Amino acids

Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins and play a key role in many biological processes. They consist of amino acid chains that combine to form polypeptides and proteins. In sports, amino acids mainly support muscle growth and tissue repair and reduce post-exercise fatigue. There are twenty different amino acids, which are divided into essential and non-essential.

More details about the category: Amino acids

The body cannot synthesize essential amino acids, so they must be taken in through food. These include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. The body can produce Non-essential amino acids: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. In sports, amino acids are often used as nutritional supplements to improve performance and speed recovery. Different amino acid supplements include BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), which contain leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are popular among athletes, as they are quickly digested and directly involved in muscle metabolism. Other necessary supplements are EAAs (essential amino acids), which include all nine essential amino acids, which ensures a complete amino acid profile. L-glutamine is another commonly used supplement. Amino acids are also present in protein powders such as whey protein, casein, soy protein, and pea protein. These powders are often fortified with additional amino acids to improve their nutritional profile. In addition, amino acids are included in energy gels, drinks, and tablets used during training or competitions for faster recovery and energy maintenance. The use of amino acids in sports is widespread, as they help with many physiological functions crucial for the body's optimal functioning during and after physical activity.