There is much hype around using amino acids for muscle gain and fat loss. As a doctor, I find most people are all geeked about using them, but they don’t know their purpose. So let’s dig into how to use amino acids for muscle gain and fat loss.
Twenty percent of the body is made of protein. The cells, muscle tissues, tendons, arteries, and organs all contain the building blocks of protein, amino acids. Furthermore, amino acids play a role in nutrient transportation and storage, wound healing, and your metabolism.
There are two groups of amino acids: essential amino acids (EAA) and branched chain amino acids (BCAA). EAA’s are those that the body cannot produce on its own, which is why they are essential to have in our diet. EAA’s include phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, histidine, arginine, and lysine. BCAA’s include leucine, isoleucine and valine.
How can you use amino acids for muscle gain and fat loss?
Amino acids have been proven to cause faster muscle recovery and slower muscle breakdown. The way that amino acids, specifically BCAAs, are able to accomplish this is because they are metabolized in the muscle, and not the liver. This means that they can be used, not only as a way to slow muscle breakdown and speed up recovery, but also as an energy source pre, during and post workout, delaying fatigue.
How can amino acids be used for fat loss?
Fat loss is a big topic these days, with more than two-thirds of the American population being overweight or obese. Nearly every person is concerned with their image, so if there is a way to get an edge on fat burning, then we better be doing it.
Amino acids that are capable at burning fat are glutamine and carnitine.
Glutamine
Glutamine helps counteract fat storage by affecting the body’s glucagon and insulin levels. This counteracts fat storage and is proven in studies that supplementation with glutamine resulted in fat loss.
Carnitine
Carnitine transports fatty acids very rapidly into the metabolic furnace, burning the fat rather than storing it, essentially increasing the oxidation of fatty acids. Carnitine is also responsible for transporting fatty acids across cell membranes to the mitochondria, the energy powerhouse of the body.
Do I take amino acids for muscle gain and fat loss?
I certainly do!
I used to simply take whey protein, but I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. Whey wasn’t working out for me for a couple reasons. Whey protein is high calorie vs. amino acids. What’s more, turns out I have a whey sensitivity. This means that every time I consume whey, it drives inflammation in my body and causes bloating.
Unhappy with my options for workout drinks, I created my own.
Peak Performance Drink is specifically formulated to support muscle repair, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent muscle breakdown. It also has a vitamin and herbal blend to maximize performance and reduce the inflammatory process from a rocking workout. It is a key ingredient in using amino acids for muscle gain and fat loss, and my personal athletic performance.
I drink Peak Performance Drink pre, during and post heavy weightlifting workouts, and after heavy cardio routines. I have seen great results, and I believe you will too.