Weight loss is the unicorn that everyone is trying to find. It seems like the ability to lose weight must be out there, somewhere. But, where? is the question. There are fad diets aplenty, and so many “eat this, don’t eat that” s that it’ll make your head spin. Vegan, gluten-free, paleo, keto, Whole30, vegetarian, pescatarian… the list goes on and on. Are you exhausted thinking about all the diets you’ve tried and failed? Us, too.
Well, your hunt may be over, and it doesn’t require limiting yourself to specific foods (though everything should be eaten in moderation). Your ticket to some weight loss may be in an amino acid called l-glutamine.
Let’s dig into it further and see if this thing is your ticket to ride the thinner life.
What is L-Glutamine?
L-glutamine is an amino acid in your body that plays a major role in your immune system. This amino acid serves as a building block for proteins that help your organs run correctly and keep your immune system strong and safe from viruses and bacteria.
L-Glutamine Weight Loss Studies
A few studies have been done on the effectiveness of l-glutamine in helping people lose weight. One specific study showed that “glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in humans.” For the study, female patients who were obese and overweight were measured for their weight and waist circumference, and metabolic measurements were taken as well, including glycemia, insulinemia, and insulin resistance. Throughout the length of the study, the patients did not change their diet. Some participants were given glutamine supplements, and others were given isonitrogenous protein supplements. After the 4-week study, it was discovered that “body weight and waist circumference significantly declined only after glutamine supplementation.” Thus, “this pilot study shows that glutamine is safe and effective in favoring weight loss and possibly enhancing glucose metabolism.”
However, another study showed that adding glutamine to the diet meant the patients wanted bigger meals, which is not exactly the ticket to weight loss.
Thus, it is clear that more in-depth research and studies are required to determine the overall efficacy of glutamine to aid in weight loss.
How L-Glutamine Works
Though more research is needed on the subject, do not give up on the idea that l-glutamine may work for you to lose some extra pounds. The science behind it seems highly possible.
Adding l-glutamine supplements to your daily life can actually affect your gut microbiome, which isn’t always a bad thing. The gut is a far more important place than many people give it credit for. According to a study, “the intestinal microbiome is intrinsically linked with overall health, including obesity risk.” On top of that, glutamine may be able to aid with gut inflammation, which can lead to weight issues, including obesity.
How to Get L-Glutamine
L-glutamine exists naturally in foods such as eggs, milk, beef, nuts, and tofu. However, you can also take powder and capsule l-glutamine supplements. In order for this amino acid to be potentially effective, you should look at taking around 30 grams per day.
Other Tools for Weight Loss
Since the efficacy of l-glutamine for weight loss is still in question, and more studies and research are needed to make a final decision, it is a good idea to turn to other tried-and-true weight loss tools. Here are the top ones.
Healthy Diet
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Abs are made in the kitchen and sculpted in the gym.” This means that no matter how much you exercise, you won’t be able to get in shape unless you are eating a healthy diet. Food is the first thing to improve if you are looking to lose weight. The best way to do this varies from person to person, as some people benefit from low-carb, high-fat diets, while others benefit from higher-carb and low-fat diets.
One thing that is universal is that no matter what your body type, sugar is something to eat at an absolute minimum. Well, processed sugar, that is. Natural sugar derived from fruits is okay. There is no benefit to anyone from eating processed sugar, and in fact, it is one of the biggest reasons for weight gain.
Exercise
Now that you understand the importance of a healthy diet, the next step is exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to spend 6 days a week at the gym or run 4 miles a day. Even something as simple as a 30-minute daily walk can help you get closer to your weight loss goals. A sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health in a number of ways, but mainly for weight loss.
Exercise not only helps burn fat, but it also helps speed up the metabolism. The less you move, the slower your metabolism becomes.
Being busy all the time and surviving on a few hours of sleep a night is something that should not be glorified. It can mean a lot of productivity in the short term, but in the long term, it will only cause problems, one of which is weight gain. In order to keep your weight at a healthy level, you need to sleep at least 7 hours per night. Nights with little sleep can increase the appetite-stimulating hormone called ghrelin, making us want to eat more.
Sleep
Being busy all the time and surviving on a few hours of sleep a night is something that should not be glorified. It can mean a lot of productivity in the short term, but in the long term, it will only cause problems, one of which is weight gain. In order to keep your weight at a healthy level, you need to sleep at least 7 hours per night. Nights with little sleep can increase the appetite-stimulating hormone called ghrelin, making us want to eat more.
How Much Sleep Do We Need At Different Ages?
In Summary
L-glutamine has the potential to be a means of weight loss, but there has not been sufficient research and studies done to prove that, without a doubt, this amino acid will help you lose weight. It is something that you can try, as it won’t damage your body, but don’t place all of your eggs in this weight-loss basket.
Want to get more l-glutamine into your diet? Here are some of the top products available on the market:
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