Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that is abundant in skeletal muscle and plasma. It serves as a precursor for protein synthesis and is involved in cellular energy metabolism. Its use as an athletic and exercise aid is primarily based on the hypothesis that intense exercise can deplete muscle glutamine stores, potentially impairing recovery, immune function, or muscle protein synthesis. While glutamine supplementation is popular among athletes, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for improving exercise performance or enhancing recovery is limited and mixed.

Several studies have investigated oral glutamine supplementation in athletes. Most research indicates that glutamine does not significantly enhance muscle strength, power, or aerobic performance in healthy individuals. Some studies suggest it may help reduce exercise-induced immune suppression, but the effects are generally modest and not consistently replicated. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews largely conclude that glutamine has little to no ergogenic effect for most athletes, though it may be beneficial in specific situations involving extreme stress or overtraining.

In summary, while the rationale for glutamine use in athletes is grounded in biochemistry and some early studies, the overall body of evidence does not robustly support its widespread use as an exercise aid. Its use is justified by a combination of scientific rationale and tradition, but the strength of evidence is low (rated 2/5).

More about Glutamine precursor (unspecified)
More about Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other health conditions supported by Glutamine precursor (unspecified)

Products containing Glutamine precursor (unspecified)