L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, and makes up more than 60% of the intramuscular amino acid pool. Since we are capable of making glutamine on our own, it was originally labeled a non-essential amino acid. However, most scientists now consider glutamine to be a "conditionally" essential amino acid, because under certain conditions we are unable to make adequate amounts and thus need to obtain it from outside sources.
Studies have shown that our body's concentration of glutamine is markedly decreased during times of severe bodily stress, such as during major surgery, burns, starvation, serious infections and even prolonged exercise.
Glutamine is involved in many metabolic processes. There is an increased demand for glutamine during stress associated with exercise, illness or trauma. Following an intense workout your body needs to replenish glutamine stores to aid in recovery. L-Glutamine can help increase muscle cell hydration and aid in protein synthesis.
Glutamine supplementation supports protein synthesis as well as the rate of glycogen production by serving as a carbon donor.
Glutamine acts as a type of fuel for cells, especially for rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes, colonocytes, lymphocytes and fibroblasts, serves as a fuel source for intestinal muscosal cells and nucleotide synthesis by lymphyctes. Glutamine is essential in the proper function of our digestive system, our immune system (our ability to fight infection) and our muscular system, to name a few.
Glutamine is a key component in the maintenance of healthy intestinal mucosa. Enterocytes (epithelial cells lining the small intestine) use glutamine as their primary fuel for metabolic function. It is felt that a lack of glutamine leads to a loss of epithelial cell integrity in the lining of the intestines. This, in turn, may allow toxins and infectious agents to enter the body.
Glutamine plays a major role in our infection-fighting "immune" system. Many immune cells, such as lymphocytes and macrophages, use glutamine as an energy source almost as much, if not more than, the amount of glucose they use for energy. Glutamine is also involved in the manufacture of other amino acids, including glutathione, an important intracellular antioxidant.
L-Glutamine plays an important role in many body functions such as proper immune system function, the transfer of nitrogen between organs, precursor to DNA, and regulation of protein synthesis and degradation.
L-Glutamine is vital in treating alcoholism, sugar cravings, epilepsy, mental disorders, maintaining blood sugar levels, enhancing gut immune function, bodybuilding, endurance, fat metabolism, regulating carbohydrate and protein, preventing lactic acid build up, brain and nerve functions, GI tract integrity, joint, and soft tissue maintenance.
Intro text
Amino acids 
