Glutamine And It's Side Effects
Author: Terry Bytheway

Glutamine, one of the twenty special amino acids that have been
encoded by the standard genetic code, is also one of the most
common amino acids that occur naturally in the human body. It
makes up more than sixty percent of the skeletal muscle tissue,
and is fuel for both the digestive tract and the immune system,
while also playing a pivotal role in responsibly conducting
nitrogen to muscles around the body. High concentrations of
Glutamine are especially available in the brain, the gut
lining, the lungs, the heart, the kidney, the liver, and the
muscles. In short, no human body can survive without this vital
amino acid; in fact most bodybuilders and athletes use it as a
supplement to enhance their performance or to strengthen
themselves physically. Glutamine can be found in protein
powders (mostly favored by the likes of athletes,
weightlifters, and bodybuilders); and is also rich in other
high-protein foods including fish, red meat, beans, poultry and
dairy products.

While the human body does not take well to anything taken in
excess, however useful it might be, studies regarding the side
effects of excess Glutamine use have even churned out
inconclusive results. Still, it's safe to say that it's never a
good idea to take high doses, and it has been proved that excess
use might lead to an an upset stomach, if nothing else.

It is now widely believed that since Glutamine occurs naturally
in the human body, supplementing a diet with the amino acid
comes free of any major health risks or adverse side effects,
as long as it's done in low doses. In fact, it is mostly
encouraged; Glutamine deficiency is so common in our day, that
medical practitioners check for Glutamine deficiency as one of
the primary tests when searching for clues in patients with
symptoms of chronic illnesses or dysfunction in cognitive
functioning and mood swings.

Nevertheless, it's important to understand that anybody
thinking of starting a regimen including Glutamine supplements
should consult a physician or nutritionist first; especially
those suffering from either Type I or Type II diabetes since
they are usually advised to exercise extreme caution with
respect to Glutamine powders or supplements. This is mainly
because surplus amounts of Glutamine in the human body are
broken down by the liver and the kidneys for the production of
glucose.

Aside from being used as a diet supplement by bodybuilders and
athletes, Glutamine has been deemed effective in treating
muscle cramps or pain in the elderly. It can also speed up the
Krebs Cycle and aid in weight loss while retaining muscle mass.
However, the principle use of Glutamine is still the
replenishment of the body's stores of amino acids; which is why
supplementation is considered particularly healthy after
strenuous exercise or long workouts. Furthermore, people
suffering from any kind of physical trauma, immune
deficiencies, or cancer also tend to find Glutamine very
helpful.

Thus, as the article suggests, Glumatine use (in a controlled
manner) has many favorable effects, yet most often comes free
of any adverse side effects; which is why it's become such a
popular fixture on the market for health supplements.


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