Sports & Amino Acid Supplements

Amino acids are an essential compound in protein and support our bodies in numerous ways. There are 20 amino acids we need to function, but only nine are considered essential and need to be consumed through food.

Our bodies use various proteins for jobs all over our bodies, and they each need different amino acids to work correctly.

The nine essential amino acids:

• Histidine – helps create histamine.
• Isoleucine – helps make haemoglobins and regulate energy.
• Lysine – helps produce hormones and energy.
• Methionine – helps with growth, metabolism and absorbing minerals and vitamins.
• Phenylalanine – helps produce dopamine, epinephrine and more.
• Threonine – important for collage and elastin.
• Tryptophan – Helps produce serotonin.
• Valine – helps with muscle growth and energy.
• Leucine – helps repair muscles, heal wounds and regulate sugar.

You can find the most amino acids in any protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, fish, quinoa, legumes, beans, and poultry.

As a lot of sports require you to work certain muscle very hard, protein-rich foods are suggested to help with repair, recovery, and performance. So, if you are a regular sportsperson or a professional, you may need to consume more amino acids than a regular person might for working out and everyday living.

BCAA’s are most important for athletes as they work on the muscles directly, so the protein building is more focused.

If you’re looking to build muscle or increase your protein intake for other health reasons, then protein powders may be a good supplement option for you.

It can help with several things like:

• Weight loss to help you feel full.
• Increased muscle growth.
• Preventing muscle loss.

There are downsides, however:

• Lower quality powders could be contaminated.
• Excessive protein intake can lead to health issues.
• t’s not cheap.
• It can be high in sugar.

Whey protein is animal-based as it has proteins like those in cow’s milk, and it’s been proven to reduce body fat, improve lipids, and promote muscle growth.

Hemp and other plant-based protein powders are ideal for those with dairy-free and vegan dietary requirements, but it is lower in protein. Although it does have additional fibre, calcium, and iron.

The differences are minimal, so the choice is yours, but they will both provide a healthy dose of protein.