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Amino Acids

Amino acids are a crucial aid to your muscle growth and development. At Sweatband.com, we offer the full range of essential and non-essential amino acids in easy to swallow tablets and great tasting powders, to integrate into your current lifestyle and supplement your exercise regime.

Choose from our range of essential AA’s for those of you on a plant-based diet or undertaking a high-intensity exercise, BCAA’s for comprehensive muscle growth support or our unique individual AA’s which promote everything from good immune response to cardiovascular health and healthy ageing.

Read on to discover which of our AA products would best suit your needs.

 

WHAT ARE AMINO ACIDS?

We can think of amino acids as the building blocks our bodies need to function. They are the byproduct of protein metabolism which helps us build our muscle strength and function. We have essential and non-essential amino acids, and it is important we get sufficient protein throughout our diet to provide us with the full range. If we only consume one or two main protein sources, we may risk being deficient in specific amino acids which benefit the body, and this can be a particular risk if we follow a plant-based diet.

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AMINO ACIDS?

Different types of amino acids have a unique value for our health and can be a great aid in muscle growth and recovery. When we are active, we can benefit from supplementary amino acids to help us to meet our health and fitness goals. Below are some of the most beneficial amino acid subtypes we supplement to support your exercise regimes.

BCAA SUPPLEMENTS

Branch chain amino acids are composed of three of the most essential amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine. The body cannot make its own form of these essential building blocks and therefore we must consume enough via diet and supplementation. BCAA’s have been shown in trials to improve muscle growth, reduce exercise-associated muscle soreness, and reduce the speed of muscle fatigue during workouts.

EAA SUPPLEMENTS

These are supplements containing all 9 of the essential amino acids. Supplementary EAA’s are great for those on a vegan or vegetarian diet, as it can be harder to obtain the regular intake of all 9 amino acids. Studies have shown merit for EAA’s in the growth and repair of exercise-associated muscle use. Sufficient EAA intake also encourages optimum nutrient absorption and improved immune response.

L-ARGININE

As well as acting as a precursor for creatine (proven to support muscle growth), L-arginine offers additional benefits for the cardiovascular system by encouraging the production of nitric oxide. This AA can improve immune response and reduce cardiovascular risk factors when taken in supplementary doses.

GLUTAMINE

This AA can act as an ‘anti-fatigue agent’ during exercise, by supporting energy production and cellular growth. It is also commonly utilised by elite athletes to improve immune function post intense exercise.

BETA-ALANINE

Ongoing beta-alanine supplementation is recommended for high-intensity exercise, as a way to increase muscle carnosine stores, which improves overall performance levels.


FAQs


HOW MANY AMINO ACIDS ARE THERE?

There are 20 different amino acids in total. 9 of which are essential, meaning the body cannot produce them, and therefore requires daily dietary intake to meet its needs. 11 of the AA’s are non-essential, and the body can manufacture them from the other AA’s it consumes via the diet.

 

WHAT DO AMINO ACIDS DO?

Amino acids have many vital roles in the body. They combine together to make specific proteins that influence everything from nutrient transportation to immune response and muscle growth.

 

WHY ARE AMINO ACIDS IMPORTANT?

Up to 75% of our body is made up of proteins derived from AA’s, and they affect so many of our key physiological systems, including digestion, healing and repair, growth, energy and much more.

 

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS?

The 9 essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. The non-essential AA’s are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.

 

ARE AMINO ACIDS SAFE TO TAKE EVERY DAY?

AA’s are necessary for the healthy functioning of our bodies, and studies have concluded as long as we don’t exceed the safe upper limit indicated on AA supplements, we have nothing to worry about, even with a high protein intake through diet.

 

WHAT AMINO ACIDS ARE LACKING IN A VEGAN DIET?

AA’s which are commonly lacking on a plant-based diet include lysine, methionine, isoleucine, threonine and tryptophan. Especially, lysine as it is absent from many grains and cereals commonly consumed by vegans.

 

WHICH AMINO ACID IS BEST FOR MUSCLE GROWTH?

The branched-chain amino acids of leucine, isoleucine and valine have been proven as effective in the stimulation of new muscle growth. Similarly, as L-arginine acts as a precursor for muscle growth-promoting creatine, it can be a great addition to the BCAA range.

 

IS IT BETTER TO TAKE AMINO ACIDS OR PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS?

We want to ensure we take in a good amount of protein via our diet, as protein is one of our three key macronutrients which contributes to our overall energy requirements. Specific AA’s have unique functions when supplemented, and fill in the gaps which might be lacking for you. A protein shake can be more cost-effective, however.

 

WHAT FOOD IS HIGH IN AMINO ACIDS?

Any food high in protein will contain a range of AA’s, however different proteins have different AA’s within them, some essential, some non-essential. Examples of food with a good essential amino acid level include eggs, quinoa, turkey and cottage cheese.