Tag: D glutamine

Most people, including healthy adults, get enough glutamine from their diet and natural bodily production without needing supplements. However, in times of extreme stress or intense exercise, the body's demand for this amino acid can exceed its supply, which is where supplements might come into play.

Over 61% of the free-form amino acid found in your muscles is glutamine, which exists in two forms: L-glutamine and D-glutamine. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, the critical distinction is in their molecular structure and how your body utilizes them. Understanding the difference between glutamine and L-glutamine is key to grasping how this conditionally essential amino acid functions.

According to the American Chemical Society, German chemists first isolated L-glutamine from sugarbeets in 1883. The 'L' in L-glutamine stands for 'levorotatory,' referring to its specific three-dimensional chemical configuration, which is a key characteristic of the amino acids that make up proteins in the human body.