In this article, we discuss best best time to take amino acids. As with many supplements, it’s important to time your amino acid for optimal effect.
What Are Amino Acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks for protein. Protein is crucial in almost all the body’s biological processes, and 20% of the human body is made up of protein. If amino acids are the building blocks for protein… it’s pretty safe to say we need them. Just like other supplements, it’s important to consider when to take amino acids. Timing your amino acid intake can greatly optimize the benefits of the supplement.
A big percentage of the body’s cells, muscles, and tissues are made up of amino acids. They carry out many of the body’s crucial functions such as giving cells their structure. They also help transport and store nutrients. Amino acids also influence our organs, glands, tendons, and arteries. They are crucial for healing wounds, repairing tissue damage, and removing waste deposits related to our metabolism.
When To Take Amino Acids
There are 20-22 standard amino acids. Of these, 8-10 of them are considered crucial. This meaning that we need to take in a certain amount of them to function properly day-to-day. Most amino acids, whether they’re essential or not, can be provided to our bodies from our diets. But sometimes we need a little help and there is nothing wrong with that! There are 8 essential amino acids and a few amino acids that are non-essential, but still helpful. Whether or not the amino acids are essential or non-essential, it is still crucial to know when to take amino acids.
Amino Acids Dosage
We decided to break down the dosages for amino acids on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to look at your diet and see what you are already taking in before moving onto supplements.
Essential Amino Acids:
- Histidine: 8-10 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Lysine: 12 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Phenylalanine: 14 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Methionine: 12 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Leucine: 16 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Isoleucine: 10-12 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Valine: 16 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Threonine: 8 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Non-Essential Amino Acids:
- Glutamine: 5-10 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Cartinine: 20-200 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- Cysteine: 200-300 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
- HMB: 2.5-6 milligrams a day per kilo of bodyweight.
What Are The Benefits of Amino Acids?
Each amino acid has its own benefits. We’ve created a list of the benefits you’ll see if you focus on all of the necessary amino acids. They will:
- Improve digestion
- Combat fatigue
- Maintain positive nitrogen balance
- Improve motivation
- Increase Vitamin D
- Maximize contraction and relaxation of muscles
- Enhance endurance and energy
- Help absorb proteins
- Maintain muscle
- Minimize fat build up around muscles
- Prevent muscle loss and fat storage when lacking glucose
There are also medical benefits to amino acids, aside from body building benefits. These are:
- Protect liver
- Reduce risk of poor fat metabolism in diabetics
- Treat sexual impairment
- Fight high cholesterol
- Stabilize mental health
- Wound healing
- Prevent muscle wasting when in deprivation
- Treat Arthritis
- Treat liver disease
- Treat cold sores
- Treat nerve deafness
What Are The Risks Of Amino Acids?
There are some risks that come along with amino acid supplements. These risks are:
- Weight gain
- Dangerous for athletes (increase dehydration and difficulty maintaining carbohydrates.)
- Imbalances (if not taking the correct amino acids together.)
- Kidney function
- Osteoporosis
Top Brands of Amino Acids
- Diet Standards
- NOW Foods
- Potent Organics
- Optimum Nutrition
- BPI Sports
Amino acids are life changing supplements that can leave you feeling better than ever. Never forget – when to take amino acids is just as important as taking them at all.
