Glutamine is an amino acid, meaning it is one of the components of protein that is commonly used as a sports supplement. However, current scientific evidence suggests that glutamine supplements may be useful for reducing body fat .
High levels of glutamine, less fat and inflammation
Obesity is a disease characterized by excess body fat and an inflammatory condition that is responsible for increasing the risk of many other associated diseases.
Studies conducted this year analyzed the link between glutamine supplementation and the metabolic and inflammatory profile in overweight and obese people as well as in rats on a high-fat diet.
The results indicate that in obese individuals, glutamine decreased serum insulin and waist circumference , while in rats on a high-fat diet, the supplement reduced adiposity , improved insulin action and signaling, thus optimizing glucose metabolism.
All of this indicates that glutamine could help prevent and control obesity as well as associated metabolic diseases.
An even more recent study confirmed the above by finding an inverse relationship between glutamine levels and obesity in 81 women, as well as between this amino acid and a type of white adipose tissue that was harmful or promoted inflammation .
Obese women had lower glutamine levels than non-obese women, and lower glutamine levels were also associated with larger fat cell size as well as a higher percentage of body fat, independent of body mass index (BMI).
For all these reasons, although additional studies are needed to recommend glutamine supplements, scientific evidence suggests that it could be helpful in reducing body fat and preventing or reversing obesity and related pathologies.