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Why are Amino Acids important


Why are AMINO ACIDS Important to the Body?
Yes, amino acids are beneficial to strength athletes. But they are also important additions to a dietary supplement program for other reasons as well. Amino acids are considered the building blocks that comprise protein. Protein, it follows, cannot exist without the correct combination of amino acids. If any essential amino acid is low or missing, the effectiveness of all others will be proportionately reduced. In the body, adequate protein intake is vital for virtually everything from healthy muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, glands, nails, hair and most body fluids. Besides water, protein comprises the largest portion of our body weight, and as such, the body's requirement for protein is directly related to good health. Additionally, the central nervous system cannot function properly without amino acids, which are necessary for the brain to both send and receive information. In fact, not only does every cell in the body contain protein, but protein makes up half of the body's dry weight. Protein is found in muscle, bone, cartilage and blood, as well as enzymes and hormones. Protein essentially allows muscles to contract and hold water, gives hair and skin a protective coating, and provides the rigid framework of bones and teeth. Protein also helps tissue form, regulates the body's water and acid-base balance, and stimulates the production of antibodies.
bulletAminos and Athletes

Amino acids supplements are very popular among bodybuilders, athletes and fitness conscious people. Their popularity stems from the belief that they promote ENERGY, SIZE, and STRENGTH. Amino acids are the foundation of protein, the stuff the body must have for growth, repair and muscle-building. Before amino acid supplements were accepted for Athletes, protein powders dominated the market. Your muscles are hungry for protein and is needed for repairing. Without total repair the body cannot start to build muscles. This is called a Plateau Stage. The basic components of protein are amino acids. Since proteins are broken down into amino acids by the digestion system, logic suggested that digestion could be by passed by taking amino acids supplement directly.
 

Intake of Amino Acids
All athletes need more protein when exercising heavily. It has been estimated that athletes requires anywhere from .09 gram to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight a day. Since amino acids are the building blocks of protein, they are necessary for building and re-pairing muscle as well. Collectlively, they work to raise the body's nitrogen level, helping to facilitate muscle repair and accelerate post work-out recovery.
 

Types of Amino Acids
A reputable amino acid supplement in conjunction with a nutritionally completes diet can help to form all of the muscle one can build in a day without the problems of excess fat and or cholesterol but more important, without straining the digestion system. But one can become confused with different nutritional supplement companies offering different types of amino acid supplement. Amino acids are available in a variety of forms ranging from single to combination to free form to peptide bonded to branched chain. They can be purchased as capsules, tablets or powders. Most amino acid supplements are derived from egg, animal or yeast protein. Most company claim their amino acids are better than others, while others claim that one type of amino acid are superior to others. I would like to dispel this confusion by describing the difference between all three types of amino acids (free form, peptide bonded, and branched chain) and how each one can benefit your needs.

 
Free Form and Peptide Bonded
"Free form" amino acids are not bound to any other amino acid. Peptide bonded amino and carboxyl groups combine to form "peptide" bonded. A peptide bonded amino acid, then consists of two or more types of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Studies have shown that peptide bonded amino acids are better absorbed by the small intestines than are crystalline free form amino acids. Crystalline free form, unlike peptide bonded, are single amino acids molecules. Free form refers to the fact that they are free of other amino acids. In recent studies, many companies have advertised that free form amino acids are the purest and most biologically active source of  amino acids on the market. In some circumstances this may be true.
 
Other companies tell you that the peptide bonded are the best. Sometimes they are. I happen to believe that both are useful and beneficiary for growth and development because each one is unique in its own way. Although there are some studies to support the claim that peptides are adsorbed more quickly, it does not necessarily means that peptide bonded are the best. While free form may not be absorbed as quickly in the small intestines, the body has to break the peptide bonded down into single molecules before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream, and should be taken with meals. This process takes approximately one and half hours where as free form are already at this stage, and should be taken on a empty stomach. The basic rule that I always tell athletes to follow is to use peptide bond amino acids for improving the protein efficiency ratio of dietary protein. Why? Peptide bond Aminos are usually less expensive than free form. Free form should be reserved particularity for your activities (workouts etc.) with peptide bonded with meals.Branched chain amino acids for recovery, because of their superior biological activity. Branched chain amino acids consist of three amino - L-Leucine, L- Isoleucine and L-Valine. As natural anabolic muscle-building supplements, they regulate how protein is used by the body and play a role in protein metabolism in muscles. While all of the other amino acids are broken down in the liver, branched chain amino acids are oxidized in the muscle tissue. Branched chain can be very beneficial for those using drugs such as steroids, liver damage, or those on high protein diet due in the stress these can play on the liver. A sort of calorie for the muscle, Amino Acids limit the amount of nitrogen released, preventing a rapid decrease in muscle protein synthesis. During intense physical exercise like weight training, stress on muscle fibers can cause damage. Amino Acids in any form can both prevent this from occurring and in many cases can reverse the process and build muscle. The type of amino acids depends on each individual needs. If one eats little amount of protein during meals than try adding two to three peptide bonded Aminos with each meal along with branched chain before and after work-outs. If one eat adequate amount of protein will each meal, you may not need to add amino supplement with your meal, than take free form (8,000-10,000) just before your workout and after. If your are in a intense train routine try free form (6,000 -8,000) before and branched chain after (2,000-4,000). Branched chain is also great for those legs day. 

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This product was added to our catalog on Friday 12 December, 2008.
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