Amino Acids

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino Acids are a critical part of a healthy diet. They help you build muscle, retain muscle, provide energy, and can even boost your immune system. There are many different amino acids, most of which are naturally produced by the body or can be had via a diet that is heavy in protein rich foods. There are 9 amino acids that are NOT produced by the body on its own, these are known as the EAA’s, the Essential Amino Acids. Of these 9, there are 3 which are considered most important for muscle building and recovery. These are Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine, the BCAA’s, or Branched-Chain Amino Acids. They’re called branched-chain because of their chemical structure which is different from the rest of the amino acids and is what facilitates their special importance in muscle building, retention, and recovery.

Below are details on what precisely amino acids can do for you.

Protein Synthesis: Your body uses amino acids to create proteins. When you work out, your muscles experience minor tears. These tears are natural and necessary for muscle growth. Your body uses amino acids to repair this damage by generating new muscle tissue. This process is called protein synthesis.

Preventing Muscle Breakdown: During exercise, especially intense or prolonged workouts, your body may enter a state of catabolism, or muscle protein breakdown, especially if you're not consuming enough dietary protein or calories. Amino acids, particularly Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs), are thought to help reduce muscle breakdown and promote muscle protein synthesis.

Energy Production: Certain amino acids (the BCAAs), can also be metabolized in muscle tissue to provide energy during exercise.

Enhanced Recovery: Amino acids, particularly the BCAAs, can potentially enhance recovery post-workout by reducing muscle soreness and inflammation. The faster your muscles recover, the sooner you can get back to training.

Hormone Regulation: Some amino acids, like glutamine, are involved in maintaining a healthy immune system, gut health, and may also play a role in hormone regulation, leading to better muscle recovery and growth.

Amino Acid Sources

While you can supplement amino acids with products like REDCON1 GRUNT, BREACH, and BCAA, which you can get at REDCON1.com (using the code MASSIVEGUNS for 20% off) it’s not as hard as you might think to get amino acids from a balanced diet as you might think. Below are some good options for foods with amino acids.

Animal Sources: Animal proteins such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products are complete sources of essential amino acids.

Beans and Lentils: They are high in lysine, an essential amino acid deficient in many other plant sources.

Quinoa: It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine EAA’s.

Tofu & Soy Products: Soya is one of the few complete plant-based proteins, providing all the essential amino acids your body needs.

Nuts & Seeds: They are a good source of amino acids although not a complete source. But combining them with grains can form a complete amino acid profile.

Brown Rice & Whole Grains: They're rich in amino acids, especially when combined with beans.

Spirulina: This is a type of blue-green algae that's a surprisingly good source of protein and provides all the essential amino acids.