For years, experts and scientists have studied the importance of proteins to the body and in the diet. However, there are still some people who don’t realize how important amino acids really are for body composition, sports performance, metabolism, and health.
Keep reading to learn more about amino acids and their role in your good health.
The Basics of Amino Acids
Amino acids are protein’s building blocks. If you look at protein as a Lego house, every Lego would be a single amino acid. There are a total of 22 amino acids, with two being discovered recently.
Just like Legos can be used in different ways to build a house, the 22 amino acids can be arranged in different ways to build unique protein structures, including muscle fibers, immune cells, enzymes, and hormones. The body can make some amino acids from other components. These are referred to as non-essential amino acids.
BCAAs: The Unique Essential Amino Acids
A branched-chain amino acid, or BCAA, are the most common option discussed when discussing amino acids effect on fat burning. BCAAs are considered a sub-group of the essential amino acids, and there are three:
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Valine
These are beneficial in many therapeutic strategies and can be used for treating renal failure, along with certain types of physical trauma, including sepsis and burns. BCAAs make up approximately a third of the skeletal muscle protein in your body, which is why there is more interest today in the role of BCAA supplementation for athletes.
More recently, researchers have focused on the role of BCAAs in treating certain metabolic disorders for the modification of body composition and the role they have in enhancing exercise performance.
The Impact of Amino Acids on Muscle Building and Exercise
Supplementing with amino acids is something many athletes and bodybuilders have done for generations. The goal was to help maximize muscle growth and performance.
Supplementing the diet of seniors suffering from glucose intolerance with arginine and essential amino acids will help increase strength, muscle mass, and physical function. For seniors with sarcopenia, supplementing with BCAA leucine can help to prevent, slow down, and sometimes reverse this condition.
For people of all ages, BCAA supplementation can help reduce the rate of degradation of protein while participating in aerobic exercises. Taking BCAAs before intense aerobic exercise, such as running, will help improve performance, while minimizing physical and mental fatigue by helping to delay glycogen depletion, which is a stored form of glucose. This benefits individuals who have lower fitness levels and who engage in regular exercise sessions.
Adding Amino Acids to Your Exercise and Fitness Routine
As you can see from the information here, amino acids have a huge role in a person’s health and wellness. If you want to try these supplements for yourself and see how they can benefit your routine, it may be best to speak with a nutritionist or doctor. This will help ensure you take the right steps to improve your health and well-being.
