What are the best amino acid supplements?
Amino acid supplements have become an increasingly popular way to help your body recover from workouts and reduce muscle soreness.
They come in a variety of forms, such as powders, liquids, and capsules, and can naturally be found in the diets of those who eat meat.
Amino acids are essential for muscle protein synthesis, which is the process by which cells produce proteins.
The presence of amino acids in the bloodstream initiates the process of muscle protein synthesis.
They are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to muscle cells when consumed in the diet.
They are used to build new muscle proteins once inside the muscle cells, resulting in muscle growth and repair.
Furthermore, some amino acids, such as leucine, have been shown to stimulate muscle protein synthesis more than others.
Nine Essential Amino Acids and Why They’re Important
These important chemicals are the building blocks of proteins, which are important for the growth and repair of our bodies.
Since the human body can’t make amino acids on its own, it needs to get them from food or supplements.
The 9 essential amino acids must all be obtained from outside sources since the body cannot produce them itself; these include:
- histidine
- isoleucine
- leucine
- lysine
- methionine
- phenylalanine
- threonine
- tryptophan
- valine
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of amino acids that have become particularly popular for their unique benefits in aiding muscle growth, reducing muscle fatigue, and even improving mental focus.
This trio of amino acids is comprised of:
- leucine
- isoleucine
- valine
They can be taken in supplement form or as part of a balanced diet by eating protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and nuts.
Non-essential Amino Acids
These are typically made in your own body, and aid in red blood cell creation, tissue growth, immune health, etc. These include:
- Aspartic acid
- Cystine
- Glutamic acid
- Alanine
- Arginine
- Asparagine
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Proline
- Serine
- Tyrosine
Which Amino Acid Supplement is right for me?
When deciding which amino acid supplements are right for you, it’s important to think about the combination of essential amino acids that will provide maximum benefits.
If your goal is overall health, a good dose should contain all nine essential amino acids in proper ratios for optimal absorption.
If you’re looking to gain muscle mass, you should look into BCAA supplements geared for muscle rejuvenation.
Additionally, it’s important to look at the quality of the ingredients used in the formulation; quality amino acid supplements should be made from amino acid sources that have been extracted from natural foods.
Ultimately, amino acid supplements can provide a range of health advantages by helping to ensure your body is receiving all the essential amino acids necessary for optimal performance and recovery.
When choosing a supplement, make sure to look out for products with high-quality ingredients and a balanced ratio of essential amino acids – this will help you get the most out of your supplementation.
Amino acid supplements are a great way to boost your health and fitness, but with so many products on the market these days it can be confusing to know which variety of amino acids is suitable for you.
To ensure you make the best choice, here are some things to keep in mind when selecting amino acid supplements:
1. Know Your Essential Amino Acids
As mentioned before, amino acids are essential compounds that must be consumed through a healthy diet or supplementation as they cannot be made by the body itself.
Make sure to look out for amino acid formulations that contain all nine essential amino acids in proper ratios for optimal absorption, and make sure your supplement contains branched-chain amino acids if your main goal is muscle growth.
2. Quality Matters
Another important factor to consider when choosing amino acid supplements is the quality of the amino acids used in the formulation.
Quality amino acid supplements should be made from amino acid sources that have been extracted from natural foods, such as lean meats, fish, eggs and nuts.
Third-party testing is always a plus when looking at options as well.
3. Consider Your Personal Needs
Finally, think about your own personal health and fitness goals when selecting amino acid supplements.
If you are looking for an amino acid supplement to help improve muscle growth or reduce fatigue then it’s worth looking into products that contain branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in their formula.
On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a general boost in overall health and wellness then look for products with a balanced ratio of essential amino acids.
Good BCAA supplements will allow you to reach your fitness goals, prevent muscle breakdown during high-intensity exercise, and reduce the amount of muscle fatigue and soreness you experience during recovery.
By following the tips above, you will be sure to make an informed decision that is tailored to your specific needs.
With amino acids playing such an important role in our overall health and well-being, it’s essential we equip ourselves with the right supplementation in order to get the most out of every day.
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy
Always at the top of my lists, Optimum Nutrition comes in as a viable choice for supplementation of essential and branched-chain amino acids.
For an added energy boost, this amino acid blend contains 5g of essential amino acids, 3g of carbohydrates, 5 to 10 calories per serving, and 100mg of caffeine extracted from coffee beans.
This pre-workout supplement is ideal for athletes who want to boost muscle growth and athletic performance.
The rundown:
- One of the best amino acid supplements for people who want both an essential amino acid supplement and a pre-workout supplement in one.
