with 16 healthy individuals, it was also concluded that supplementation with L-glutamine improved recovery and decreased muscle pain after the realisation of eccentric exercise (simultaneous realisation of muscle stretching and contracting)⁴.