Amino acids are important building blocks that make up proteins. There are 20 different types of amino acids. Proteins are digested and broken down into amino acids by the body. Amino acids; It is necessary for vital functions such as protein production, hormone and neurotransmitter synthesis. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are the body's most important sources of protein production and are an important supplement for muscle development.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids vary. There are 3 types of amino acids. These:

Essential amino acids

It is not produced in the human body. They are also known as essential amino acids, which must be consumed externally. These are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

Conditionally Essential Amino Acids

Some non-essential amino acids are defined as conditionally essential amino acids. These amino acids are considered essential only in situations such as illness or stress. For example: even though arginine is not an essential amino acid, the body cannot produce arginine when fighting certain diseases such as cancer, and arginine is supplemented externally to meet the body's needs. Amino acids that must be taken externally under such special conditions are called conditionally essential amino acids. These; arginine, serine, tyrosine, and cysteine.

Amino Acids Produced by the Body Its Own

Apart from essential and conditionally essential amino acids, there are amino acids that the body produces itself. These are glycine, alanine, proline, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine and glutamic acid.

What Does Amino Acid Do? What are the Benefits of Amino Acid Products?

There are nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce. Their functions in the body are shared below.

Phenylalanine : Phenylalanine is involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as tyrosine, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which serve as messages in the nervous system. It plays an integral role in the production of other amino acids and the structure and function of proteins and enzymes.

Valine : Valine is one of three branched-chain amino acids known as BCAAs . Valine helps stimulate muscle growth and regeneration and is related to energy production.

Threonine : Threonine forms the basis of structural proteins such as collagen and elastin, which are important components of skin and connective tissue. It has a role in fat metabolism and immune functions.

Tryptophan : It is the precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates sleep patterns, appetite and mood.

Methionine : It has an important role in metabolism. It is necessary for tissue construction and the absorption of zinc and selenium minerals, which are critical for health.

Leucine : A BCAA like Valine, Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that is critical in protein synthesis and muscle repair. It helps regulate blood sugar levels, activates wound healing and mTOR and growth hormone production.

Isoleucine : Isoleucine, the last of the three branched-chain amino acids, also known as BCAA, plays a role in muscle metabolism and is found in high concentration in muscle tissue. It is important for immune function, hemoglobin production and energy regulation.

Lysine : Plays a critical role in protein synthesis, production of hormones, enzymes, and calcium absorption. Lysine is needed for immune function and collagen and elastin production.

Histidine : Histidine is used in the body to produce histamine, a neurotransmitter critical for immunity, digestion, sexual function, and sleep and wake cycles. It is also necessary for maintaining the myelin sheath, a protective barrier surrounding nerve cells.

What are the Benefits of Amino Acid Products?

Amino acids are generally known for their roles in muscle development and repair, but the human body also uses amino acids for many different purposes. All nine essential amino acids are directly involved in critically important processes such as muscle and tissue building, energy production, immune function and nutrient absorption. Therefore, essential amino acid deficiencies can affect the entire body, including the nervous, reproductive, immune and digestive systems.

Amino Acid Product Types and Amino Acid Prices

It is generally sold as supplements or supplements such as BCAA, Glutamine , Arginine , Creatine, EAA , Pre-Workout products, complex amino acids and their derivatives. Amino acid prices generally vary depending on the content of the product, the number of servings and the ratio of active ingredients.

What Should You Consider Before Purchasing Amino Acid?

First of all, you should determine your needs well. It is important to look at the amount of active ingredients in the products and the number of servings. Many amino acid products are inflated by adding unnecessary ingredients. For example: We recommend that you stay away from amino acid products inflated with maltodextrin and other similar substances, as well as products inflated by adding taurine and similar cheap amino acids.

What are the Properties of Amino Acid? In What Forms Are Amino Acids Sold?

Make sure amino acid products are made with free form amino acids. Many products commonly sold as complex amino acids are actually ineffective and expensive traps made from tableted soy or cheap protein sources. It is most beneficial to consume amino acids sold in tablet, capsule, liquid or powder form in powder form. Liquid amino acids do not provide faster absorption. They are just more practical to use.

BCAA Types and BCAA Properties

BCAA products are generally sold in 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 form. BCAA 4:1:1 form is more beneficial before training because it stimulates mTOR and growth hormone, while BCAA 2:1:1 form is more beneficial for muscle protein synthesis after training.

BCAA and EAA , the essential amino acids that form the basis of post-workout products, are very useful together with glutamine , arginine and other critical amino acids required for post-workout .

Although Creatine and Beta Alanine are very useful amino acids, taking them before or after training does not provide any extra benefit. These amino acids work by reaching a certain saturation in the body. You should pay attention to the fact that post-workout products are not prepared with cheap ingredients that are not needed immediately after training, such as maltodextrin, dextrose, creatine and beta alanine.

How to Use Amino Acid?

Amino acids are structures that do not require digestion in their free form. It is directly absorbed by the body. But it is not that simple. If amino acids are not dipeptides or tripeptides, they line up with other nutrients during absorption. The longer it waits for absorption, the greater the chance of spoilage.

Therefore, it is necessary to take amino acids before other nutrients and on an empty stomach as much as possible.

What are the Differences Between Amino Acid and Protein Powder?

Protein powders are generally produced from whey protein powder. It contains all 20 amino acids. It must be digested by the body. Amino acids are in free form and do not require digestion. It is absorbed directly in the small intestine. This makes Amino acids much more functional than protein powder. It is useful to use whey protein after training, but a mixture of essential amino acids, BCAA, glutamine and arginine in free form will be much more beneficial. It is also much more beneficial to use EAA, or essential amino acid, instead of protein powder during diet times.