What kinds of stress cause glutamine depletion?
"Research is showing that glutamine depletion caused by stress can be activated by something as minor as a common cold and the level of depletion increases with the severity of the disease. Patients undergoing surgery, burn victims, those suffering acute trauma, as well as HIV and cancer patients will all find their glutamine levels severely depleted by their condition.
The important thing, as fitness enthusiasts, is to remember that stress related glutamine depletion does not only occur with illness, but also occurs due to stress caused by exercise.
Glutamine and it’s role in bodybuilding and exercise.
Intensive exercise will disrupt immune function, increase lactic acid and ammonium levels. High levels of ammonia can effect muscle function. Within the first five minutes of exercise glutamine levels will rise and catabolic hormones are released. But, the bad news for exercisers doesn’t stop there, because even at the conclusion of the exercise session the muscles will continue to release glutamine causing a severe depletion situation. And the harder you train the higher the rates of depletion.
Why does glutamine depletion happen so quickly? Because glutamine increases the hydration state of the muscle cells. Hydration of the muscle cells can change rapidly, and once the cells are dehydrated they enter a catabolic state. During times of catabolic stress research has shown that glutamine levels can drop by as much as 50%.
Overtraining will result in less gains, but also higher disease rates, infections and a poor immune system, due to the heavy demands place on the energy reserves of the body. Higher levels of training result in higher stress demands on the body, which lead to a reduction in plasma glutamine levels. Too little glutamine results in muscle loss.
Catabolic states, muscle loss, depletion, cell dehydration and muscle atrophy are phrases that weaken the knees of even the most seasoned of weightlifters or bodybuilders. How can one little supplement that is produced in abundance by the body be responsible for so many concerns?
According to Ronald Klatz, MD, President of the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine in Chicago, “Glutamine promotes the assimilation of nutrients, regulates protein synthesis, stimulates growth-hormone production and enhances the immune system.”
Weightlifters and bodybuilders need to realize that glutamine is critical for muscle building because it is a nitrogen donor, meaning that it moves the nitrogen around in the body to where it is needed. Anyone that pushes the iron understands that a positive
nitrogen balance is a necessary criteria in the effort to
gain muscle mass.
Entering the Krebs cycle as a non-carbohydrate source of energy, glutamine converts to glutamate and produces ATP which is an energy molecule. With adequate amounts of glutamine in the body through diet and/or supplementation, little or no muscle is broken down to provide glucose. And, remember, too little glutamine results in muscle atrophy. "
Additional benefits of supplementing with glutamine....
"As the chief source of energy for the intestines, glutamine aids in diseases that effect the lining of the intestines. In addition, it can reverse some of the intestinal damage caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen. And in it’s capacity to protect the brain from ammonia toxicity, glutamine is being researched with regard to it’s positive effects on neurodegenerative diseases. As an energy provider to the brain, glutamine is a mood elevator, improves mental performance and helps with long and short term memory.
Glutamine research continues to produce additional benefits of this supplement on a daily basis. With the apparent lack of side effects, it is a supplement that all in the fitness industry should give serious consideration. "
I could spend all day showing you stuff like this that is NOT from any supplement company....but I don't have time...I have read up on what I need to know, what you think is what you think...like I said, everyone has their own opinion and sources for those opinions. ..cheers buddy!
that is a new one on me. i take 30g a day and i use the powder..it is cheaper when taking as much as i do. as for whether it is worth it or not..i think so and i base my answer on research and what it has done for me.
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