From muscle tissue growth and repair, to hormone and enzyme generation, proteins are essential for your health. Proteins themselves are built by amino acids. These are small, organic molecules - and are in fact the second-most abundant compounds found in mammals after water (Cruzat et al, 2018).
Of these primary amino acids, Glutamine is typically considered the most abundant and versatile used by the body. But what is Glutamine, and why do you need it?
What is Glutamine?
As we’ve already said, Glutamine is one of 20 amino acids used in the body to make proteins and carry out various vital processes.
Traditionally, amino acids have been classified as either ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential’. This distinction has largely been made to separate amino acids which are produced endogenously by the body already (and therefore non-essential to receive from another source) versus those the body requires but that must be obtained from external sources in the diet (e.g. exogenously).
Interestingly, Glutamine seems to fall in the middle of these classifications. This is because whilst the body can usually produce enough Glutamine endogenously, certain circumstances mean the body can’t create a sufficient supply – prompting Glutamine to be dubbed ‘conditionally essential’ (Watford, 2015).
In these cases, such as during periods of illness and recovery, you may require additional Glutamine supplements to support and maintain your health. These will be made from L-Glutamine, which is the optically active form of Glutamine (NCBI, 2024) used by the body to produce proteins.
What does Glutamine do?
Aside from being a vital building block for protein synthesis, Glutamine ‘is of fundamental importance to intermediary metabolism, interorgan nitrogen exchange via ammonia (NH3) transport between tissues, and pH homeostasis’ (Cruzat et al, 2018). It also plays a vital role in the ‘maintenance of cellular integrity and function’.
To put these in simpler terms, Glutamine plays a vital role in the metabolism and storage of energy, removal of ammonia, and maintaining the balance and stability of pH levels in the body.
In addition to these, research has shown that Glutamine is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. According to Cruzat et al, 2018, ‘cells of the immune system, such as lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, utilise Glutamine at high rates similar to or greater than glucose under catabolic conditions’. Catabolism describes the stage of metabolism where complex compounds are broken down to provide energy.
This has led to Glutamine being considered an important ‘immunonutrient’ to help support the immune system, especially when compromised after illness or during periods of recovery (Newsholme et al, 2022). Glutamine may also work as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to protect cells from oxidative stress by contributing to the synthesis of Glutathione (which is widely referred to as the body’s ‘master antioxidant’).
Glutamine has also been shown to have a positive effect on intestinal health by helping to modulate the permeability of the intestinal wall via tight junction proteins (Kim & Kim, 2017). Tight junctions within the gut produce a physical, dynamic barrier to control the transfer of nutrients, water, and molecules between the intestines and the bloodstream. If the intestinal wall is too permeable, as in it allows larger molecules to transfer into the blood, it could potentially lead to further issues, like an inflammatory response from the body.
Choosing the best L-Glutamine powder
When you’re looking for supplements to help you look after your overall health, you deserve the best. At Supplement Needs, we are widely regarded as the premium supplement provider of choice. Here’s why:
- Our supplements range is entirely evidence-based: our supplements have been formulated by Dr Dean St Mart PhD, who has a double first class honours degree in chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry and a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our entire range is expertly researched and developed to offer you optimum results.
- We promise total ingredient transparency: you know exactly what you’re getting with our supplements, as we adhere to a strict ingredient transparency policy. Find out which part of the plant our organic extracts come from, and even the form of our vitamins and minerals.
- Impeccable manufacturing: for maximum efficacy, safety, and consistency, all of our supplements are made right here in the UK in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and ISO standards.
Support your health with Supplement Needs
Glutamine supplements are just one part of caring for your health. For optimal health, consider stacking Supplement Needs’ Glutamine Powder with our Probiotics, Multivitamin and Mineral Pro and Digestive Stack.
We’ve even made it easy for you to do - with free delivery over £20, worldwide shipping available, and even same-day dispatch on orders made before 3pm Monday to Friday. What are you waiting for?