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L-glutamine: how much to take

Glutamine is the most common amino acid in the blood. It is popular with gym-goers, but studies in healthy people show little benefit.

Calculator Official intake Study doses Best form Safety Sources

Adults 18+ only
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Official daily intake

This is not an essential nutrient, so there is no official daily intake. Only study doses are shown.

Doses used in studies

These are doses tested in research, not personal advice. Some exceed the upper limit because they were short courses or given under medical care.

Weak evidenceWeak: one small trial, pilot data or results that conflict.Based on 1 randomised trial.How grades workNo benefit or harm found

Muscle and strength with training

No single dose

In 31 young adults doing 6 weeks of resistance training, a very high dose of glutamine (0.9 g per kg of lean mass a day) gave no more strength or muscle than placebo.

Candow DG et al. 2001

Best form and why

No best form

Why: Plain L-glutamine powder is the usual form, but trials in healthy people show little benefit for muscle or strength.

Candow DG et al. 2001 · Shao A, Hathcock JN 2008

Food sources

Any protein food: meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans.

Interactions

No important interactions known.

Safety

A risk assessment found strong evidence of safety up to 14 g a day (observed safe level).

Pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition? Check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement.

Sources

  1. Randomised trial Candow DG et al. (2001). Effect of glutamine supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 86:142-149
  2. Review / position paper Shao A, Hathcock JN (2008). Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, L-glutamine and L-arginine. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 50:376-399

Values checked: November 12, 2026.

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