Glutamine: The Most Underrated Supplement

For my money, Glutamine is without a doubt one of the best of the lesser-known, non-hyped supplements on the market. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in muscle tissue. Studies have shown glutamine supplementation can prevent up to 70% of the muscle loss as the result of cortisol in the body (American Journal of Physiology 33:E 912-E917, 1996). 

This same study found that glutamine interfered with cortisol’s effects on the glutamine synthetase enzyme. Basically this means that glutamine helped prevent over training and lessened the catabolic effects of cortisol. 

Glutamine has also been shown to increase GH levels, enhance glycogen replenishment after training, and increase nitrogen retention—all of these positive outcomes aid in the promotion of lean muscle mass. 

Personally, I get much better results with glutamine than with creatine. But I get absolutely great results by combining the two on training days for an ultimate muscle-loading stack. 

Here’s are the details on the glutamine/creatine stack I use on my training days: 

MORNING: 
10 grams of glutamine (2 heaping teaspoons) dissolved in 16 oz of water. I add a bit of sodium to enhance cell uptake. 

LUNCH: 
5 grams of creatine (1 teaspoon) with 16 oz of grape juice and a bit of sodium. NOTE: I’m actually using 1 serving of Creatine HSC (my favorite creatine supplement) with 16 oz of water—it already contains the simple carbs and sodium to promote uptake. 

PRE-WORKOUT: 
10 grams of glutamine, 16 oz of water and sodium. 

POST-WORKOUT: 
10 grams of glutamine in post-workout carb drink (usually Ultrafuel or Gatorade). 

30 MINUTES LATER: 
5 grams of creatine in 16 oz juice or 1 serving Creatine HSC. 

BED TIME: 
10 grams of glutamine in 16 oz of water. 

As you can tell, I like glutamine in higher than average doses for optimum results. Again, this stack is used on training/workout days only. On non-training days, I simply get in 5-10 grams of creatine . . . no glutamine. In my opinion, this is one of the best "cell-volumizing" stacks you can