NEED FOR AMINO
AMINO ACIDS
Most athletes already know about the benefits of amino acids to sports. The many functions and benefits of amino acids are now becoming widely known so recreational athletes are also using amino acid nutrition more and more.
Proteins are the main component of muscle and proteins are made of amino acids. When we do sports or exercise, our bodies need much more amino acids.
Amino acids can be absorbed in the body in just 30 minutes. This means we can consume amino acids right away when our bodies need them. Amino acids are ideal nutrients for sports.
The main benefits of taking amino acids are improved endurance, faster recovery from fatigue, and reduced muscle soreness. Amino acids are also useful against metabolic syndrome.
Proteins are the main component of muscle and proteins are made of amino acids. When we do sports or exercise, our bodies need much more amino acids.
Amino acids can be absorbed in the body in just 30 minutes. This means we can consume amino acids right away when our bodies need them. Amino acids are ideal nutrients for sports.
The main benefits of taking amino acids are improved endurance, faster recovery from fatigue, and reduced muscle soreness. Amino acids are also useful against metabolic syndrome.
What Are Amino Acids???
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and serve as the catalyst for nearly every chemical process in the body. Most people associate amino acids purely with protein synthesis and muscle gain, but they’re also necessary for nearly every other physiological function, including enzyme production, hormone regulation, cognitive ability, neurotransmitter balance, and metabolism. There are 20 amino acids in total, and all of them are required to make these vital processes happen.
What Are the Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)???
Of the 20 amino acids, nine are classified as essential. Essential amino acids are the ones that the body can’t produce itself; they must be acquired through diet, specifically from protein-rich foods like meat, fish, and eggs, and of course, amino acid supplements. EAAs support the body in several critical ways:-
- Lysine plays a role in growth hormone secretion, which supports muscle repair and recovery. It’s also a critical component of structural proteins like collagen and elastin, which are important for building strong connective tissue.
- Methionine helps the body process and eliminate fat, promotes cardiovascular health, and supports liver function to help the body eliminate toxins.
- Phenylalanine has a pain-killing and antidepressant effect and is necessary for the synthesis of norepinephrine and dopamine. It also stimulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are critical for nervous system function.
- Threonine supports fat metabolism and immune function. Like lysine, it’s also a crucial component of structural proteins and connective tissue.
- Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin, which regulates sleep, appetite, and mood. It also has pain-suppressing qualities and can increase pain tolerance during hard workouts or competitions.
- Leucine is critical for protein synthesis, blood sugar regulation, and growth hormone production.
- Isoleucine helps prevent muscle from breaking down during exercise, which could lead to faster recovery. It’s also important for immune function, hemoglobin production, and energy regulation.
- Valine helps stimulate muscle regeneration and is involved in energy production.
- Histidine is a precursor to histamine, which can help you fight off the cell-damaging free radicals you produce during exercise. It’s also a precursor to carnosine, which helps turn lactic acid back into useable fuel and reduce soreness. Histidine’s status as “essential” is debatable since it can be easily produced in the presence of the other essential amino acids.
Essential Amino Acids USES:-
What else are EAAs good for, other than packing on the muscle and gettin’ swole? Well, as it turns out, a lot of things:- Muscle Maintenance: EAAs have significant muscle-preserving effects, especially when training in a fasted state. These include decreased indicators of muscle damage and the maintenance of a healthy inflammatory response.
- Exercise Recovery: Supplementing with EAAs post-workout increases muscle protein synthesis and net muscle protein balance. This may stimulate faster recovery and reduce fatigue after training.
- Appetite Regulation: Having a sufficient balance of amino acids may help normalize appetite because EAAs activate the brain cells that regulate hunger and satiety.
- Cognitive Function: Appropriate levels of tryptophan are necessary to produce serotonin and optimize cognitive performance.
- Improved Sleep: Amino acid supplementation has been shown to improve sleep and mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
- Metabolic Health: Proper ratios of amino acids could increase red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum albumin. They can also lower fasting blood glucose, support better red blood cell formation, and improve glycogen replenishment
- Fasting and Ketosis: Ingestion of high amounts of leucine triggers an insulin spike, which may “break a fast” and interfere with ketosis. However, this only happens when leucine levels aren’t balanced by the other EAAs, which help buffer the glycemic response. The insignificant insulin response from a supplement with the proper ratios of EAAs won’t interfere with fasting or ketosis, and might even make them easier.
- PROVEN BENEFITS OF AMINO ACIDS FOR ATHLETS;-
- INCREASES MUSCLE GROWTH
- One of the most popular uses of BCAAs is to increase muscle growth.The BCAA leucine activates a certain pathway in the body that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is the process of making muscle.In one study, people who consumed a drink with 5.6 grams of BCAAs after their resistance workout had a 22% greater increase in muscle protein synthesis compared to those who consumed a placebo drinK.That being said, this increase in muscle protein synthesis is approximately 50% less than what was observed in other studies where people consumed a whey protein shake containing a similar amount of BCAAs.Whey protein contains all the essential amino acids needed to build muscle.Therefore, while BCAAs can increase muscle protein synthesis, they can’t do so maximally without the other essential amino acids, such as those found in whey protein or other complete protein sources.
Muscle proteins are constantly broken down and rebuilt (synthesized). The balance between muscle protein breakdown and synthesis determines the amount of protein in muscle.
Muscle wasting or breakdown occurs when protein breakdown exceeds muscle protein synthesis.
Muscle wasting is a sign of malnutrition and occurs with chronic infections, cancer, periods of fasting and as a natural part of the aging process.
In humans, BCAAs account for 35% of the essential amino acids found in muscle proteins. They account for 40% of the total amino acids required by your body.
Therefore, it’s important that the BCAAs and other essential amino acids are replaced during times of muscle wasting to halt it or to slow its progression.
Comments
Post a Comment