- It is available in around 13 different flavors and is relatively inexpensive at around $12 for 30 servings.
Jarrow Formulas BCAA Complex Capsules
This BCAA supplement is intended for people who want to gain lean muscle mass and help alleviate the soreness from muscle recovery.
The ideal 2:1:1 ratio of the free form, crystalline branched chain amino acids L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine combined with the conditionally essential amino acid L-Glutamine makes this supplement perfect for promoting muscle growth and fighting muscle soreness.
It has 7g of branched-chain amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The Rundown:
- The best BCAA supplement on this list for vegans
- You can get about 60 servings for around $33
- Very high-quality BCAA supplement
MuscleTech Amino Build
MuscleTech really outdid themselves with this one, and they have the reviews to prove it.
This BCAA supplement is intended to help you gain lean muscle mass and strength.
It provides 7g of essential amino acids and electrolytes, as well as 4g of leucine, betaine, and taurine to boost strength and build lean muscle.
The Rundown:
- Comes in strawberry watermelon and tropical twist flavors
- You can get 40 servings for around $24, so it isn’t one of the more cost-effective options
- I would recommend this BCAA supplement for bodybuilders and people who train for hypertrophy
NOW Foods Amino Complete
This amino acid supplement contains all nine essential amino acids as well as 4g of branched-chain amino acids.
This is also one of the only amino acid supplements on the list that has protein in every serving, even though it’s only 2 grams.
The fact that it’s vegan, packs 20 amino acids, and has a ton of vitamin b6, could debatably earn it the number one spot on any list of the best amino acid supplements.
The Rundown:
- Possibly the best overall amino acid supplement in terms of the amount of amino acids you’re getting, especially for those supplementing for health reasons
- Decently priced at $18 for 30 servings
Animal Pak
This supplement is intended for bodybuilders and other athletes who want to bulk up and gain strength.
Animal Pak is 8 different products in one, including essential and non-essential amino acids, digestive enzymes, various vitamins and minerals, L-Carnitine, and more.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to fitness supplements, this may be for you.
The Rundown:
- Convenient, all-in-one supplement
- Third-party tested and high quality
- Very pricy option at $36 for 44 servings
Thorne Amino Complex
Amino Acid Complex by Thorne Research is a dietary supplement that contains a combination of both non-essential and essential amino acids.
It is intended to aid with muscle soreness and repair while also promoting overall health and well-being.
The formula contains a balance of amino acids known for their role in muscle recovery and growth, including L-glutamine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine.
It is also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, making it suitable for people with dietary restrictions.
It is specifically designed for those looking for a dietary supplement to help with muscle recovery, growth, and overall health.
It is only available from the company’s website.
The Rundown:
- Contender for best quality supplement on the list
- It costs $45 for 30 doses, so it’s on the pricier side
- NSF certified to be free of banned substances
- 60 day money back guarantee
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine
Transparent labs BCAA Glutamine is easily the best of the BCAA supplements on this list.
They offer 5 fruity flavors for this supplement, all of which are sweetened with Stevia to eliminate the need for sugar.
This powerhouse contains 1 gram of coconut water extract to aid in hydration, 8 grams of BCAAs, and 5 grams of L-Glutamine.
The Rundown:
- Best quality for anyone looking for BCAA supplements
- Great flavor variety compared to competition
- Premium quality with a premium price, you can get 30 servings for $40
- Shipping can get expensive on orders under $100 in the US
Are there any side effects?
The use of supplements containing amino acids can result in nausea, headache, and pain.
If you are experiencing any side effects after taking an amino acid supplement, discontinue use and consult with your physician.
Ask your doctor if you are diabetic or use insulin, as amino acids can affect blood glucose levels.
Who should use amino acid supplements?
People looking to improve their overall health should use a supplement with a blend of essential amino acids.
Those of you looking to gain muscle mass and prevent delayed onset muscle soreness should look into taking BCAA supplements.
Ask your doctor if you should take an amino acid supplement if you are diabetic, taking any type of medication consistently, are pregnant or lactating, or are under the age of 18.
Conclusion
As much as dietary supplements like amino acids and BCAA supplements can help you achieve your fitness goals, it is important to remember that they aren’t required.
Anything you can get in most dietary supplements can be found in and are no replacement for a healthy diet.
However, we are all human, and it’s hard to always get the nutrients we need in a modern diet, especially living fast-paced lives the way that we do.
I hope that this has helped you find the right amino acid or BCAA supplements that are right for you, thank you so much for stopping by.
