Key Takeaways

Glutamine vs. Creatine: Key Benefits for Fitness Enthusiasts

• Glutamine: Primarily boosts immune system function, aids in muscle recovery by reducing fatigue and soreness, and supports intestinal health. Ideal for post-workout supplementation to enhance muscle synthesis and recovery.
• Creatine: Increases muscle mass, strength, and exercise performance by stimulating ATP production for energy. Recommended pre- or post-workout to fuel muscle growth and improve recovery times.

Sports and exercise supplements come in so many forms and varieties it can be difficult to sort through which ones are going to work best for you. If you are working toward building muscle, the question generally comes down to glutamine vs. creatine as to which is the most effective in a sports supplement. 

Both creatine and glutamine are found in numerous protein powders and supplements. Yet many of us do not understand the differences between glutamine vs. creatine. While both are known to do real work for building strength and lean muscle, which one is going to work best for your specific goals remains a difficult question. 

Evaluating glutamine vs. creatine involves an understanding of at least some of the science behind both of these things. What is glutamine, exactly? What is creatine? How does each of these things function in the body? How to take glutamine vs. creatine? This guide will walk you through glutamine vs. creatine to help you understand how to get the most out of your workout and get the results you are after. 

What is Glutamine?

Glutamine is an amino acid and is one of the building blocks of proteins. In our bodies, proteins form muscles, transport essential substances in the blood, and help the immune system. As an amino acid, it is essential to maintaining your health. 

Many amino acids exist in two forms. Glutamine is one of these amino acids. It exists as L-glutamine and D-glutamine. Though these molecules look identical, the two forms function differently because they have a different molecular arrangement. The form that is found in foods and supplements is L-glutamine, although it is often listed as glutamate. L-glutamine is essential for building proteins. It is one of the most abundant amino acids in our bodies. 

Yet, there are times when our bodies require more L-glutamine that we can produce which means we need to get it from our diet or another source such as a supplement. Injuries and illnesses can require more than we normally need. It is this biochemical function that has led to the development of glutamine as a sports supplement. 

What is Creatine?

Creatine is made from arginine, glycine, and methionine. It is an amino acid derivative. It is produced naturally by the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. We can also get it from food sources like red meat. As a naturally occurring chemical in the body, it is largely stored in skeletal muscle tissue. Once it is stored in the biological cells it is transformed into phosphocreatine and saved for later use. Some of the creatine produced by our bodies and ingested through diet circulates as free creatine. 

Creatine has become ubiquitous among athletes because supplementing contributes to muscle development. In fact, clinical studies have shown that taking supplements produces measurable increases in both muscle mass and strength. These same studies showed that athletes taking creatine supplements outperformed a control group by as much as 43 percent. Creatine, it turns out, does improve strength and overall performance. 

Glutamine vs. Creatine Differences

Glutamine and creatine are both organic compounds made by our bodies. Both are transported and stored in muscles. Creatine is synthesized in the liver and kidneys from amino acids, whereas glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids that can be made by the human body. One of the main differences is that creatine functions primarily toward metabolism and this works to help build muscle. Glutamine, on the other hand, is part of the system of compounds that goes into muscle protein synthesis.

We usually get all the creatine we need from the normal metabolic functions in our bodies, some people, such as people recovering from illness, injury, and surgery, may require creatine supplements. However, it is an ideal addition to workout supplements since it does support building muscle. 

Glutamine is often referred to as a conditionally essential amino acid. This means it is necessary to get the building blocks of glutamine from some kind of dietary source. Glutamine is preferred by some athletes since it is directly involved in muscle protein synthesis. Others rely on creatine since it supports the metabolic processes that lead to muscle protein synthesis. 

Glutamine will build muscle. Creatine will support the work necessary to build muscle. Herein is the primary difference between the two. 

When to Take Glutamine

Since glutamine increases the production of natural HGH or human growth hormone, it is best to take it post-workout. By boosting levels of HGH at the post-workout phase you are sure to increase the synthesis of muscle tissue. This also cuts down on body fat and increases metabolic activity. 

Another advantage of taking glutamine after your workout is that it tends to suppress insulin levels. This is great for people who struggle with blood sugar issues and diabetes. This also results in increased muscle and decreased fat. 

When to Take Creatine

The conventional wisdom on creatine is to take it before you work out. Creatine will accomplish two things pre-workout: it increases stores of glycogen, and this sustains energy levels for high-intensity training. It also helps with muscle recovery once you are finished working out. 

This said, the research seems to suggest you can take it before or after a workout, but you should make sure to take it just before or just after. The closer to your workout, the better. Studies show that people who took creatine close to their workout tended to build more muscle than people who took it hours after a workout. 

Benefits of Glutamine

The main benefit most people get from taking glutamine is muscle gain. Glutamine is an essential building block of muscle tissue. Assembling the necessary amino acids in the body before working out ensures that you maximize the benefits of your workout. In a study that tracked the impact of glutamine supplements on people who did high-intensity muscle training, researchers found the people who took supplements increased muscle six times more than those who did not take supplements. 

Glutamine has also been clinically shown to reduce muscle fatigue and muscle soreness from intense workouts. One study in particular showed that taking supplements reduces muscle fatigue and soreness by two hours over people who took no glutamine. 

Other benefits of glutamine include:

Immune System

Given that glutamine is already prescribed for medical purposes, it is easy to see that it has tremendous benefits for the immune system. Glutamine is a crucial fuel for immune cells like white blood cells that play a critical role in the immune system. 

