How does glutamine work? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

How does glutamine work?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

Full Bio →

Written by

UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

Advertiser Disclosure

It’s all about your brand. Let us do the heavy lifting.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident fitness software decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. Our partners do not influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

Editorial Guidelines: The Editorial Team at Exercise.com is dedicated to providing fair, unbiased information about the fitness industry. We update our site regularly and all content is reviewed by credentialed fitness experts.

Get the Basics...

  • Glutamine works with your immune system to aid your body’s efforts to fix itself after exercise or injury.
  • Glutamine is produced by your body and obtained through your food. In fact, there is more glutamine than any other amino acid in your body.
  • You can obtain more glutamine by eating foods that have a high glutamine content such as yogurt, meat, and raw leafy greens. There is also a huge selection of supplements you can purchase.

Glutamine supplements have been praised for everything from increasing energy to healing wounds, leading many to wonder how glutamine works.

In short, glutamine works with your immune system to aid your body’s efforts to fix itself after exercise or injury.

Glutamine also reacts with your brain and other internal organs to keep you sharp and focused.

The human body is a most wondrous machine and like any machine, you must take care of it and give it the attention it needs to make it operate properly.

Every little part of your body influences the others and when one part is out of order it has a domino effect on everything else.

Glutamine is one of your body’s tools to keep itself in balance.

Along with nutrients like glutamine, exercise is crucial for your overall health. Go PRO today for access to workout plans, certified personal trainers, goal trackers, and more.

What Is Glutamine Made Of?

There are many amino acids in various parts of your body all working to keep you in top shape, and glutamine is one of them. It is considered one of the nonessential amino acids.

Glutamine is produced by your body and obtained through your food. In fact, there is more glutamine than any other amino acid in your body.

For everyday life, most of us have an abundance of the glutamine that we require.  Since your body is constantly generating more in your lungs and then stockpiling it in your muscles, there is always a perpetual supply.

How Does Glutamine Work?

Glutamine acts as a defender in your body by strengthening your immune system. Each day we are bombarded by germs and other foreign substances like pollution and smoke which could make you ill. Glutamine helps in the fight by increasing your body’s production of antioxidants such as glutathione to combat these dangerous materials.

Waste products need to be flushed from your system as soon as possible to prevent illness and sluggishness, and glutamine helps do this. By removing substances such as ammonia from your body, glutamine works to maintain the correct equilibrium so that everything functions as it should.

This super nutrient is very important for your digestive system as well because it protects the inner layer of these organs so that they run smoothly. Research has discovered that much of your immune functions are located in the stomach and digestive organs. Glutamine equips the appropriate cells in this area with the nutrients they need.

All this becomes especially important at times when your body is in need of repair. Your body has an amazing capacity for self-healing. If you have enough glutamine in your body, this will help to ensure that all your systems are performing in peak condition during the healing process.

Get More Out of Your Health and Fitness Routine. Go PRO!

Sign Up

How Does Glutamine Help Athletes?

Glutamine helps your body to heal itself. This is crucial for athletes and bodybuilders who are constantly trying to repair and grow their muscles. Muscle is built while your body is relaxed.

Once you have pushed your muscles to exhaustion, it is critical that you give them the proper fluids, nutrients, and plenty of rest. If your body’s ability to heal itself is impaired in any way, this development does not occur correctly. When you are working hard to create large or lean muscle but don’t see results, it is easy to get discouraged and quit.

Studies have shown that some athletic competitors become ill with viruses or infections after a big contest. Many of them tout the benefits of glutamine for a quick recuperation and revitalization. A lot of glutamine is used when your body is hurt or sick.

Where Can You Get Glutamine?

You can obtain more glutamine by eating foods that have a high glutamine content such as yogurt, meat, and raw leafy greens. There is also a huge selection of supplements you can purchase.

Glutamine can be found as a solo supplement at nutrition stores and online, typically in capsules or pills. You will also find it mixed in among elements in quality protein products such as powders and energy bars.

Following the instructions on the package will guarantee the safety of glutamine supplements. Nevertheless, there have been instances where people display sensitivity to glutamine. If you think you could be one of them, it would be wise to check with your doctor.

It is important to note that glutamine is related to monosodium glutamate. If you are allergic to these substances, glutamine may not be safe for you to use.

No supplement routine is complete without being paired with a solid exercise routine. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more. 

Learn more about Exercise.com Fitness Business Management Software.

Schedule your demo today.