Glutamine is an amino acid widely used to maintain good brain functioning. Glutamine is a derivative of glutamic acid which is synthesized from the amino acids arginine, ornithine and proline. Glutamine improves mental alertness, clarity of thinking and mood. It is found in animal proteins. 

Glutamic acid is also a precursor of GABA, an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Glutamic acid helps transport potassium into the spinal fluid and is itself an excitatory neurotransmitter. 

Because glutamic acid cannot cross the blood brain barrier, where most of the metabolism takes place, glutamine, which can cross this barrier, works better in supplement form. Glutamine can also be used by cells like glucose for metabolic energy. Thus is popular in athletic supplements.

Athletic people need more glutamine than more sedentary people. Glutamine is the most plentiful free amino acid in the body's muscle tissue. L-Glutamine plays a very important role in protein metabolism, cell volumizing, and anti-catabolism, which means that it may help prevent your muscle's breakdown. 

Under periods of stress such as very intense workouts, glutamine becomes critical because your body may not be able to make enough of it. But studies show that glutamine supplementation is an effective way to replace these declining levels and thus help maintain peak athletic performance.

Glutamine is the primary source of energy for cells of the GI tract and immune system, thereby providing health benefits to both. 

Glutamine is also known as: L-Glutamine