L-glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid often used in sports nutrition and for medical purposes, such as managing sickle cell disease. The typical recommended dosage for L-glutamine supplementation for athletic performance or recovery can vary significantly based on the context of its use¹.

For fitness and sport purposes, studies have indicated that acute intakes of L-glutamine up to 20-30 grams are generally well-tolerated in healthy adults¹. In contrast, doses for medical purposes, such as for sickle cell disease, can also range from 5 grams to 15 grams per dose, depending on body weight and medical guidance².

Using 1 gram per day (two 500 mg pills) might be relatively low if you're aiming for some of the broader potential benefits often discussed in fitness circles, like muscle recovery or support under heavy training loads. However, lower doses may still contribute to daily amino acid intake, possibly supporting gut health or baseline immune function, although its impact may be less pronounced compared to higher doses¹.

If you plan to increase your dosage, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare or nutrition professional, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Footnotes

1. Michael Gleeson, "Dosing and efficacy of glutamine supplementation in human exercise and sport training," PubMed, 2024. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. Weaver SB, et al., "L-Glutamine – LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf," NCBI Bookshelf. ↩