| There has been much debate surrounding | | | | being tested." Dr. Stephen Wangen in his book |
| glutamine in the weight training world. It was | | | | "Healthier Without Wheat" clarifies "Do not be |
| touted as a recovery booster/fat mobilizer | | | | confused by the fact that gliadins contain |
| muscle sparing/ all that and a bag o' chips for | | | | glutamine. This does not mean that glutamine is a |
| many moons, and turns out that the research | | | | problem for people who are gluten intolerant, nor |
| doesn't support that position. (Gleeson M, Dosing | | | | does it mean that glutamine should be avoided. In |
| and efficacy of glutamine supplementation in | | | | fact the opposite is true..." |
| human exercise and sport trainingJ Nutr. 2008 | | | | Note: Glutamine can be found in two forms, and |
| Oct;138(10):2045S-2049S among others.) | | | | this is particulary important to note if you have |
| Where glutamine may have limited benefit from a | | | | celiac disease or gluten intolerance. There is |
| sports performance/physique enhancement | | | | L-glutamine, which is the free form amino acid, |
| perspective, it may be much more useful for gut | | | | and glutamine peptides. Glutamine peptides are |
| health. | | | | often sourced from wheat, and can cause a |
| First of all, what is glutamine? Glutamine is an | | | | reaction in those with sensitivity. Avoid glutamine |
| amino acid. It is considered conditionally essential | | | | peptides, and if you choose to supplement look |
| (meaning there may be times when the body | | | | for L-glutamine. |
| cannot produce enough, and it must be ingested | | | | Dr. Wangen states that due to the fact that the |
| through the diet.) The gut tissue has been found | | | | small intestine uses glutamine as a primary energy |
| to absorb up to 65-76% of ingested glutamine. | | | | source, providing extra L-glutamine can assist in |
| Also, glutamine is used for fuel by the cells in your | | | | speeding the healing of the digestive tract. He |
| body that fight disease and infection. When | | | | recommends a dose of 3 grams (3,000 mg) split |
| plasma glutamine levels are lowered, this can | | | | into 3 doses throughout the day. |
| contribute to suppresion of the immune system. | | | | Shari Lieberman also discussed L-glutamine |
| In short, glutamine helps reduce inflammation, | | | | supplementation in her book "The Gluten |
| improve immunity, promote repair, and assist in | | | | Connection." She recommended 500 mg-3 grams |
| production of other important factors in the gut. | | | | of L-glutamine. |
| I have to note that in looking through the | | | | There also have been studies of non-celiac |
| scientific research, I have found studies that | | | | endurance athletes which have shown protective |
| support these statements, and other studies | | | | immune system qualities when the training load is |
| where no significant difference has been shown. | | | | high. |
| As always, this is a case of buyer | | | | So what does this mean to the celiac or gluten |
| beware-educate yourself, discuss it with your | | | | intolerant athlete? |
| doctor or healthcare practioner, and make an | | | | It means that supplementing with L-glutamine |
| informed decision. It will not hurt you, but it may | | | | may be a worthwhile expense. If you are training |
| not help either. There has been quite a bit of | | | | hard, your immune system and gut can use all |
| supporting evidence that it is beneficial for gut | | | | the help it can get with recovery. It can help with |
| health. | | | | antioxidant control of free radicals produced in |
| Some of you may be thinking-"But glutamine is an | | | | exercise. By maximizing your gut health, you are |
| amino acid found in gliadin-and a reaction to gliadin | | | | maximizing absorption and therefore fuel. |
| is what is examined when gluten intolerance is | | | | |