Supplements can help you have a successful fitness journey as long as you understand that these products are not a substitute for food and can’t replace a proper diet. Amino acid supplements are some of the most popular choices in the fitness world, and for a few reasons.

What Are Amino Acids?

Most commonly, amino acids are referred to as the building blocks of protein. Proteins serve some key functions to the human’s body, like providing the basic structural components of muscles, nervous system, blood, brain, skin and hair. They’re essential for the balance between acid-base and fluid in the body and can help transport oxygen, vitamins, minerals and fats.

When you ingest proteins, your body breaks them into the individual amino, reorders them and refolds them, and then turns them into whatever is most needed at the time. The most interesting thing about amino acids is that some are incredibly unique in the way they’re used in your body, which can be quite useful to know, especially if you’re getting into fitness.

Amino acids play an important role when it comes to muscle development. Your body needs twenty amino acids, but only nine of them are classified as essential. They are lysine, histidine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, leucine, valine and isoleucine. The last three are called branched-chain amino acids, also known as BCAA. They have the greatest impact on muscle development and are beneficial if there is not enough high-quality protein in your diet.

Essential amino acids are at the core of many vital processes, but they can’t be made through your body and that’s the main reason why many opt for amino acid supplements. They can help you sculpt the muscular body or athletic performance that you aim for, but keep in mind that a successful plan includes proper training, recovery and good nutrition, so your body can perform at optimum levels.

What Are Their Roles in Your Body?

Lysine

It plays a major role in protein synthesis, enzyme and hormone production. Also, it’s important for the absorption of calcium and energy production, collagen and elastin production and immune function.

Phenylalanine

This essential amino acid plays a vital role in the structure and function of proteins and enzymes and enzymes and the production of other amino acids.

Histidine

It’s used to produce histamine and is very important for maintaining the protective barrier that surrounds tour nerve cells, known as myelin sheath.

Methionine

It’s an essential amino acid that’s important for your metabolism and detoxification. Also, it’s crucial for tissue growth and the absorption of selenium and zinc.

Threonine

This is the principal part of structural proteins (collagen, elastin). They are important components of your skin and the connective tissue. Additionally, it plays a big role in immune function and fat metabolism.

Tryptophan

Very often it’s associated with causing fatigue, but tryptophan has other functions as well. It’s necessary to maintain proper nitrogen balance and is a precursor to serotonin.

Leucine

Leucine is one of the BCAAs, critical for protein synthesis and muscle repair. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, stimulate wound healing and produce growth hormones.

Valine

One of the three BCAAs, valine can help stimulate muscle growth and regeneration and is important for energy production.

Isoleucine

It’s the last of the three BCAAs, involved in muscle metabolism and heavily concentrated in muscle tissue. Isoleucine is needed for immune function, energy regulation and hemoglobin production.

Reasons to Supplement with Amino Acids

Muscle development is the most promoted benefit of using amino acids, especially BCAA supplementation, which is widely accepted as an effective method to achieve optimal muscle growth. Leucine has been shown to regulate and improve muscle protein synthesis after a workout, while other amino acids may help improve mood and sleep, as well as promote weight loss.

However, more studies are needed to determine these benefits. While muscle development and repair may be the two main reasons amino acids are recognized for, they can provide other benefits to your body, such as the following.

Prevent Muscle Loss

Muscle loss is one of the most common side effects of bed rest or illness, but essential amino acids have been found to preserve lean body mass and prevent muscle breakdown. This means you can recover faster and go back to your routine with less downtime.

Decrease Muscle Soreness

In line with the above, amino acids can help limit the muscle soreness that generally sets in after a strenuous workout.

Boost Exercise Performance

BCAA supplements are widely used to improve athletic performance after exercise. They can benefit both athletes and non-athletes, especially after exhaustive exercise.

Reduce Fatigue

BCAAs may ward off the mental fatigue that can accompany long hours of exercising. Usually, when your BCAA levels drop, your body produces more tryptophan, which leads to a feeling of tiredness and mental fatigue as well. The role of BCAA supplements is to prevent this process.

Improve Mental Focus

Keeping tryptophan away, amino acid supplements help to improve your mental focus. This way you can fully dedicate to your exercise and aim for better results.

Always make sure to read the product information and details before making a purchase and make sure to follow the instructions given by your fitness trainer or health diet advisor.