Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements for Your Pre- or Post-Workout Regimen

What is an essential amino acid?

Amino acids make up every protein in every cell in our bodies. These amino acids belong to two main categories: non-essential (the kind our bodies naturally make from other things) and essential (the type that we must obtain through diet).

How many amino acids are there? There are 20 different amino acids, nine of which are essential. The remaining are non-essential.

Both categories of amino acids play a vital role in supporting a healthy body and exercise endurance. That’s why taking amino acid supplements can help you make the most of your workout routine, whether it’s three times a week or one time a week.

What Do Essential Amino Acids Do?

Essential amino acids can only be obtained through diet and consist of nine different proteins, three of which are considered branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). All nine uniquely support your body:

Isoleucine (BCAA): Impacts immune function, muscle metabolism, and the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy.
Leucine (BCAA): Impacts blood sugar, convert fat into energy, repair muscle, and stimulate protein synthesis.
Valine (BCAA): Can stimulate muscle growth and convert carbohydrates into energy.
Lysine: May support collagen and protein production as well as calcium absorption and immune function.
Histidine: Helps support nerves and support immune function.
Methionine: May play a role in the development and metabolism of energy from food.
Threonine: Believed to support immune function, fat metabolism, and structural tissue.
Phenylalanine: Can assist in enzyme and neurotransmitter function.
Tryptophan: Helps to produce serotonin and melatonin.

Since these amino acids are only present in foods, you’ll want to make sure you include them in your diet. So, what are some of the best sources of essential amino acids? Supplements are an easy way to make sure you’re giving your body what it may need, but you can also find essential amino acids in beef, lamb, pork, tuna, poultry, eggs, yogurt, salmon, shrimp, soy, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Can Help With Exercise Performance & Results

Some essential amino acid supplements can support muscle protein synthesis, which is important especially after intense exercise. Certain essential amino acid dietary supplements may also provide your muscles with the proper nutrients to help them reach a muscle-building state. Not to mention, they may help speed up recovery and improve performance for your next workout.

May Improve Body Composition

While it’s not always easy, it is possible to burn fat while building and maintaining muscle. Perhaps you’ve heard that higher-protein diets may help you achieve this goal. That’s because protein can shift your muscle metabolism to an anabolic state, where it builds and repairs muscles rather than breaking them down.

When To Take Essential Amino Acid Supplements

There are several times throughout the day when taking essential amino acid dietary supplements can support your body:

After lifting weights: To make the most of your workout, you may want to supplement with essential amino acids. Bodybuilding and other styles of resistance training can be draining, but these vital nutrients may complement the positive effects of muscle protein synthesis when consumed post-workout.
Between meals: We know that essential amino acids can help facilitate muscle protein synthesis. So, it should come as no surprise that taking them regularly throughout the day can provide your muscles with a steady supply of extra support.
During endurance workouts: Endurance training—like running, cycling and swimming—can be catabolic, which means it can cause your body to break down muscle and fat. Taking essential amino acid supplements during long training sessions may help your muscles repair more quickly. We know what you’re thinking—the last thing you want to do is eat or drink something heavy during a long run. The good news is that essential amino acid dietary supplements are typically lighter on digestion than complete protein sources.

Not sure when you want to take essential amino acid supplements?

Then choose an option formulated for any time of day, like the XS™ Muscle Multiplier* Essential Amino Acid Supplement. This blend is patented to assist in building lean muscle by delivering 4g of essential amino acids in each serving. Best of all, it’s free from lactose, dairy, gluten, cholesterol, and GMOs, so it’s easily suitable for many dietary preferences.

When it comes to post-workout, the best essential amino acid supplements are the ones that make your body feel its best. When combined with other healthy habits like prioritizing sleep and nutrient-dense food, you can help give your muscles the support they need.