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L-Glutamine | What Is It & What Does It Do? Benefits & Side Effects

Claire Muszalski
Writer and expert3 years ago
View Claire Muszalski's profile

Glutamine is produced by the body and available in everyday foods, but is also a popular supplement due to its variety of potential health and performance benefits. 

Glutamine exists in two different forms, L-glutamine and D-glutamine, which only vary in molecular structure. In this article, we will focus on the specific health benefits and side effects of L-glutamine.

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What is Glutamine?

Glutamine Food Sources

Benefits of L-Glutamine

Dosage

Timing

Potential Side Effects

FAQs

What is Glutamine? 

Glutamine, specifically L-Glutamine, is an amino acid (a building block of protein). Amino acids and proteins play many vital roles in our body. Specifically, glutamine helps with the transport of carbon and nitrogen (used for cell division and growth) in our bodies and plays roles in neural function, intestinal function, and boosting our immune system. 

It is made by the body in our muscle tissue and is therefore considered “non-essential”. This means that we don’t have to strictly consume it from our diet. However, when our body is under physical (metabolic) stress, it may require more glutamine than it makes on its own. 

This need for additional glutamine, when our body is using it in higher amounts, supports the argument that L-glutamine is actually “conditionally essential” – meaning there are times when it’s necessary to consume more than what our body produces. 

It makes sense that making our muscles work hard would demand more L-glutamine – since they’re responsible for creating it in the body. Instances during which our body comes under stress, makes it require additional glutamine. 

 

Food Sources 

Dietary sources of L-glutamine include a variety of foods, from animal foods like eggs and beef to vegetable sources like rice or corn. Due to this wide availability in food, following a healthy diet can provide adequate L-glutamine for most people. However, during exercise, L-glutamine production changes based on the type and intensity of activity. 

Because L-glutamine is crucial for muscle building, increasing our levels via supplementation after exercise can be beneficial. L-glutamine supplementation may have a greater benefit on those who have less protein in their diets, like vegans or vegetarians. This is because they may naturally have less of this amino acid. 

Many sports supplements are targeted towards strength training, but L-glutamine has potential benefits for both power exercise and endurance exercise.

 

Benefits 

Quick Recovery 

Research has shown that athletes can benefit from L-glutamine supplementation to decrease muscle soreness and faster recovery time. 

This amino acid plays a crucial role in controlling glucose (energy) uptake by the muscles after exercise, which can help restore their energy stores for your next workout. When your muscles have optimal glucose stores, you can perform better and take longer to fatigue. 

Long periods of strenuous training have been shown to decrease blood glutamine levels, making it a potentially useful supplement for your post-workout nutrition plan. 

  

Increased Lean Body Mass and Power 

When combined with creatine, L-glutamine supplementation has been shown to increase lean body mass and power with endurance exercise. 

Studies have shown additional potential benefits, such as: 

  • Limited strength loss and reduced muscle soreness
  • Feeling less fatigued
  • Longer time until exhaustion in endurance exercise

  

Boost in Immunity 

Additionally, athletes who follow intense training schedules tend to have weakened immune systems due to the constant physical stress of high-intensity exercise. 

Research shows that L-glutamine plays a role in both immune cell production (having enough to fight off germs) and the gut’s function as a physical barrier to infection. For these reasons, there may be a potential benefit to your immune system from an L-glutamine supplement as well.

 

Dosage 

Intakes of 20-30g of glutamine or 0.65g/kg of body mass have been used in research studies and not shown any ill effects in short term use. However, you likely only need 3-5g daily to meet your body’s needs. 

Myprotein offers several glutamine options - follow the packaging dosage to use 1-2 scoops per day. 

 

Timing 

Because glutamine has shown to be in lower concentrations after intense training sessions, it’s popular to take it after a workout to help your muscles to rebuild and grow - but it’s not the only time of day to use it. 

It can be taken on its own or as part of your post-workout protein shake since protein is another key for muscle recovery and building. Glutamine’s role in controlling glucose (energy) usage during workouts means it can also be useful to take it before a workout. 

For these reasons, the timing is primarily based on your goals - if you struggle with energy and pushing through to finish your workout, add it to your pre-workout shake or meal. 

If your goal is simply to boost your recovery and muscle turnover, take it with your post workout shake. If you’re training for long periods of time, you can even add it to water that you sip throughout the workout.

 

Potential Side Effects 

L-glutamine is partially metabolised to ammonia, which can increase blood ammonia and blood glutamate levels in high doses. 

Studied doses of glutamine ranged from 5-28 grams per day, with a published observed safe level of a maximum of 14 grams per day, and no increase in plasma ammonia levels. 

There are limited potential sides effects of taking L-glutamine every day, as it’s both made by the body and present in many foods. 

Always consult your doctor before taking L-glutamine or other supplements if you have any concerns.

FAQs 

What are the benefits of L-Glutamine? 

The benefits of L-Glutamine include faster recovery and between workouts, increased lean body mass and power, and a boost to your immune system. 

What is L-Glutamine? 

L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning your body produces it naturally. However, when your body is under metabolic stress, supplementing it may be beneficial. 

When should I take L-Glutamine? 

The best time to take L-Glutamine is pre- and post-workout, in order to replenish stores which are depleted as you train.

Take Home Message 

L-glutamine is an important amino acid that plays many roles in our bodies regardless of our level of exercise. However, the stress that exercise puts on our body can deplete our L-glutamine levels, making it a useful supplement for athletes. 

It shows many potential benefits to performance, recovery, and body mass, with limited side effects. It can also be useful to boost our immune system and help sustain adequate levels in those who follow low-protein diets.

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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.

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Claire Muszalski
Writer and expert
View Claire Muszalski's profile

Claire is a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a board-certified Health and Wellness Coach through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh.

Talking and writing about food and fitness is at the heart of Claire’s ethos as she loves to use her experience to help others meet their health and wellness goals.

Claire is also a certified indoor cycling instructor and loves the mental and physical boost she gets from regular runs and yoga classes. When she’s not keeping fit herself, she’s cheering on her hometown’s sports teams in Pittsburgh, or cooking for her family in the kitchen.

Find out more about Claire’s experience here.

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