Is glutamine really necessary for muscle growth?

Are you getting tired of hearing about the wonders of weightlifting supplements? Have you given up trying to keep up with the latest supplement fad? Maybe you're aware that bodybuilding magazines have close relationships with advertisers, and most of the claims about bodybuilding supplements are simply marketing tactics. Still, you may have heard a lot of your fellow trainees in the gym talk about one supplement in particular -glutamine. You may have been told this supplement is extremely helpful in growing your muscles, but do you really need to take glutamine supplements to maximize your muscle building efforts?

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. (Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.) That much is true. But what about actual supplementation? The major reason that glutamine is believed to help muscle is that studies proved it beneficial in trauma patients. Studies have shown that muscle loss can be reduced in patients with severe trauma such as in the case of burn victims or AIDS patients. The problem is that this kind of stress cannot be automatically compared to the kind of stress your body undergoes during exercise. While there may be certain situations in which such a supplement would be helpful, glutamine supplementation is probably not necessary in the majority of cases. Don't forget that the supplement companies themselves provide much of the hype that surrounds these products. Always remember to stick with the essentials of progressive resistance training and increasing your calories, however popular a bodybuilding supplement may be.

Why do bodybuilding supplements like glutamine sell so well? They do well because bodybuilders, like most people, prefer to look for a seemingly magical product that promises immediate results. Unfortunately, so many people in our society have become accustomed to looking for shortcuts and short term gratification. It's particularly sad when you consider that learning how to gain weight naturally is not as difficult as it may seem. The real magic pill is combining the right knowledge (weight gain diet plus proper workout routines) with determination. The beginner must understand that weight gain, like most worthwhile goals, requires diligence over the long term.

If you're feeling discouraged, consider the following. Most great things in life are not accomplished with one incredible act. On the contrary, both our successes and failures in life almost always come from the accumulation of small choices over time. You will accomplish more working out a few times a week than you will in one super long workout. Whatever you choose, keep the long term in mind and rest assured that living your dreams tomorrow, in both bodybuilding and beyond, are well worth the price you pay today.

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