Amino Acids for Athletes

Amino acids. What is it?

Amino acids are the “building blocks” of protein in the human body. When absorbed, amino acids produce vital substances such as antibodies that help the immune system fight infections and recover from illnesses; enzymes that support biochemical reactions; hemoglobin, which supplies oxygen to the cells of the entire body, and hormones that have an active effect on metabolism.

In total, there are 22 different amino acids, among which there are nonessential and irreplaceable ones:

• Essential amino acids are synthesized by the human body from other amino acids. These include alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, glutamine, proline, glycine, ornithine, taurine, serine, adenine, guanine, arginine, histidine, tyrosine.
• Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body, as a result of which a person must regularly receive them from food. These are valine, lysine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan.

Amino acid forms

• Branched-chain amino acids BCAAs (isoleucine, leucine, valine) account for up to 35% of the total structure of muscle tissue. BCAAs are a source of energy for muscles, prevent fatigue and breakdown of muscle structures.
• The hydrolyzed form contains long amino acid chains that are destroyed before the amino acids enter the human bloodstream. This form of amino acids retains all its valuable properties during cooking.
• Di-peptide and Tri-peptide forms are instantly absorbed by the body. These forms of amino acids significantly increase the concentration of nitrogen in cells, which is effective and well reflected in anabolism.
• Free-form amino acids are not bound to other substances by chemical reactions. Free amino acids are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and do not require large energy consumption for assimilation and digestion. Due to this, they help to restore the lack of amino acids in the body as soon as possible, thereby preventing catabolism.

Sources of amino acids

Amino acids are found in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, milk, vegetables, legumes, peas, and grains. Usually, with a full and saturated diet, a person can get all amino acids from food. However, for athletes who are exposed to high loads during training and strive for high results, this will not be enough. The more muscle an athlete wants to build, the more balanced nutrition rich in amino acids he will need. It is very difficult to achieve this result with regular food. Therefore, professional athletes prefer to take free form amino acids and mixtures. Such drugs are easily absorbed and do not require large energy consumption of the body. For example, the eaten meat is broken down to amino acids and enters the bloodstream only after 2 hours, when liquid amino acids enter the bloodstream after 15 minutes!

The benefits of amino acids

Amino acids are a must for any athlete. They are essential proteins for building muscle tissue and promote faster recovery after exercise. Taking amino acids, you will provide your body with strength and will be able to build muscle mass quickly enough.

Among other things, amino acids form the protein (proteins) that make up the organs and tissues of the entire body. So, most of them play the role of neurotransmitters, transmitting nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. Thus, it turns out that amino acids are necessary for the human body to maintain normal brain function.

Amino acids also contribute to the better absorption of vitamins and minerals, they are helpers for better performance of their functions.

If you take vitamin B6 together with amino acids, then you will achieve better results in sports, because this vitamin is used by the human body for protein synthesis. The recommended dose of the vitamin is up to 50 mg.

Why do bodybuilders need to take fast-digesting amino acids?

Immediately after intensive training, the athlete’s body begins to accelerate the accumulation of glucose, while the blood is actively saturated with all the necessary amino acids. This happens within 60 minutes after exercise (“protein-carbohydrate window”). So, if, after exercising in the gym, you eat ordinary food rich in amino acids, then the latter will enter the bloodstream only after 2-3 hours, that is, after the “protein-carbohydrate window” closes and the desired effect will no longer be there. If you take free amino acids, which are synthesized in 15 minutes, then the body assimilates several times more nutrients and, as a result, the effect of training is enhanced.