 | 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.
|
|
|
- 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.
|
 |
Product
Recommendations |
- Body and Fitness
- Amino Acids
- 1500 mg each tab.
- 500 tablets
- 2 for $16.99 ea.
|
- Body and Fitness
- Beef Liver
- 500 tab.
- $12.99
|
- Body & Fitness
- Arginine
- Ornithine
- $17.99
|
- Twinlab
- L-Lysine
- 100 Tab.
|
|
|
- * Supports
testosterone production by stimulating leutineizing hormone (LH), a hormone that signals
your testes to start making testosterone.
|
- * Primarily metabolized in muscle
tissue.
- * Essential to the formation of
hemoglobin.
- * Should always be in well balanced
proportion with L-Leucine and L-Valine.
|
|
- L-Alanine
|
- * Used as body fuel by tissues of the
brain, nervous system and muscle.
- * Glycogenic (energy storage source
of glucose by the liver and muscles).
- * Builds up the immune systems,
producing immunoglodulins and antibodies.
- * Metabolizes sugars and organic
acids.
|
- * Metabolized in muscle tissue
- * Promotes healing of skin and broken
bones.
- * Lowers elevated blood sugar levels
- * Should always be in well balanced
proportion with L-Valine and L-Isoleucine.
|
- * Indispensable for optimum growth.
- * Stimulates the release of growth
hormone.
- * Important to muscle metabolism;
acts as a vehicle for transport, storage and excretion of nitrogen
- * Increases muscle mass while
decreasing the amount of body fat.
- * Increases collagen, the main
supportive fibrous protein found in bone, cartilage and other connective
tissue.
- * Plays an important role in
post-injury problems such as weight changes, nitrogen balance and tissue healing.
|
- * Inhibits the growth of viruses
- * Used in the treatment of herpes
simplex virus.
- * Produces L-Carnitine which improves
stress tolerance and fat metabolism and has an anti-fatigue effects.
- * Promotes bone growth by helping to
form collagen, the fibrous protein which makes up bone, cartilage and other connective
tissue.
- * Aids in the absorption of calcium.
|
|
- L-Aspartic Acid
|
- * Increases resistance to fatigue.
- * Involved in the formation of RNA
and DNA, the chemical bases of heredity and carriers of genetic information. Salts of
Aspartic Acid increase stamina and endurance.
- * Protects the liver and promotes
normal cell function.
- * Builds up the immune system,
producing immunoglobulins and antibodies.
|
- * Is lipotropic, preventing excessive
fat buildup in the liver.
- * Helps prevent premature hair loss.
- * Interacts with other body
substances to detoxify harmful compounds.
|
- * Aside from this amino acid's
ability to transport fatty acids and prevent fatty build-up, L-carnitine aids in weight
loss, decreases the risk for heart disease and has been shown to improve athletic ability.
|
- * This amino acid is a powerful
antioxidant which exists in the cell "water" and in the energy-producting
components of cells known as the mitochondria. NAC serves as a major buffer against
free-radicals. Shortages of this chemical may be associated with slow recovery from
workouts and reduced protection from injury.
|
- * This nutrient is part of the amino
acid family found in a variety of foods - the richest source found in lean red meat.
- * Every effective for weightraining.
- * Increases muscle size and strength
and is one of the muscles main energy sources.
- * Allow more recover between sets and
an increase of muscle strength.
- * Promotes "cell
volumizing" meaning more water inside the muscle cells and less water retention on
the outside (which can make you look smooth).
|
- * Stimulates the release of growth
hormone which increases muscle mass while decreasing the amount of body fat.
- * Helps build up the immune system.
- * Promotes liver function and
regeneration.
- * Important in the formation of urea,
detoxifying ammonia which is poisonous to living cells.
- * Promotes healing.
|
- * Found to increase hair growth by as
much as 100%
- * Effective in preventing not only
hangovers but liver damage from alcohol.
- * Helps prevent damages from the ill
effects of cigarette smoke.
- * Detoxifies many harmful chemicals.
Helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
- * Promotes healing and the immune
system.
|
| L-Proline
|
- * Extremely important for the proper
function of joints and tendons, as well as good heart muscles.
- * Glycogenic (energy storage source
of glucose by the liver and muscles).
- * A major constituent of collagen,
the main fibrous protein found in bone, cartilage and other connective tissue.
|
- * Essential for the formation of skin
and hair.
- * Promotes recovery from surgical
operations and burns.
- * Used in the treatment of
respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis.
- * Stimulates white blood cell
activity in the immune system necessary for the resistance to disease.
|
- * Produces and maintains an elevated
and positive mood, alertness and ambition.
- * Enhances learning and memory.
- * Produces neurotransmitters which
control impulse transmission between nerve cells.
- * Is involved in dopamine
transmission
- * Used in the treatment of certain
types of depression
- * Suppresses appetite
|
| L-Glutamic Acid
|
- * Especially important in brain
metabolism.
- * Functions as a brain fuel serving
as an excitatory neurotransmitter.
- * Transports potassium across the
blood brain barrier.
- * Combines to form L-Glutamine and in
the process picks up ammonia radicals. This is the only method the brain has of
detoxifying ammonia.
- * Metabolizes sugars and fats.
- * Increases the blood sugar levels;
used in the treatment of hypoglycemia.
|
- * Found in high concentrations in the
tissues of the heart, skeletal muscle and central nervous system.
- * Used to treat some forms of
epilepsy by controlling seizures.
- * This is the second most abundant
amino acid in muscle tissue. A recent study showed that supplementing, 500 mg. may
decrease protein breakdown by 20%
|
- * This is the most abundant amino
acid in muscle tissue. Scientific studies seem to support the theory that glutamine
supplementation may be important to maximizing muscle growth. In one recent study, it was
shown that just a two-gram dose of glutamine caused a rather significant increase in
growth-hormone levels.
|
- * Plays an important role in the
function of the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands
- * Generates red and white blood
cells.
- * Elevates mood.
- * Is used in the treatment of
anxiety, depression and insomnia.
- * Produces noreoinephrine, an
appetite inhibitory neurotransmitter that suppresses appetite.
- * Stimulates the release of growth
hormone which causes muscle growth and reduces body fat.
|
|
- L-Glycine
|
- * Of special value as a source of
creatine which is essential for muscle function, breaking down glycogen and freeing
energy.
- * Produces glycogen which mobilizes
glycogen (a stored energy source of glucose) from the liver.
- * Builds up the immune system,
producing immunoglobulins and antibodies.
- * Acts as a nitrogen pool for the
synthesis of non-essential amino acids.
- * Effective for hyperacidity (used in
many gastric antacid agents.)
|
- * Glycogenic (energy storage source
of glucose by the liver and the muscle).
- * Metabolized in muscle.
- * Should always be in well balanced
proportion with L-Leucine and L-Isoleucine.
- * Used in the treatment of severe
amino acid deficiencies caused by addictions.
|
