glutamine

[javaguru]

According to Michael Colgan in his book, "Optimum Sports Nutrition" L-Glutamine quickly degrades when ingested orally, he suggests taking OKG which provides substrates for glutamine synthesis. Also, BCAA's can be readily converted into glutamine by the body. I prefer taking BCAA's during my workout but I'm going to experiment with 10g OKG during my workout with my BCAA"s(20g)to see if the ammonia scavenging/ anti-catabolic properties have any noticable effect. I'm dieting so the anti-catabolic properties of BCAA"s with a small amount of dextrose are more important than bulking when you have excess calories.

 

[FunkMasterFlex]

yeah OKG and KIC.....maybe thats why pinnacles Nox2 acutally works for ppl.....A-AKG and KIC ...but he says 4 grams of each....OKG taste like crap and KIC both are expensive as hell

 

[javaguru]

BAC sells 100g of OKG for $18.00 so it's not outrageously expensive if you want 4-5g on workout days.

 

[2supreme]

I am a glutamine fan. It's relatively inexpensive and there is quite a bit of research supporting its use for athletes. The benefits to the immune system are an added bonus.

Here is some information from supplementwatch.com:

In recent years, at least a half-dozen studies have been conducted on glutamine supplementation in athletes and a strong basis exists for the efficacy of glutamine supplements in athletic populations. For example, glutamine’s role in immune system support has been shown to prevent infections following intense bouts of physical activity – which tend to reduce plasma glutamine levels. Glutamine supplements have also been shown to play a role in counteracting the catabolic (muscle-wasting) effects of stress hormones such as cortisol, which are typically elevated by strenuous exercise. The function of glutamine in stimulating glycogen synthase, the enzyme which controls the synthesis and storage of glycogen fuel storage in muscles and liver, may provide a mechanism by which glutamine supplements promote enhanced fuel stores. Glutamine supplements cause a rapid rise in cellular glutamine levels and glutamine stores in muscle. Glutamine is also thought to increase cell volume, where it may stimulate the activity of enzymes in the liver and muscles involved in glycogen storage as well as those involved in anabolic activities such as protein synthesis. Glutamine supplements have also been hypothesized to increase levels of growth hormone, which may be expected to help stimulate protein synthesis and encourage gains in muscle mass and strength, but reliable evidence for this effect of glutamine supplements has not been demonstrated by clinical studies.