Ingredients8.8
Effectiveness8.3
Value8.5
Ingredients8.9
Mixability9.1
Pros
  • Good flavor options
  • Mixes well
Cons
  • More beneficial for endurance athletes, not so much for bodybuilding
  • Not a lot of conclusive studies
8.7Overall Score

BPI Best Glutamine is a supplement designed to optimize immune system support while also helping improve post-workout recovery and possibly even lean mass.

I got my hands on a bottle of this and did some research. Here is what I found out about this stand-alone amino acid supplement.

What Are the Benefits of the Key Ingredient?

Glutamine is an interesting ingredient. BPI Best Glutamine includes several forms of glutamine to make up 6.5 g total per serving.

BPI Best Glutamine’s label indicates it supports lean muscle, promotes recovery, and even influences glycogen replenishment.

According to my research, medical professionals state that this amino acid has been shown to improve blood glucose [1] as well as exercise capacity. [2] However, The study examined those with heart conditions, so it is difficult to generalize this benefit to the masses.

Additionally, glutamine supplementation paired with weight-training failed to outperform a maltodextrin placebo in regard to power output during the bench, squat, and leg extension. [3]

During endurance training, glutamine supplementation was shown to reduce blood ammonia levels. Ammonia is linked to fatigue. Consequently, glutamine supplementation may improve endurance during high-intensity aerobic performance. [4]

How To Use BPI Best Glutamine

You can take BPI Best Glutamine before, after, and during workouts with 6 ounces of water or a preferred beverage of your choice; BPI Best Glutamine comes both flavored and unflavored.

The manufacturer indicates that BPI Best Glutamine should be supplemented with both on training and non-training days. This is possibly because you need to build up a glutamine-storage to see benefits.

Mixability and Flavor

I tried a bottle of Berry Citrus. It tasted good. It was a pretty strong berry flavor, so I added an additional 2 ounces of water, as prefer a more subtle taste.

It mixed fairly well in my shaker cup I didn’t notice any settling or clumping. I supplemented with it post-workout for about 5 days.

Obviously, 5 days is too short a time to notice any real benefits or advantages. I’m sure if I supplemented with it for a while, I would start to notice some advantages. However, it is important to note that I did not notice any side effects during my supplementation.

Final Thoughts

Overall, BPI Best Glutamine provides a good amount of glutamine per serving, offers some unique flavor and unflavored options, and it is fairly inexpensive.

That being said, whether you should invest in a stand-alone glutamine supplement will most likely depend on your type of exercise. If you cycle, run, or engage in regular aerobic exercise, you may see some kind of benefit from glutamine supplementation.

For me, on the other hand, I focus more on anaerobic, resistance training. The protein I use has glutamine included. Consequently, I wouldn’t buy this supplement again just based on my goals and already getting it in my supplementation.

[1] Rotovnik Kozjek N, et al. “Oral glutamine supplementation during preoperative radiochemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer: a randomized double blinded, placebo controlled pilot study.” Clin Nutr. 2011 Oct;30(5):567-70. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.06.003. Epub 2011 Jul 5.

[2] Khogali SE, et al. “Is glutamine beneficial in ischemic heart disease?” Nutrition. 2002 Feb;18(2):123-6.

[3] Candow DG, et al. “Effect of glutamine supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults.” Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001 Dec;86(2):142-9.

[4] Carvalho, Peixoto J, Alves RC, Cameron LC. “Glutamine and carbohydrate supplements reduce ammonemia increase during endurance field exercise.” Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007 Dec;32(6):1186-90.



About The Author

Brian E. is from southern California and has worked for names like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe as a supplement expert and consultant. He currently lives in Utah and is studying marketing.

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