How to Build Muscle With Glutamine
June 5th, 2010 | by admin |Along with whey protein and creatine, glutamine is one of the most popular supplements in building muscles. We shall find out why it is so, and how we can make use of this wonderful supplement to build bigger muscles.
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in our muscles. Its main roles in our body are immunity and protein synthesis. How glutamine is able to increases protein synthesis by lowering the rate in which body proteins are broken down. As a result of this effect, overall net change of the protein synthesized in our body increases. Supplementing with glutamine thus not only allows us to build more muscles, but it also makes us less prone to diseases.
One more thing that many people do not know is that glutamine is linked to growth hormone levels. Research has shown that as little as 2g of glutamine ingested resulted in an increase of growth hormone levels in the body by a whopping 400%! As growth hormone levels are also directly linked to muscle synthesis, just think of how much muscles your body will be building with glutamine!
In order to make full use of your supplementation of glutamine, it is important you take it with your post-workout protein shake. Its anti-catabolic properties as described above will instantly transform your body into a giant anabolic muscle factory! About 20-30 minutes after your workout, take in 5g of glutamine together with your protein shake.
Another good time to take your glutamine will be in the morning after you wake up. After a long night of fasting, your body wakes up in a catabolic state. Taking in glutamine will reverse this immediately, switching your body to full anabolic mode! Again, after you wake up, take in 5g of glutamine with your breakfast.
Recommended dosages are around 5g each time. Glutamine is not known to have any drastic side effects as a result of overdose. From experience, taking in up to 15g has not given me any drastic side effects. Only a minority have reported stomach pains or diarrhea.
When buying your glutamine supplement, please do make sure that you are buying a reputable brand.