Glutamine is the amino acid that is most present in our organism (70% in the myocytes) and it very easily passes the cellular membranes. It is well known that its levels tend to decrease in all conditions of stress. It has so many potential functions that it is difficult to establish the most important ones and even more difficult to create a “classification” of those with the greatest impact.

It is the precursor of the purine and pyrimidine bases, namely the synthesis of RNA and DNA. It is a precursor of all amino acid-synthesis, and the synthesis of all the non-essential amino acids can originate from it; it therefore has a potentially anti-catabolic effect, and guaranteeing its presence and availability favors protein synthesis triggered by exercise. Its role in cellular synthesis is particularly interesting, more specifically those cells with a very high turnover, in particular those of the intestinal mucous and the lymphocytes. This amino acid can have an important role in the enteric function, which is often stressed during stress periods. Defense of the enteric and lymphocytic function turns into lower susceptibility to infections which often strike athletes during the charge phase.
In addition to these specific functions, glutamine also transports the nitrogen between organs, which favors the generic organic and metabolic functions that necessarily accelerate both during physical exercise and pathological stress.

Its important role in gluconeogenesis should be considered: if on the one hand it is true that a well-balanced diet should reduce the triggering of gluconeogenesis to a minimum, on the other hand very extended sessions of sport are becoming more popular, and in these cases it is very difficult not to have the energy support of amino acids. In this case glutamine plays an important role.

Remember also its decisive function in collagen synthesis (by proline – hydroxyproline), which preserves the tissues that are particularly stressed and helps recover those that are traumatized.

This amino acid has a generally useful role in stress conditions such as inflammation; consider that when taken it reduces the quantity of circulating inflammatory cytokines (4).

In substance, the polyhedral nature of glutamine does not accentuate a specific function, so giving it a special characteristic. Its preventive and protective qualities for athletes must not be forgotten.

Those who do amateur physical exercise have no reason to use it. Even though no type damage that may be caused by glutamine is known, even if used for long periods, it is advisable to stick to a dose of from 0.1 to 0.3g/kg daily.