Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, And Their Athletic Edge
L-Glutamic acid is an amino acid first discovered in Germany in 1866, and is a key component of many foodstuffs, to which it contributes flavor. It is also involved in cellular metabolism, and a number of other essential biological functions, including the preservation of muscle tissue and glycogen replacement during exercise. For the latter reasons it is used as a supplement to provide and athletic edge to athletes.
First let’s have a look at the part played by L-Glutamic acid, its salts in the form of glutamates and the amino form glutamine. Glutamine is formed by substituting an amine group for a side-chain hydroxyl in glutamic acid, and each of these is one of the 20 amino acids necessary for the biochemical synthesis of the proteins that make up the tissue of the human body. In fact glutamine comprises over 60% of skeletal muscle tissue.
This level of glutamine rapidly diminishes during intensive training, resulting in reduced strength, stamina and muscular recovery time. In fact, after intensive exercise, it can take up to a week before the levels of glutamine in muscle tissue return to regular levels. A supplement of glutamic or glutamine can improve recovery times and prevent this reduction in muscular power. Not only that, but it is believed that glutamine might increase the production of human growth hormone by the body, helping to build new muscle and metabolize body fats.
Glutamine and glutamic acid help to increase glycogen levels, can be used as an emergency energy store, and can help to provide that athletic edge required under extreme conditions. Together these amino acids can reduce the breakdown the muscle, enable athletes to recover faster after intensive exercise, and to improve their athletic performance. It seems reasonable to assume, therefore, that a supplement can help to prevent the catabolism of muscle tissue, and to help restore glycogen levels after extensive periods of exercise.
Catabolism and anabolism are the opposite of each other. Anabolic reactions occur to form large molecules from smaller ones, such as the biosynthesis of muscle tissue by the conversion of amino acids to proteins. The catabolic reaction, on the other hand, is a breakdown of large molecules to smaller ones, frequently with the production of energy, but also for recycling or excretion.
Recent trends in sports nutrition has focused on reducing catabolism through nutrition and the adoption of anti-catabolic training techniques. This is because it is generally disadvantageous to athletes for catabolism to exceed anabolism. The result in such a case would be the net loss of protein, usually in the form of a loss of muscle tissue with the resultant reduction in performance and extension of muscle recovery time. Glutamine has demonstrated a positive effect in reducing catabolic tissue breakdown. This reduction in catabolism results in an increased level of performance, offering a potential athletic edge over your competitors.
The maintenance of a good level of human growth hormone within the blood also helps to protect against the debilitating effects of catabolism, providing another route by which glutamine helps to maintain muscle strength.
Such supplements may also help those who are shredding, or burning off fat without sacrificing muscle tissue. However, research on the effects of supplementation of L-Glutamic acid and glutamine is sparse and inconclusive, although those that use them swear by their effectiveness. Since they are regarded as dietary supplements they are not regulated by the FDA.
Another useful property of glutamine is provided by its two nitrogen side chains that render it the major molecule for transporting nitrogen into muscle cells. It is particularly useful in those cells that divide rapidly, such as those of the lining of the intestine and others that take part in the immune reaction such as the macrophages.
There are no adverse side effects from glutamic acid or glutamine when taken as supplements in moderation, for the simple reason that they are substances natural to the body. However, in some cases the body can convert excess glutamine into glucose, and as a result of this, diabetics are advised to be very careful about such supplements. For this reason, if you have any doubts, you should consult your doctor or physician prior to using L-glutamic acid or glutamine as a supplement.
Glutamine and glutamic acid also have an effect on the brain, and can improve overall mental health and performance. L-Glutamic acid is a major excitatory neurotransmitter, and is involved in the synthesis of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and is responsible for muscle tone. In fact, glutamine is used as an energy source by the brain, and in the absence of sufficient glucose the brain will increase the metabolism of glutamine to provide energy. As a result of this, many users of glutamine supplements report increased energy levels and improved mood.
Glutamic acid and glutamine help to maintain the correct pH level in the blood. It does this either by promoting the release of acidic hydrogen ions by the liver in the event of the blood being too alkaline, or if the blood is too acid extra glutamine is sent to the kidneys, releasing bicarbonate to reduce the pH to the correct level. It also helps to maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood, since it can be converted to glucose in the event that level of sugar in the blood is detected to be too low.
Between them both, L-Glutamic acid and glutamine help to maintain the health of your muscles and of your body in general in a number of different ways. In fact, not only is glutamine the most common non-essential amino acid in the human body, but glutamate is also the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.
However, it is for its effect on muscle tone, and the maintenance of muscle bulk that provides that athletic edge necessary for success that glutamic acid and glutamine are used as supplements. Their natural sources are fish, dairy products, beef, chicken, brassicas and beans, among others, and the sodium salt of glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, is well known as a flavor enhancer. Natural L-glutamine and glutamic acid is available at your local or internet health food store.
More information on L Glutamine and glutamic acid is available at VitaNet ®, LLC health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/glutamine-glutamic-acid-and-their-athletic-edge-893149.html
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