[OP 01292]

L glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and plasma. Over 60% of the free-floating amino acid pool in skeletal muscle cells is made up of L glutamine. It is also a primary nitrogen donor, meaning that it moves the nitrogen around in the body to where it is needed. Maintaining a positive nitrogen balance is absolutely necessary for muscle building.

L glutamine was once considered a non-essential amino acid because the body can make its own from the amino acids glutamic acid, isoleucine and valine. Recently, however, is has become known as a conditionally essential amino acid because in times of physical stress, such as intense exercise and surgery, the body requires more of it to maintain its glutamine stores in blood and muscle. When glutamine stores are depleted, you may experience decreases in strength, stamina, and recovery.

In addition to glutamine?s role in muscle maintenance, it is also a key amino acid for intestinal stress and maintaining the immune system. Whenever you are under stress (colds, flu, stress at home or work), you run the risk of your body robbing L glutamine needed for muscle maintenance. Under these circumstances, L glutamine becomes a conditional amino acid, meaning the body can?t make enough on its own to meet the demands of the added stress.