Naked Nutrition Glutamine Review: The Supplement I Never Knew I Needed!

I have always been fairly sceptical about supplements, I take them in abundance but I rarely notice them doing anything so it’s kind of like just taking them because I know I should, rather than noticing why. I do, however, notice my collagen supplement makes a difference and have favourites out of the ones I have used (through my job I have been fortunate to try a few), but Naked Nutrition Collagen is always one come back to. I notice when I haven’t taken it in my skin, and mainly my under eye area. It’s when you can visually see something that it really makes you sit up and take notice and in a way I could get away without even drinking enough water in my teens and twenties, my forties require the extra. So, I trusted Naked Nutrition already (I’ve always been impressed with other products I’ve used from them too) and when they suggested I try their Naked Nutrition Glutamine I was all in.

Glutamine is actually the most abundant amino acid in the body and is found naturally in foods such as tofu, eggs, milk and other protein rich ingredients. The reality, though, is that most of us are not sitting there tracking how much glutamine we are getting through our diets. That’s where a supplement can be useful. It’s a simple and convenient way of ensuring your body has access to it every day and though I tend to hear “protein” and it immediately makes me think “weight gain”, this supplement simply helps with protein metabolism and actually contains ZERO calories. First hurdle overcome! It is recommended to take it first thing in the morning, just before bed or after a workout.

Naked Nutrition Glutamine keeps things refreshingly straightforward. As well as being calorie free, it’s made from plant based sources, is gluten free, soya free and completely vegan. There are no unnecessary extras, just pure glutamine that mixes easily into whatever you happen to be drinking.

And the obvious option is to stir it into water, juice or a smoothie, but I am all about power maxxing food whenever possible. If I can make something delicious and nutritious while sneaking in a supplement at the same time, that’s always going to be my preferred approach. And my prefrred approach during the week when I am being very careful about calories but still want a sweet treat, is finding healthier alternatives to a biscuit, a bar of chocolate or ice cream!

Lately, my obsession has been a ridiculously simple banana ice cream. I blend two bananas with three heaped spoons of Greek yogurt until smooth, then freeze it. That’s it. The result is creamy, sweet and honestly tastes far naughtier than it has any right to.

Then comes the topping and in steps Naked Nutrition’s glutamine to the picture!

Instead of reaching for a bottle of caramel sauce laden with sugar, I make my own healthy version by blitzing dates with a splash of hot water. What emerges is a rich, silky caramel style sauce that satisfies every sweet craving. Before pouring it over the ice cream, I mix in a 5g serving of Naked Nutrition Glutamine.

The finished dessert feels indulgent, but every ingredient is working hard. The bananas provide fantastic fuel, the yogurt contributes protein and creaminess, the dates bring fibre and natural sweetness and the glutamine adds an extra layer of support for recovery and overall wellbeing.

One of the main reasons I felt interested in taking glutamine and adding yet another supplement into the mix of my perimenopausal list was for gut health. As someone who is relentlessly constipated and also suffers from acid reflux, I am always looking for ways to support my digestive system. Glutamine is widely known for supporting the cells that line the gut and helping maintain the integrity of the digestive tract.

Of course, supplements are never miracle cures, but I can honestly say I feel like this one has made a noticeable difference to my tummy in a surprisingly short amount of time. Digestion simply seems calmer and more comfortable.

The recovery side of things is equally appealing. Glutamine can help minimise muscle breakdown, support immune function and aid recovery following exercise. What I like most is that recovery is not just something we need after a workout. Recovery is something our bodies are doing all the time.

Whether you are bouncing back from a gym session, a stressful week, a rotten night’s sleep or even a seasonal bug, giving your body additional support feels like a sensible investment.

As someone navigating perimenopause, glutamine’s role in protein metabolism is particularly interesting. Protein metabolism is influenced by hormones including insulin, glucagon and cortisol, helping regulate the balance between building and breaking down protein according to the body’s needs. When hormones feel like they are running the show, as they often do during perimenopause, supporting these natural processes becomes even more appealing.

Like many women at this stage of life, I have also found myself gifted a few extra pounds that seem determined to hang around no matter what I do. I am hopeful that because glutamine may help support a healthier gut environment, I might start seeing some positive changes there too. Nothing else appears to be shifting the situation and I genuinely believe hormones are playing a huge part.

Perhaps most interestingly, while I obviously cannot measure my own cortisol levels at home, I do feel noticeably better since introducing glutamine into my routine. Whether that is down to improved recovery, better digestion or simply feeling more supported nutritionally, it is a change I have been aware of quite quickly.

For me, Naked Nutrition Glutamine ticks all the boxes. It is clean, easy to use, incredibly versatile and fits naturally into everyday life. Whether stirred into a drink or folded into a homemade healthy dessert, it is one of those rare supplements that feels effortless to stick with.

And if a bowl of banana ice cream drizzled with date caramel sauce can help support gut health, recovery and overall wellbeing along the way, then I am very happy to keep making room for it in my freezer. I also use the caramel sauce in my healthier banoffee muffins and they are so good too… Glutamine and bananas are the way my sweet tooth is going at the moment so do check out my banoffee muffin recipe to get a Glutamine hit in there too!

Collaboration.