| Much is said about amino acids as part | | | | (BCAA's) which are considered the most |
| of good bodybuilding supplementation but | | | | important of all. The BCAA's are |
| few people know exactly what an amino | | | | Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. The main |
| acid is or what its role is in the | | | | way they vary from the other 19 amino |
| health and growth of muscle to a body. | | | | acids is that they are primarily |
| This article will aim to look at some of | | | | metabolized in skeletal muscle rather |
| the important aspects of amino acids and | | | | than other tissues of the body. They |
| help you to understand how vital they | | | | serve many functions for skeletal |
| can be in gaining an advantage at the | | | | muscles including the enhancing muscular |
| gym. | | | | cell energy production, enhancing |
| In simple terms an amino acid is the | | | | protein synthesis, stimulating metabolic |
| building block of protein. When we | | | | signals, and being a precursor for the |
| consume protein it is synthesized or | | | | formation of other amino acids. |
| broken down into various amino acids | | | | It is through the study of amino acids |
| then put together again to form new | | | | that scientists are beginning to develop |
| proteins that make up most solid parts | | | | a new kind of supplement for |
| of our body, skin, eyes, hair, and | | | | bodybuilders. With the knowledge of the |
| especially muscle. | | | | workings of amino acids at a cellular |
| There are 22 different amino acids in | | | | level, they are learning how to |
| total. 8 of these are considered | | | | manipulate them for the purpose of great |
| essential to our bodies and 14 are | | | | effects on the human body. Some examples |
| considered non essential. While the | | | | of this are the new amino acid |
| essential of the 22 are mainly supplied | | | | combinations seen in a muscle building |
| to us adequately through a balanced | | | | stack of three supplements Leukic, Gakic |
| healthy diet, a select few of the non | | | | and Creakic offered by company |
| essential ones have been shown to be | | | | Muscletech. These supplements are unlike |
| most significant for bodybuilders. | | | | the average protein or creatine |
| However an important point to note is | | | | supplement in that they actually effect |
| that ultimately is a healthy protein | | | | cellular processes and provide near |
| balance that paves the way for increased | | | | instant effects to the body's chemistry. |
| muscle growth and that in fact without | | | | In this way they are able to give |
| it, any amino acid can become toxic in | | | | instant increases of performance, |
| its own right. Amino acids are a | | | | recovery and fatigue resistance and are |
| supplement, an addition to an already | | | | proving to be a force to be reckoned |
| strong diet. | | | | with in the bodybuilding community. |
| Some of the essential amino acids | | | | As you can see, correct amino acid |
| include, Lysine, Phenylalanine, | | | | supplementation does play an important |
| Histidine and Methionine and serve many | | | | role in the diet of an athlete. |
| functions from improving digestion to | | | | Moreover, if you are neglecting your |
| enhancing, stimulating hormone release | | | | amino acid intakes and are competing |
| to assisting in the breakdown of fats to | | | | whether it be with your friends or in |
| the improvement of memory and many more. | | | | real competition, you are surely at a |
| Another important group of Amino acids | | | | disadvantage. |
| are called Branched Chain Amino Acids | | | | |