Amino Acids: Your Top 5 Questions!

You’ve probably heard athletes, fitness YouTubers, and Instagram gurus talk about ‘BCAAS’ or amino acids. Is it some kind of energy drink? Is it simply a refreshing beverage to drink during your workout? Well, not quite. We’ve put together the top 5 most asked questions about amino acids. You asked, and we answered, get ready to learn something new and bust some myths.  

What Are Amino Acids?  

In the world of science, amino acids are described as what makeup protein. They are essentially the building blocks of all your gains, the little pieces that bind together to form protein in your body, leading to muscle growth, tissue strength, energy and recovery.   

Put it this way, if an entire bracelet is protein, the beads that make up that bracelet are the amino acids. So, you could say they are kind of important.  The 3 main essential amino acids are leucine, isoleucine, and valine, they are referred to as branch chain amino acids due to their structure (this is where the BC comes from in BCAAs).  

Do we already have amino acids, or do we need to actively consume them?  

The essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. That might just sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbos to you, so here’s something you can actually remember.  Some foods that are high in amino acids are eggs, quinoa, cottage cheese, mushrooms, fish, legumes and beans. Your body can take the nutrients from these foods, break down the proteins into amino acids and then form new and improved proteins to form muscle, tissue and many other vital components that allow your body to function.   

Non-essential amino acids are already produced by your body whether you eat certain foods or not. These include alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid. You can relax and let your body take care of these ones. 

What happens if I take amino acid supplements?   

Why should I take BCAAs? Can I just use protein powder instead?  

They are lightweight, easy to consume, refreshing and low in calories. This is why many people drink BCAAs just before or during their workout. Protein, however, is typically taken within two hours post working out. Typically heavier and denser, many proteins are used to meet macro goals, promote muscle growth, build mass, or meet calorie requirements. With a similar end goal in mind, protein powders and BCAAs can actually work together to help you meet your goals.  

If your goal is to lose weight and build muscle, you might currently be in a calorie deficit. BCAAs could be a great addition to your regime, as they are low in calories, promote muscle growth and aid in your recovery. If the idea of taking a calorie-dense protein shake turns you off, BCAAs could be the right option for you.   

Can I use BCAAs and protein powder?  

Yes! The combination of an amino acid supplement and a protein powder could be extremely beneficial. Both working together to achieve the same goal, these two supplements can complement each other very well. Use your BCAAs before or during your workout and have your protein shake afterwards to solidify those gains.   

A great combo is Syntha-6 Edge Ultra Premium Protein by BSN and Amino X EAA'S by BSN. These two supplements can work together to help you achieve your body composition goals. Meet your protein requirements, smash your workout with an abundance of energy and get back to the gym after a speedy recovery.   

Amino acids are important. They allow our body to function effectivity and help us achieve our health and fitness goals both in and out of the gym.   

If you’re looking to get your hands on some great amino acids today, check these out: 

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