Why ORAL glutamine is a complete and utter waste of money

[Shaved Ape]

Am J Surg 2002 Apr;183(4):471-9 Related Articles, Links


Reversal of cancer-related wasting using oral supplementation with a combination of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine.

May PE, Barber A, D'Olimpio JT, Hourihane A, Abumrad NN.

Department of Surgery/112, Veterans Affair Medical Center, 1000 Locust St., Reno, NV 85920, USA. [email protected]

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cachexia is caused by a diverse combination of accelerated protein breakdown and slowed protein synthesis. The hypothesis proposed in this study is that supplementation of specific nutrients known to positively support protein synthesis and reduce protein breakdown will reverse the cachexia process in advanced cancer patients. METHODS: Patients with solid tumors who had demonstrated a weight loss of at least 5% were considered for the study. Patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either an isonitrogenous control mixture of nonessential amino acids or an experimental treatment containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (3 g/d), L-arginine (14 g/d), and L-glutamine (14 g/d [HMB/Arg/Gln]). The primary outcomes measured were the change in body mass and fat-free mass (FFM), which were assessed at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (14 control, 18 HMB/Arg/Gln) were evaluated at the 4-week visit. The patients supplemented with HMB/Arg/Gln gained 0.95 +/- 0.66 kg of body mass in 4 weeks, whereas control subjects lost 0.26 +/- 0.78 kg during the same time period. This gain was the result of a significant increase in FFM in the HMB/Arg/Gln-supplemented group (1.12 +/- 0.68 kg), whereas the subjects supplemented with the control lost 1.34 +/- 0.78 kg of FFM (P = 0.02). The response to 24-weeks of supplementation was evaluated by an intent-to-treat statistical analysis. The effect of HMB/Arg/Gln on FFM increase was maintained over the 24 weeks (1.60 +/- 0.98 kg; quadratic contrast over time, P <0.05). There was no negative effect of treatment on the incidence of adverse effects or quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of HMB/Arg/Gln was effective in increasing FFM of advanced (stage IV) cancer. The exact reasons for this improvement will require further investigation, but could be attributed to the observed effects of HMB on slowing rates of protein breakdown, with improvements in protein synthesis observed with arginine and glutamine

 

[NapoleanComplex]

damnit...that shit was like 40 bones a kilo...fuck fuck fuck

OK...now that I got that out of my system, I can start saving my $$ to afford OTHER supplements that do work...

like creatine...Haaaaaaarrrrrr

 

[Shaved Ape]

OK I'll stop with the study abstracts and throw in my 2 cents:

1) Dozens of published manuscripts demonstrate the ability of oral glutamine administration to elevate plasma glutamine levels

2) Oral glutamine treatment can benefit select groups of clinical patients, such as those with intestinal dysfunction and wasting-related diseases.

3) Some studies show an ability of oral glutamine adminstration to increase plasma levels of other essential amino acids as well as plasma growth hormone.

Implications:
I'll first point out that there has been little in the way of conclusive research specifically demonstrating the benefits of oral glutamine supplementation on muscle growth or recovery, strength, or endurance in weight-trained athletes.

HOWEVER, we can intuitively speculate that an increase in plasma glutamine levels are likely to be beneficial, or at least not detrimental, in providing enhanced availability of the most abundant tissue amino acid for utilization in muscle repair or energy demands.

In addition, the fact that oral glutamine supplementation repeatedly has been shown to elevate plasma glutamine concentrations indicates that Fonz's claim about oral glutamine being completely degraded by the pH of the GI tract and thus useless as a supplement is inaccurate and that at least some significant portion of the ingested glutamine is absorbed into the bloodstream at some point.

We might also recognize that as a population, bodybuilders are likely to place higher-than-average stress on our gastrointestinal tracts simply due to the fact that we eat so many meals throughout the day, and such large quantities of macronutrients. The intestines are sites of extremely rapid cell turnover rates, as well as constant uptake of nutrients and fluid exchange. Thus we are likely to make use of the benefits of oral glutamine supplementation in maintaining intestinal tract health.

The specific impact of glutamine supplementation on exercise performance and muscular size, strength, and recovery in heavily trained athletes is still not clear. But it is definitely short-sighted to claim that oral glutamine supplementation is useless and a waste of money.

I'll give it a rest now, but would be glad to hear any educated observations or arguments against the points I've made here. Hopefully this discussion can clear up the issue for many of us.

 

[Rio 2001]

Plasma Glutamine comes mostly from " de novo " synthesis, meaning it will come from other aminoacids, mostly glutamate.
Oral ingestion of glutamine increases the level of glutamine precursors, like glutamate itself.
Glutamine peptides ( association of GLU with other AAs) were invented to solve the instability and low solubility problem of glutamine for use in parenteral nutrition, and it´s useless to increase absortion to the oral form.
Just reminding that glutamine has 2 amino groups, and it is an important nitrogen donor to promote synthesis of other aminoacids, including the ones that will turn in glutamine again ( de novo synthesis).
Industrie is using effects of the parenteral form to sell the oral one.
I don´t use it, just take my good share of protein and my body will make as much glutamine as it needs.

 

[Shaved Ape]

Bump for more from Fonz or others

 

[drmuscle]

There was a two part article in t-mag that delved into this issue. The synopsis seemed to be that unless you were a burn victim or otherwise traumatized, it is a waste of dollars.

Part 1:
http://www.t-mag.com/nation_articles/body_230glut.html

Part 2:
http://www.t-mag.com/nation_articles/body_231glut.html

 

[OMEGA]

guys I was like you I thought it was useless till I tried

"Glutamine Peptides"


the only challenge of Glutamine Peptides is that that it tastes mildley earthy, not bad just natural.

so you would have to mix it with a flavored beverage.

about 1 scoop of it to 3 scoops of a flavored protin powder

its a wonderfull addition to our nutrition especially for what we are ALL trying to do here





also "glutamine peptides" per serving contain 15 grams of Protien, of which incude almost the whole amino acid spectrum, and those amino acids are bound to glutamine in an inherantley stable matrix that your body breaks down thouhg out the whole process of digestion.

THUS IT IS BIOAVAILABLE FORM STOMACH TO COLON despite PH changes

 

[Triple J]

Based on this thread, I just ordered some glutamine.

I have used it in the past and thought it of some benefit. No need for more than 3-6 grams of L-glutamine needed per day IMHO.

 

[haxedout]

I can't believe some people still believe in this supplement BS.

There are only 5g of Amino Acids in the Blood stream at any given time. This is VERY tightly controlled by your body.

Out of those 5g of AA's, 61% is glutamine.

So, 3g of glutamine in the Blood stream at any given time.

95%(Probably more) of all ingested glutamine is destroyed by the stomach acids(PH is too acidic).

Whatever glutamine manages to survive the stomach intact, can only be used at a certain rate.

Assume, that there is a 66% depletion in Blood stream glutamine(Only 1g instead of 3g(61%))

Therefore, only 2g of glutaqmine can be absorbed by the bloodstream and theoretically be used.

So,what does this all mean:

Out of 100g of ORALLY ingested glutamine, only MAYBE 1-2g can be used AT MAXIMUM.

Complete and utter waste of money IMO.

Now IV Glutamine is another story. THAT works and is what the supplement companies show in websites to fool you.

Devious, devious supp companies.

Fonz

this is true, but what happens if your level drops below that 61%, its good to have a glutamine supplement to keep levels at a maximum, glutamine is a great amino, it helps me to heal and recover faster, 5g's of glutamine a day is not waste, i dont care how much of the shit you piss out...

 

[OMEGA]

Glutamine Peptides?