What is the Difference Between Glutamine and L-Glutamine?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Glutamine and L-glutamine are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different chemical structures. Glutamine is an amino acid that acts as the building block of protein and primarily helps in intestinal health and liver function. L-glutamine is an isomer of glutamine, which means that it has a slightly different arrangement of atoms as a molecule.
There are two isomers of glutamine: L-glutamine and D-glutamine. L-glutamine is the most common non-essential amino acid found in muscles and is involved in various functions, while D-glutamine is relatively unimportant in living organisms.
In supplementation, the terms glutamine and L-glutamine are generally considered the same, and supplements usually contain L-glutamine. The "L" in L-glutamine refers to the glutamine used by the left side of the body, which is the most effective for you. Glutamine supplements are popular among bodybuilders and athletes who train intensely, as intense exercise can rapidly deplete glutamine levels in the body, leading to exhaustion and muscle breakdown.
Comparative Table: Glutamine vs L-Glutamine
Here is a table comparing the differences between glutamine and L-glutamine:
| Feature | Glutamine | L-Glutamine |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Glutamine is an amino acid found in the body. | L-Glutamine is an isomer of glutamine. |
| Structure | Has the same substituent atoms as L-glutamine. | Has the same substituent atoms as glutamine. |
| Isomers | Glutamine has two isomers: L-glutamine and D-glutamine. | L-Glutamine is the more common isomer. |
| Function | Glutamine acts as a building block of protein and primarily helps in intestinal health and liver function. | L-Glutamine has more important applications than D-isomer and is used as dietary supplements to boost immune cell activity in the gut, etc. |
| Sources | Glutamine can be internally synthesized or externally consumed from dietary sources such as vegetables, meat, and dairy products. | L-Glutamine can be synthesized from ammonia and glutamic acid in the presence of glutamine. |
In summary, glutamine is an amino acid, while L-glutamine is an isomer of glutamine. Although they have some differences in structure and can be found in different sources, they play similar roles in the body.
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