Glutamine is one of twenty amino acids that the body uses to construct new tissue in the body. While it is not one of the essential amino acids, being called a free amino acid because it is not a compound that is essential for the body to function, glutamine is still important for the formation of proteins and is often utilized by body builders to bulk up. Nevertheless, there are a number of health benefits to glutamine beyond growing muscle. Here are some of the more prevalent glutamine benefits you can get from consuming supplements or foods with glutamine.

Digestive Health – Glutamine is particularly effective at fortifying the digestive system by increasing the absorption capacity of the intestines, allowing food to be absorbed and disposed of quicker. Glutamine can also be helpful in treating certain gastrointestinal conditions like ulcers, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease by fueling enterocyte cells, healing cells that treat these conditions. This amino acid also promotes regularity through speeding up the rate of digestion.

Growth – Glutamine’s main benefit is its ability to increase production of human growth hormone naturally in the body. Human growth hormone drives skeletal and muscular growth, making these structure’s cells divide quicker and expand faster. Furthermore, glutamine increases the rate at which the metabolism utilizes stored fat, making it beneficial for dieters and people currently on a muscle building workout plan.

Brain Functioning - While more known for its ability to grow muscle mass, glutamine is actually a neurotransmitter, carrying information from one part of the brain to the other. This aids in cognition, memory, alertness and the ability to focus. Plus, glutamine can substitute for glucose in the brain, providing fuel during periods of privation.

Blood Sugar – Glutamine is an effective regulator of insulin, acting as a moderating influence on blood sugar levels to prevent a rapid increase or crash. This amino acid is also capable of coaxing out glycogen, which helps naturally raise and regulate blood sugar levels.

Muscle Health – Again, glutamine is an effective muscle health agent. Not only does it cause muscle to grow, glutamine prevents muscles from breaking down during times of stress or injury. The amino acid also controls nitrogen levels in the body and can fuel muscles with protein, providing fuel during times of exertion.

Performance – As with most amino acids, glutamine increases physical performance and can help fuel an athlete. Fuel is carried more efficiently throughout the body, as is oxygen, allowing runners and weight lifters to push their limits.

Glutamine can be found in a number of different sources. While available in a number of foods, such as red meat, fish, beans and dairy products, to get full glutamine benefit a more concentrated dose may be needed. Health supplements with glutamine come either as a pill or powder and are typically consumed before physical activity.