Glutamine Review: Potent Appetite Suppressant, Craving Killer!

L- glutamine is an amino acid. It's also probably my most favorite supplement of all time, one I take pretty much all the time. No, L-glutamine is not sexy. You won't find it commanding full-page ads in your favorite health & fitness or body building magazines. And nobody talks about it much.

But really, it is an amazing supplement that anyone -- the dieter, the fitness fanatic and body builder, the chronically ill, cancer patients, and those recovering from surgery should be taking regularly.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are the "building blocks" of protein, and they are classified as "essential" (meaning the body cannot synthesize them itself and must obtain them from the diet), or "non-essential" (meaning the body can make them from various raw materials). Glutamine is considered "conditionally non-essential" meaning normally the body can make enough to meet its own needs. However, in times of stress or trauma the body can run low on l-glutamine, and needs to obtain extra from an outside source. Glutamine is also the most abundant amino in the human body, and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Its functions are many and its role is critical.

Normally glutamine is marketed to body builders because it has been shown to enhance muscle recovery, display anticatabolic behavior, increase protein synthesis, and muscle hydration -- all important stuff, you'll agree.

Contrary to popular belief, glutamine does not seem to improve performance. In fact, there are plenty of clinical studies that indicate glutamine has no positive effect on muscular performance whatsoever even at the appropriate high dosage. (See J Strength Cond Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):157-60, Sports Med. 2003;33(5):323-45).

Of course, glutamine does work indirectly to make you stronger.

It does so by improving glucose regulation, immune function, protein synthesis and promoting a positive nitrogen balance (see Can J Appl Physiol. 1999 Feb;24(1):1-14, JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1990 Jul-Aug;14(4 Suppl):40S-44S).

Therefore, it is still a vitally important supplement that should be used by every training athlete.

Glutamine For Craving Control

However, lately I've become convinced that glutamine shows great promise for dieters, diabetics, and anyone trying to lose weight or battle the fluctuating blood sugar levels that lead to carbohydrate cravings.

In my experience, glutamine is an amazing "craving killer."

Although glutamine's "diet" usage is not new, it is not commonly used to reduce craving for sweets. But that doesn`t mean that its carb-suppressing qualities have not been recognized previously.

Glutamine and the Atkins Diet

Those of you familiar with the Atkins' diet know Dr Atkins recommends supplementing with glutamine during his diet's initial period of extreme carbohydrate restriction to protect lean muscle mass. L-glutamine can also be metabolized into glucose for fuel if necessary—again, making it a critical supplement for low carb dieters as well.

However, new studies are examining the link between glutamine and glucose management in both the gut (where glutamine plays a huge role) and the kidneys and other tissues (see Kidney Int. 1999 Mar;55(3):778-92, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2001 Jul;4(4):267-71, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2005 Jul;8(4):445-9, Braz J Med Biol Res. 2003 Feb;36(2):153-63. Epub 2003 Jan 29).

My own experience with glutamine (which does not constitute real evidence, of course) appears to bear out its glucose regulating effects. I've found that glutamine supplementation has been amazingly effective at absolutely eliminating late night cravings for carbohydrate based junk foods.

My normal solution for cravings such as these has been to take 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid prior to my meals. Lately however, even this had proved to be ineffective.

Glutamine, on the other hand, worked absolute miracles for me! (I am taking approximately 30 grams of glutamine per day in two divided doses. I found it took about a week to realize the effects, but once I did... wow!).

As such, l-glutamine has now become my #1 recommended supplement as a craving killer!

Other Glutamine Benefits

Glutamine may function as a natural GH-booster as well.

A recent study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that oral supplementation with as little as 2 grams (about half a teaspoon) of glutamine significantly elevated circulating growth hormone levels!

Other benefits of glutamine supplementation include...

• Promotes gastrointestinal health.
• Speeds the healing of wounds, and is of great use as a "surgical recovery" supplement.
• Boosts the immune system (in dosages of 20-40 grams daily).
• Protects the liver from damaging effects of chemotherapy.
• Curbs the desire to consume alcohol.
• Is a building block of several important neurotransmitters supplementation may contribute to enhanced brain function.

Because glutamine offers some many substantiated benefits, retailers throw it into all sorts of supplements—bodybuilding supplements, weight loss products and blood sugar moderators, as well as general health products.

99 times out of a 100, these products contain a mere sprinkling of ingredient—not enough to provide any perceptible benefit. Remember, glutamine needs to be consumed in a multi-gram dosage to provide any benefit.

Any product that contains less than that is usuing glutamine for label dressing—to make the label appear more impressive than it is.

Supplementing With Glutamine

L-glutamine is a tasteless, odorless white powder. It can be mixed with water, juice, or diet pop, as long as it is consumed immediately—glutamine will not stay in suspension very well, and will quickly accumulate at the bottom of a glass. The key to consuming it therefore, is to stir rapidly, and guzzle it all back at once.

To get the greatest benefits from L-glutamine, I recommend taking 5 -15 grams (2-3 teaspoons) twice daily. It should be taken on an empty stomach before bed and immediately upon rising for greatest effect, although you can take it pretty much anytime, and even mix it iinto your protein shake if you prefer.

Bodybuilders (especially those on "cutting phases") and those on the severe carbohydrate restriction period of the Atkins diet may wish to double this, and add two more divided doses.

If you're looking to use glutamine as a craving killer, give it a week before you expect to see any results. Start with a higher dose (15 grams twice daily) and taper it back once you begin to feel the effects.

You can buy glutamine just about anywhere online, but we recommend BodyBuilding.com; their service is quick and professional.

Don't buy capsules though—you'll need to take too many for that to be cost effective or practical (you really need to take a minimum of 5 grams per serving to see any results). Buying 1,000 grams worth of glutamine is your best bet -- at 20-30 grams per day, that will last you slightly over a month. I use the AllMax brand... it mixes well and delivers good value.

Visit BodyBuilding.com for glutamine -- click here! Any way you want to slice it, glutamine is a winner. Two thumbs up, highly recommended!