Amino Acid Blends

About Amino Acid Blends

Since the first amino acid was discovered in 1806 in asparagus, named asparagine, the scientific understanding of amino acids and their roles in human health have increased exponentially. With research investigating the effects of various amino acids on healthy ageing, human performance, blood pressure regulation, muscle anabolism and much more, we are oinly scratching the surface of what these versatile nutrients can achieve for optimal health and exercise performance.

Amino acids are classified based on whether the human body can synthesize them or not. For example, tryptophan is termed an essential amino acid because the human body lacks the enzymes necessary to synthesize enough of it to meet human needs. Tryptophan is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, located in the gut and the brain, as well as melatonin. An essential amino acid must be consumed daily through food or supplements to maintain health. 

Another essential amino acid, phenylalanine, is needed for the structure of skeletal muscle tissue proteins and for the synthesis of catecholamines, which are noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine. In fact, muscle uses phenylalanine solely for the purpose of creating structural proteins. For this reason scientists use it as a marker when studying rates of muscle protein synthesis, i.e., they measure how much phenylalanine is released from muscle in response to a supplement. Whatever phenylalanine is not released is built into new muscle protein, making it a definitive marker. 

There are a host of non-essential amino acids and conditionally-essential amino acids, in addition to the nine essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids can typically be synthesized in adequate amounts, and are also provided through food. However, in some instances additional non-essentials may be helpful to promote particular biological processes. When it comes to conditionally-essential amino acids, certain circumstances, such as exposure to extreme physical stress, injury or shock, etc, can result in not be able to synthesize enough. Some of the non-essential amino acids can be helpful during exercise to promote performance, recovery and aesthetics.

Citrulline (often as Citrulline malate 2:1) has been shown to elevate blood arginine levels, perhaps better than arginine itself according to research published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2017. Once arginine levels are elevated, this amino acid can be used for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO is actually a gas that signals the smooth muscles of the blood vessels to relax. This causes dilation and enhances blood flow to the peripheries, such as skeletal muscle tissue. And with blood comes nutrients, such as oxygen and glucose, which enhance performance and recovery between sets. This may also boost the "muscle-pump" effect that gym-goers enjoy during and after exercise.

There are over twenty different amino acids that all play different roles in the human body, nine of which are essential. If we do not consume enough of these through diet or supplements, non-essential amino acid synthesis will be limited. Amino acid blends are convenient supplements providing unique nutritional benefits, whether they come in powder or capsule form. Whether it's a creatine loaded mass gainer powder or a funtional essential amino acid blend, there is sure to be a product at Sporty's Health to meet your needs.