EndurElite Chief Endurance Officer Matt Mosman discusses why Glutamine, as a stand-alone supplement, is not effective at promoting muscle repair or decreasing muscle soreness.
Video Transcription:
Why Glutamine Supplementation Is Worthless For Muscle Repair & Recovery
Good morning endurance friends, Matt Mosman the endurance guru over at EndurElite coming at you with another endurance Fast Fact. Today's topic, the supplement glutamine. Now, here is probably what you've been told about glutamine your entire life, and I'm gonna put on my scientist voice for this.
What Is Glutamine?
"Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body where supplementation can help promote muscle recovery and decrease muscle soreness." Bullshit, bullshit. Oh, sorry excuse me, I have a wicked cough today.
Glutamine Does Not Help With Muscle Soreness Or Recovery
So, there is really no strong evidence to suggest that glutamine by itself can help promote muscle recovery and repair. Absolutely nothing really at all. Check out the research for yourself.
The Real Benefits Of Glutamine Supplementation
Now, that's not to say that all is lost with glutamine supplementation. Glutamine does have a few benefits. One, it can promote glycogen resynthesis. Now, glycogen is the stored form of glucose in the muscle in the liver and is a main source of energy, especially as exercise intensity gets higher and the duration goes longer. Two, glutamine supplementation can help with Krebs cycle function. Now, the Krebs cycle is pretty much the main energy system that the body uses during endurance exercise. And three, glutamine supplementation can help absorption of other ingredients whether that be supplements or carbohydrates or other compounds.
So glutamine, worthless for muscle repair and recovery by itself, good for glycogen resynthesis, Krebs cycle function, and the absorption of other ingredients. So that's your fast fact for today, my endurance friends. Until next time, stay fueled, stay focused and stay fast.