The immune system can get depleted especially during times of illness or injury. Burns are especially taxing to the immune system. This means that the body’s need for glutamine will outpace its ability to produce it. Your body may begin to break down muscle tissue to access more glutamine. This is when a glutamine supplement can become necessary. In these situations, glutamine supplements may be prescribed to boost the immune system. Glutamine supplements taken during situations of critical illness and trauma have been shown to decrease infections and reduce hospital stays. 

Other research has shown that glutamine supplements can help fight bacterial and viral infections. 

Intestinal Health

The immune system benefits of glutamine are related to its role in intestinal health. The intestines are considered the largest part of the body’s immune system. Many of the cells that line the intestinal system are part of the immune system. Glutamine is a crucial source of food for the intestinal immune system. 

The cells that line the intestinal system prevent bacteria from passing into the body and causing serious infections. It also acts as a wall against toxins passing into the body. To maintain this system, your body requires a steady flow of glutamine as a source of fuel. Glutamine ensures that the intestinal system remains healthy, and this also supports the immune system.

Benefits of Creatine

Creatine is one of the most studied exercise supplements around. The benefits are not just anecdotal; they are scientifically verified. And there is a considerable list of benefits to recommend creatine as a workout supplement. 

Cells Produce More Energy

Creatine increases the amount of phosphocreatine in your cells. Stored cellular phosphocreatine stimulates the energy process at the cellular level. It helps produce the chemical ATP which is the chemical broken down during exercise to produce energy. ATP is the basic power source in our cells. Creatine builds and stimulates the energy at the most basic level. 

Helps Build Muscle Mass

Creatine opens the cellular pathways that produce new muscle growth. It also assists in the formation of complex proteins that become muscle tissue. 

Improves High-Intensity Performance During Training

Creatine has been scientifically shown to improve endurance and stamina. The effects that increase endurance are tied to an increase in strength, resistance to fatigue, increased muscle mass, faster recovery, and even improved brain performance. 

Speeds Muscle Growth

Creatine has been shown to accelerate muscle growth. Athletes know this, but there is scientific evidence to back it up. Studies have documented increased muscle growth from creatine supplements, seeing significant increases in as few as 5 days. 

May Lower Blood Sugar Levels and Fight Diabetes

Studies have shown that taking creatine supplements lowers your blood sugar levels when combined with high-intensity exercise. Creatine, it seems, can fight short-term blood sugar spikes and this lowers blood sugar over the long term. 

Helps Brain Function

As creatine enhances the production of the energy-producing molecule ATP at the cellular level, it provides the same boost to your brain as it does for muscle tissue. Creatine has been shown to improve brain function. It can help combat Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Creatine could also protect against stroke and epilepsy.

Glutamine and Creatine Supplements

Numerous supplements provide you with both glutamine and creatine. Most of these are reputable and the science behind both glutamine and creatine is solid. There are not many risks other than to make certain you are buying from a sound provider. 

Glutamine and creatine have been thoroughly tested and are safe when taken within the specifications given by the supplements. 

NFS Product Showcase 

NF Sports glutamine is the best supplement designed to maximize gains from intense training. Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, and it is extremely important for recovery. Research shows that glutamine is depleted from high-intensity exercise. It needs to be replenished to maximize muscle glycogen and improve immune system function. 

NFS’s Micronized Creatine is free of any additives or fillers. Creatine is one of the most researched supplements in sports nutrition and helps to provide your performance with an explosive boost. It is naturally occurring in the human body (and animal meat) and has been heavily researched for its safety and performance benefits.

Conclusion

Both glutamine and creatine are well-researched exercise and workout supplements. Because glutamine and creatine have been in use for such a long time, researchers have been able to study the effects of these compounds and understand both how they work and the potential for dangerous side effects. What is now known is that both glutamine and creatine work to promote muscle growth and reduce fatigue and soreness. 

What is more, both glutamine and creatine are safe when taken according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Neither glutamine or creatine has any significant side effects when used correctly. When it comes to building muscle and reducing the pain of a high-intensity workout, we have everything to gain from including good glutamine or creatine supplement in our workout programs. 

The type of glutamine and creatine supplements you get from NF Sports will help you build serious muscle. These supplements will make it easier to go the extra distance in your workout to maximize your training. Glutamine and creatine provide the building blocks for muscle protein synthesis, they give you the energy and stamina to keep working out, and they will get you the results you are after in more lean muscle, less fat, and reduced soreness and fatigue. 

Health and Safety Notice for Our Readers

At NF Sports, we're dedicated to supporting your fitness journey with high-quality, natural supplements made in an FDA-registered facility. Our content and product recommendations are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice.

Consult Your Doctor: Before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have health concerns or conditions, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it's safe and right for you.

FDA Disclaimer: Our products are designed to support your wellness journey but have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FAQ

What exactly are glutamine and creatine?

Glutamine is an amino acid that plays a vital role in immune function and muscle recovery, while creatine is an amino acid derivative that helps produce energy in muscle cells, supporting strength, performance, and muscle growth.

How do glutamine and creatine differ in their roles in muscle building and recovery?

Glutamine aids in recovery by reducing muscle fatigue and soreness, and is essential for immune health. Creatine primarily boosts energy production, enhancing strength, muscle mass, and performance during high-intensity workouts.

When is the best time to take glutamine and creatine?

For glutamine, the optimal time is post-workout to support muscle recovery and immune function. Creatine can be taken either before or after workouts to increase energy storage and muscle growth, with evidence suggesting proximity to the workout session enhances benefits.

Are glutamine and creatine safe and should they be taken together?

Both supplements are considered safe when used according to recommendations, without significant side effects. They can be taken together as part of a balanced supplement strategy to support both muscle building and recovery.