Understanding Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Life

Amino acids are the building blocks of the body. They form the proteins that make up your tissues and organs. Since your body cannot produce essential amino acids, they must be provided through the food you eat each day to remain in optimal health.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and play a key role in building muscle and supporting various functions like enzyme production, hormone regulation, brain health, mood balance, metabolism, and energy levels. As we age and start to lose muscle mass, it can lead to other health issues, making it important to focus on building lean muscle.

Unfortunately, many people don't get enough of these essential nutrients from their diets. Our bodies don’t store amino acids for long, so we need to replenish them daily to maintain good health. Moreover, getting the right amount of amino acids can be challenging, especially since many modern foods are heavily processed and not easily digestible, making nutrient absorption difficult.

What are the Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)?

Out of the 20 amino acids that comprise proteins, nine are considered essential amino acids (EAAs), which the body cannot produce on its own. To support the body's energy production, these must be obtained through diet and supplementation.*

The 9 Essential Amino Acids: phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, methionine, histidine, leucine, and lysine

Amino Acid Supplementation: Importance and Benefits

While a balanced diet usually provides adequate amino acids for most individuals, there are situations where supplementation may be beneficial:

Muscle Growth and Recovery: Amino acids such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) - leucine, isoleucine, and valine - are popular among athletes and bodybuilders for helping to promote muscle protein synthesis and reducing muscle breakdown.*

Improved Exercise Performance: BCAAs have been shown to help reduce exercise-induced fatigue and improve endurance during prolonged exercise sessions.*

Support for Aging Muscles: As we age, muscle protein synthesis declines. Supplementing with essential amino acids may help maintain muscle mass and function in older adults.*

Additionally, Amino Acids are important for:

• Promoting muscle protein synthesis*
• Reducing muscle soreness*
• Increasing energy production*
• Promoting healthy blood sugar*
• Supporting cardiovascular health*
• Strengthening connective tissue*
• Maintaining muscle mass*
• Immune system health*
• Mood regulation*
• Fat metabolism*
• DNA repair*
• Wound healing*
• Digestive wellness*

Amino acids are essential molecules that support a wide range of functions in our bodies. Ideally, you'd get them from a balanced diet, but sometimes additional supplementation may offer that extra help, especially if you have specific health goals or conditions. Please ensure to consult your healthcare professional before adding any health and wellness supplements to your daily routines.