This looks like great stuff....
" Introduction
L-alanyl-L-glutamine (Ala-Gln) is a dipeptide of the two amino acids L-alanine and L-glutamine. It is stable to both heat and acids, is highly soluble, and can function as a source of glutamine in the body. It also dramatically reduces levels of ammonia, a by-product of the degradation of ordinary l-glutamine. These properties make Ala-Gln an ideal candidate to deliver the benefits of glutamine in a variety of applications.
Ala-Gln is a stable form of glutamine.
Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in the blood or intracellular pool, accounting for 50 to 60% of the amino acids in skeletal muscle and 20% or more in plasma. It has a wide variety of functions in the human body, such as stimulation of protein synthesis, energy supply, immunostimulation and wound healing.
Despite its important role in the body, problems associated with the physical properties of glutamine (in particular its poor stability and solubility) have in the past limited its use. Ala-Gln provides a workable solution.
Physiological effects of Ala-Gln
Ala-Gln is broken down into free alanine and free glutamine immediately on entering the body and has equal or greater effect in the body than glutamine on its own.
The effects of Ala-Gln include:
•Stimulating muscle protein synthesis and/or inhibiting muscle degradation
•Enhancing rehydration
•Provision of energy
•Maintenance of gastrointestinal health
•Maintenance of immune function
•Maintenance of liver function
•Prevention of hypoglycaemia in diabetics
•Moisture-retaining effect on the skin
It has been shown that when used in post-operative nutrition Ala-Gln aids recovery and helps to reduce the length of hospital stays. Looking at its effects on muscle recovery, rehydration and energy, Ala-Gln has an important role to play in sports nutrition.
Ala-Gln has an excellent safety profile
•No significant side-effects observed in clinical studies
•Ala-Gln already used successfully in postoperative nutrition
•Ala-Gln is broken down into its free amino acid components more rapidly than is glycyl-glutamine (Gly-Gln), a dipeptide similar to Ala-Gln, and most of the administered Ala-Gln is utilised in the body
•Kyowa Hakko has a patented technology for producing dipeptides without chemical modification.
•Kyowa Hakko completed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) self-affirmation for its dipeptide Ala-Gln in February 2008.
Applications
Ala-Gln is available in powder form and is water-soluble into a clear solution. It is also odorless and tasteless. The stability of Kyowa Hakko’s Ala-Gln enables it to be formulated into a variety of food and beverage, healthcare and sports nutrition applications. "
Topic Author
