Glutamate and glutamine are both amino acids typically found in large quantities in your body. Glutaminase and other enzymes in your body convert glutamine into glutamate. According to "The Glutamate Receptors," glutamate is the most common amino acids in nature. As a main component of many proteins, you can find glutamate in most of your body's tissues. In contrast, glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in your body.
Glutamine
Glutamine is a conditional amino acid, which means that it's only needed by your body in the time of illness or stress. Thus, your body can make sufficient amounts of glutamine from glutamic acid. Glutamine is a major source of fuel for your enterocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages, and glutamine also helps with protein synthesis and immune function. Your body also requires glutamine to remove certain types of wastes such as ammonia. Glutamine also supports brain function. Excess glutamine in your body remains suspended in your muscle tissues until your body needs it.
Glutamate
Glutamate helps to connect signals in your central nervous system. Glutamate regulates cognition, memory, learning and normal brain function in your central nervous system. Besides your brain and central nervous system, your body also uses glutamate to help regulate metabolism. Glutamate's function also depends on how other cells respond to glutamate. Cells need a specific glutamate receptor to trigger a specific response from the glutamate.
Glutamine Source
You can find glutamine in both plant and animal proteins. Foods that contain glutamine including raw spinach, raw parsley, beef, pork, poultry and dairy products such as cottage cheese, yogurt and milk. You can find glutamine in supplement form. Manufacturers make glutamine supplements in pills, powders and liquid forms. Heat also destroys glutamine, so you shouldn't take a glutamine supplement with hot beverages. Additionally, you should store glutamine supplements in a cool, dry place. "The Ultimate Nutrient Glutamine" states that the recommended daily dose of glutamine is between 500 and 1500 mg. However, you should speak with a medical professional before taking any glutamine supplement.
Benefits
"The Ultimate Nutrient Glutamine" reports that glutamine supplementation has several purported benefits. HIV, AIDS and cancer patients can take glutamine supplements to reduce wasting. Wasting is a medical condition that causes muscles and fat in your body to waste away. Additionally, glutamine can help heal postoperative wounds and many types of external injuries, burns and trauma. Furthermore, athletes can use glutamine supplements to gain muscle mass.
References
- "The Ultimate Nutrient Glutamine"; Judy Shabert; 1994
- "The Glutamate Receptors (The Receptors)"; Robert W. Gereau and Geoffrey Swanson; 2008
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis Kasper, et al.; 2004
Member Comments