Amino acids

Amino acids, essential for the functioning of the human body, are the basic "building blocks" of proteins. Over 500 different amino acids are known in the nature.

There are 20 known amino acids that make up proteins and are encoded in our DNA. In addition to building proteins, amino acids are involved in many metabolic processes. 9 amino acids are essential and cannot be produced by the human or animal body, or can only be produced in insufficient quantities.

Includes:

• Leucine
• Ioleucine
• Valine
• Tryptophan
• Histidine
• Metionine
• Phenylalanine
• Lysine
• Threonine

Replenishing these amino acids is crucial for everyone. Higher levels are needed for people who perform regular physical work or sports.

This is because sports and physical work cause damage to the proteins that build up the muscles (so-called micro-tears). To heal this, an inflammatory process occurs, during which the inflammatory cells digest (catabolize) the damaged muscle fibres and new protein is produced (synthesized) to replace them. - This explains muscle fever.

So the proteins that are broken down need to be replaced, the proteins we eat are broken down into amino acids and these amino acids are 'recycled' and made into new proteins.

Even single amino acids can stimulate muscle protein synthesis. In this respect, leucine (one of the three branched chain amino acids - BCAA) has the most powerfull effect. Leucine is therefore a particularly important amino acid for muscle building. Thanks to its action through the major regulator of protein synthesis - an enzyme called mTORC1. This enzyme can be thought of as a switch that allows or inhibits the production of new proteins within a given muscle cell. The amino acid HMB, which is derived from the breakdown of the amino acid glutamine, has similar effects. 

The amino acid glutamine plays a role in the health of our immune and intestinal systems.

Creatine is the amino acid that enables the body to use energy. And the amino acid arginine is involved in regulating blood flow. Both amino acids can provide you with energy before exercise.