Amino acids supplements

Amino acids are beneficial to every human body. Amino acids supplements are popular with body builders because they can help muscle growth in the body. Amino acids are essentially the building blocks of protein. The amino acids in protein help to build and repair muscle tissue and perform other important functions in the body.

There are two types of amino acids. They are essential and non-essential amino acids. There are nine essential amino acids and thirteen non-essential amino acids that have been identified by scientists. The nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine. The thirteen non-essential amino acids are alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, proline, tyrosine, arginine, and serine. The essential amino acids can not be made by the body and must be obtained by food and amino acids supplements.

Certain amino acids are called branch chain amino acids (BCAA). These are the essential amino acids, isoleucine, leucine and valine. These essential amino acids are very popular with body builders and weight lifters because they not only build strong muscles but improve overall health. Taking amino acids supplements is believed to help the body recover faster from training while at the same time the supplements can help promote muscle growth. Since amino acids are found in protein, it is important to have a diet that gives the body all of the protein that it needs. Protein is such foods as beef, chicken, pork, fish, some beans and legumes and dairy products.

Most amino acids supplements will include leucine, taurine and glutamine. The amino acid leucine is needed to produce energy and can help you feel alert. Taurine amino acid is usually included in supplements to help slow down the aging process. Taurine can also help with energy levels and helps the mind as well as digestion. Glutamine supplements will help the body shed fat while building muscle. As you can see, there are many reasons why athletes like body builders and weight lifters use amino acids supplements.

However, elderly people can benefit from amino acids supplements also. The amino acid glutamine can help people who suffer from cancer, immune deficiencies and traumas. Amino acids supplements can help elevate the mood and relieve depression. Amino acids can be converted into neurotransmitters in the brain. It has been discovered that a low level of a certain kind of neurotransmitters in the brain can lead to depression. Glutamine increases GABA which is another amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. If you have enough GABA in the brain it will cause you to feel calm and can reduce anxiety and you will be able to handle stress a lot better. Some people even call it a natural tranquilizer. On the other hand, if you have too little of the amino acid glutamine it can cause depression, alcohol cravings and fatigue.

If you live a stressful life, you may want to consider taking amino acids supplements that include phenylalanine. This amino acid supplement can help built neurotransmitters called dopamine and norepinephrine which can help you cope better with stress also.

Eating protein-rich foods is also a way to get amino acids. One way to eat more protein is to include a lean protein serving in each meal. If you are taking amino acids supplements you should only add one supplement at a time and wait to see how you feel. Before you take any amino acids supplement you should discuss it with your medical doctor first, especially if you are taking medications. You can find amino acids supplements on the internet or at your health food stores. Some grocery and drug stores are now carrying them too.

[quote|tags=amino acids]

Last updated on Aug 19th, 2010 and filed under Health Supplements. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed