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Glutamine: One of the biggest suppplement scams

J jsorb8997100+ posts
I've seen multiple people on this website state that they take the amino acid L-Glutamine. The idea behind Glutamine is this: Since Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in skeletal muscle, more must be better...

Glutamine is already produced in large enough concentrations by the human body, and will have no effect taken orally by a healthy individual. Studies show that Glutamine only benefits those who already have a weakened immune system (I.E. burn victims). Glutamine is adminstered intravenously in these cases anyway...

So, unless you're a burn victim taking massive doses through an IV, Glutamine has scientifically proven to be worthless.

Posted by str8flexed, a PHD student specializing in Amino Acid metabolism:

The purpose was to determine if glutamine supplementation would prevent a loss of lean mass in athletes during a 12-day weight reduction program. It was hypothesized that supplementation would spare lean body mass. Subjects (n=18) exercised and dieted to create a 4186kJ·day-1 energy deficit and a 8372 kJ·day-1 energy deficit on days 1-5, days 6-12, respectively. The glutamine (GLN) group (n=9) ingested 0.35 g·kg-1 body mass of glutamine while a placebo was administered to the remaining subjects. Body mass (BM), lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM), were measured at days 0, 6, and 12. GLN and placebo groups both lost significant amounts of BM, LBM and FM. There were no significant differences between groups. The findings indicate little benefit for retention of lean mass with supplementation of glutamine during a short-term weight reduction program.

Glutamine supplementation did not benefit athletes during short-term
weight reduction
Kevin, J. Finn, Robin Lund and Mona Rosene-Treadwell
http://www20.uludag.edu.tr/%7Ehakan/...4/7/v2n4-7.htm
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spinedocspinedoc100+ posts
I have never heard anyone promise that Glutamine will spare muscle tissue when dieting. I thought it was more for packing on weight.

I will admit that there isn't a ton of research on Glutamine, but all I care about is results. Every athlete I know that uses Glutamine has put on more weight while using it then when they were not, simple as that.
J jsorb8997100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Doyle:
Certainly not the biggest scam. There are plenty others that fall in their.

Certainly a great recovery aid when used properly. Best to use around training. Before, during, after.

While I don't think it's necessary, it's not a scam. Especially since the price has dropped significantly in recent years.


For how often it is recommended, I think it is one of the biggest scams. There is no scientific literature to back up the claim that it aids in recovery (besides intravenously on burn victims, with a dose of 40+ grams). There are people that claim that it works, but to your point on NO, science overwhelmingly does not support this.
J jsorb8997100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Doyle:
A scam is boron, Cybernetics, chromium picolinate, etc. I can go on forever. Not sure how old you are but you may not remember some of these.

Glutamine, which certainly not a miracle supp, is not a scam by any means.


Yeah, although I'm 17 I've heard of these supps (isn't it Cybergenics? Haha). Maybe I should have been more clear and titled this Glutamine: One of the worst supplements. Honestly, for how much Glutamine is pimped everywhere you'd think there might be a shred of science behind it. Oh well. If people think it works, then fine. Placebo can be the most powerful supplement.

If you'd like some further info on this matter I can give you Layne's (str8flexd) email address. He is an expert on Amino Acid metabolism.
Last edited by jsorb8997
JD Jon Doyle1,000+ posts
Glutamine is not great, but it certainly can be a good addition to a program, especially combined with BCAA's at wrokout time, is beneficial.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but at age 17 your training experience is limited. I am not taking a swing at you, as you seen very eager to learn and develop. It's just that you certainly need more data than simply reading message boards to draw conclusions.

I don't really see Glutamine pimped that much anymore. Maye I am immune to it, but I see Nitric Oxide products pimped a whole heck of a lot more.

HMB...now that was the biggest scam ever in bodybuilding.
J jsorb8997100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Doyle:
Glutamine is not great, but it certainly can be a good addition to a program, especially combined with BCAA's at wrokout time, is beneficial.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but at age 17 your training experience is limited. I am not taking a swing at you, as you seen very eager to learn and develop. It's just that you certainly need more data than simply reading message boards to draw conclusions.

I don't really see Glutamine pimped that much anymore. Maye I am immune to it, but I see Nitric Oxide products pimped a whole heck of a lot more.

HMB...now that was the biggest scam ever in bodybuilding.


I understand. I've only been lifting for four years as it is, but I've read sources outside the message boards. The bb.com boards are probably the best all-around boards on the internet, for anyone looking to learn about nutrition/sports/weightlifting/etc. They aren't for just bodybuilders. NO is definitely pimped more than glutamine nowadays from what I've seen at least.

I love discussing all this stuff as you can see...great to have an expert to chat with. I appreciate all of your responses.

In real life I have used glutamine more than once...never helped. But anyway, to each his own. I'm actually about to drink some grape Substance WPI right now. Now on to Cissus! Big Grin
U UpstateNY2008100+ posts
I think of all of them as scams, especially since marketing typically tricks new users into thinking that the product they are trying to sell is the miracle supplement. Results will only be seen if the persons diet is in check and his routine is one that will help result in the goal they are willing to achieve. A lot of my 100 pound friends are "non-responders" to creatine, weight gainer powders, and the such. But if you look at their diets, then you'll see that breakfast is typically a bag of skittles with a coke, and the rest of the meals don't get much better. Think of supplements of icing on cake. There is no purpose for supplementation if the basic foundation of nutrition is not there.
J jsorb8997100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by UpstateNY2008:
I think of all of them as scams, especially since marketing typically tricks new users into thinking that the product they are trying to sell is the miracle supplement. Results will only be seen if the persons diet is in check and his routine is one that will help result in the goal they are willing to achieve. A lot of my 100 pound friends are "non-responders" to creatine, weight gainer powders, and the such. But if you look at their diets, then you'll see that breakfast is typically a bag of skittles with a coke, and the rest of the meals don't get much better. Think of supplements of icing on cake. There is no purpose for supplementation if the basic foundation of nutrition is not there.


Good post. As far as supplements go though, glutamine sucks (according to scientific documentation).

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