Amino acids
Amino acids are tiny molecule powerhouses that are the building blocks of protein, and your body craves them for optimal health.
Not all proteins are created equal. High-quality proteins are the ones that deliver the complete package of essential amino acids, the ones your body can't produce on its own.
What are amino acids?
- The amino acids are combined in various ways to make proteins.
- They build muscles and carry out numerous functions.
- The body needs 20 specific amino acids to maintain good health.
- A deficiency of these can result in decreased immunity, digestive problems, depression, fertility issues, lower mental alertness, slowed growth in children, and many other health issues.
Essential amino acids
The essential amino acids are 9 of 20 protein amino acids, and they can't be produced in the body alone: Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine
Other protein amino acids
These are the other 11 protein amino acids: Alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine (plus: selenocysteine and pyrrolysine).
Non-protein amino acids
Alongside the classical amino acids, there are more than 1000 non-protein amino acids! These have specific functions in biological systems, such as serving as signaling molecules, enzyme cofactors, or playing roles in the synthesis of various compounds.
What are BCAAs?
The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine are essential amino acids that play important metabolic roles, particularly during exercise and in the maintenance and growth of skeletal muscle.
BCAAs account for 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins and can serve as an energy source for muscle tissue during exercise.
Why supplement with amino acids?
The essential amino acids are a must-have in your diet as they can't be produced by the body. They are the body's superheroes when it comes to building and repairing muscle tissue. When you skimp on them, you're essentially cutting off the supply line for your body's muscle-building factory.
If you're serious about achieving that toned physique and maintaining peak performance, make sure your diet is packed with high-quality proteins with all twenty protein amino acids. Your muscles will thank you, and you'll be on your way to unlocking your full potential!
Read more
Read more about essential amino acids and see references on our blog post:
