What one has to decide upon first and foremost is what is your desired goals and objectives within your training routine. Are you going to gym to get fit, or do you train regularly in order to gain muscle mass and definition, or perhaps you might even be in attendance at the gym to lose some weight and get into shape. Whichever your reason and or motivation, this will have a direct impact upon what you should be using from a supplemental point of view, as well as when this intake should be implemented.
As an example many of those that are weight training, will take a protein supplement immediately prior to their exercising, and again after exercising, with the latter normally being a purer, or lower fat content protein than the initial intake. The main reason for this is that the training will require sufficient energy and fuel for the muscle workout and needs to refuel the muscles after the activity of training.
In having a look at the glutamine supplement, you will come to know that it is the most commonly occurring non essential amino acid in the human body. Medical research has revealed that this amino acid is predominantly involved with the mental health, blood sugar, the immune system and maintenance of muscle mass in the body. Glutamine, in the body is primarily derived from glutamic acid, which is commonly found in protein rich foods such as whole grains, certain fish, nuts and of course red meat.
From a medical perspective the glutamine supplement has been successfully used to treat conditions such as alcoholism and mild depression, which has resulted in it being reffered to as a brain food too. In addition to this people are normally given the glutamine supplement after an operation, as it aids in the recovery and healing of wounds from operative procedures. More recently the glutamine supplement has been said to work very well in the treatment of ADHD, as well as anxiety.
Therefore over and above the benefits that the glutamine supplement provides from the muscle building and endurance aspect, this is truly a well rounded conditionally essential amino acid that has many functions and benefits from memory, to mood function as well as the muscle and endurance building benefits.
The best time for intake of a glutamine supplement is after a workout, preferably within the hour, and together with a protein shake or supplement to aid in the recovery of the work out, and refuels the muscles and body after the exercise routine. It is also suggested that you do not dive into the use of a glutamine supplement, but should rather implement the intake thereof over time, as it is known to cause an irritated bowel when the body is getting used to such intake.