Glutamine is probably one of the most controversial supplements in the fitness industry. Most people use it to build muscle or to aid in fat loss. There have been a lot of studies on glutamine in humans lately and all of them have shown that it has no effect on protein synthesis and protein turnover. So, if you think glutamine can help you to build muscle, forget it. The same goes with altering the exercise-induced suppression of the immune system; glutamine does nothing in that department either. There are however, some warranted uses of glutamine supplementation.

Here are five possible applications:

1. For severe ill patients, or people treated with corticosteroids, or people suffering from wasting conditions to aid in preventing muscle breakdown: 3 to 30 grams a day.
2. For people with Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders such as Crohn’s, Colitis and irritable bowel or after bowel surgery/treatment: 10 to 30 grams a day.
3. As an acute GI healing protocol in people who’ve had bad eating habits for a long time and can’t seem to gain weight: 40 to 80 grams a day for 3 to 4 days. It helps to repair the gut lining so they can absorb food better.
4. For a quick spike in insulin together (synergistic) with BCAA, protein and carbs: 3 to 5 grams post workout.
5. To use it with obese people during weight loss as a substitute to carbohydrates in order to replace glycogens after a workout. Charles Poliquin uses this strategy a lot, and he recommends about 60 grams post-workout with no carbs whatsoever.

So, there you have it. Now consider your own situation. Is glutamine really worth your money? You decide.