GLUTAMINE – AMINO ACID

Glutamine is found in abundance in the muscles of the body.  It readily passes through the blood brain barrier, and consequently is a primary brain fuel.  In the brain Glutamine is converted into Glutamic Acid, which promotes cerebral functioning.

Glutamine is known to enhance the balance between acid and alkaline in the body.  It is also a basis of the building blocks for the synthesis of RNA and DNA.  As amino acids breakdown, nitrogen is released wich can induce the formation of ammonia.  Ammonia is toxic to brain tissue and other tissues of the body, and is converted to no-toxic substance by Glutaminem, thus ridding the body of excess ammonia in its tissues.

This amino acid helps to build and maintain muscle tissue and is found in large quantities in muscle tissue.  Adequate Glutamine in muscle tissue is essential in preventing muscle-wasting during prolonged bed rest while recovering from disease or injury.  During times of illness and stress as much as 33 percent of Glutamine in tissue can be released to the bloodstream, furthering the potential atrophy of muscle tissue.

It has been found supplemental L.-Glutamine can be helpful in treating autoimmune disease, arthritis, fibrosis, intestinal disorders, connected tissue disease, certain ulcers, and tissue damage due to radiation treatment for cancer.  L.-Glutamine has been used to trat a variety of problems in the developmental disability area, including epilepsy, impotence, senility, schizophrenia, fatigue.

Glutamine is found in many foods.  However, cooking of foods easily destroys Glutamine.  Consequenty, eating raw spinach and parsley are the best sources of a natural Glutamine supplementation.  Actual supplemental Glutamine must be kept dry or it will degrade into ammonia and pyroglutamic acid.

Glutamine should not be taken by individuals suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, Reye’s syndrome, or amy element involving accumulation of ammonia in the blood.