Protein is made up out of amino acids, so some people take amino acid supplements, rather than drinking a protein shake. Different combinations of amino acids exist in the supplement world and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are the most common choice for replacing other protein sources.
Table of Contents
Protein powder or amino acids, which is better?
Although protein is made out of a chain of 20 amino acids, they all serve different functions. Protein powder and amino acid supplements can be used together or separately in the same diet.
Amino acid supplements do not contain the full spectrum of amino acids and are divided into blocks like BCAAs are. This means they don’t satisfy daily protein demand, and if they’re consumed in larger dosages, they can cause a metabolic imbalance.
Amino acids play specific roles, directly affecting your health, outside of your overall metabolic state. For example, creatine, the most commonly used amino acid in isolation, increases muscle growth, strength and overall performance in high-intensity physical activities.
The body of an active athlete would hardly obtain enough creatine from a balanced diet and protein powder intake. There is a good reason most professional athletes consume creatine monohydrate in isolation.
Amino Acid supplements have almost no calories. While the average protein powder scoop contains about 120 calories. If you have been exceeding your daily calorie intake, you might want to consider implementing BCAAs instead of protein into your diet.
Read this too: Great Egg White Protein Powders
When can BCAAs replace protein powder?
BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids are the group of the three most essential amino acids for boosting muscle growth and strength: isoleucine, leucine and valine. Together these three represent up to 40% of all amino acids in your body.
If you are not bulking up and instead trying to get ripped or to lose weight while preserving muscle, BCAAs are a better choice than regular protein powder. Furthermore, they can be consumed while working out, without breaking your fasting or putting your body to work on digestion.
- What to substitute for whey protein
- How to increase protein in baked stuff
- Is it good to drink protein powder
FAQs about amino acids
Why is it important to take creatine monohydrate?
Creatine is an amino acid that plays a major function in providing your muscles with enough energy during heavy lifting or intense exercises. Most professional athletes or bodybuilders take creatine as a separate supplement, as it’s quantity in food and other supplements is lower than the needed daily intake.
Can taking amino acids be dangerous?
For the most part, BCAAs are safe but like anything else, consuming high quantities may lead to danger. Taking an imbalanced amount of different amino acids or consumption in excess may increase your susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, as well as cause mood swings. BCAAs can cause nausea, headaches or stomach issues in some individuals.
How long is it safe to drink creatine for?
If you are using creatine monohydrate and taking it through drinking, with regular doses, it is estimated to be safe to take it for 5 years. Keep in mind, however, that in higher doses it may be unsafe and can cause damage to both the liver, heart and kidneys. A normal dose would be 3-5 grams per day for an active athlete.
User comment about protein and amino acids
Amino Acid Supplements For Building Muscle And Burning Fat
In the world of fitness and nutrition, there is little debate as to the benefits of including amino acids instead of protein in your diet. Protein alone, while considered to be the “building block” of protein, is not a particularly effective source of amino acid for the body.
However, when you take an all around approach to your diet that includes a healthy diet of protein, a well-balanced supplement of the many amino acids, and an active lifestyle that burn more calories than you consume, it’s easy to see why you’re able to build muscle and burn fat at the same time. There’s much evidence to support the idea that the more you include amino acids in your diet, the easier it is to build muscle and burn fat.
The best type of amino acid supplement for building muscle
What Type of Amino Acid Supplements Should I Use? The best type of amino acid supplement for building muscle and burning fat is the kind that contains a wide variety of different nutrients. In fact, there are thousands of amino acids present, although only a handful are actually used by your body for supporting various metabolic functions.
The most beneficial of these important chemicals exist in several different foods, including the so-called complete protein, those that include all of the necessary amino acids for effective muscle development. While there are certainly more expensive than protein powders, complete protein powders can provide a far better value for the money in terms of providing your body with a well-balanced, complete daily supply of essential nutrients.
A good protein supplement includes vitamins
A complete protein supplement will also contain all of the right vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that can have a positive effect on the performance and the health of your muscles.
You may need to do some research, but you’ll easily be able to find a complete protein supplement that meets your needs and tastes just as good!
When considering amino acid supplements for building muscle and burning fat, consider carefully the types of proteins you choose to take in order to avoid the possibility of developing health problems or eating too much protein.
In addition, make sure you follow a strict exercise program that burns off the most calories you have to burn each day. In other words, you don’t want to take protein bars or powder, but rather something that contains a wide variety of different proteins and provides a complete balance of these important ingredients. in order to gain the most from your protein.
