Amino acids

Amino acids and their action

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and muscle tissue, in fact they have been particularly studied in relation to their effect on athletic performance. They have an ergogenic effect, as they mediate many stages of metabolism and many biochemical processes, the secretion of anabolic hormones, as a source of energy during exercise, tissue regeneration as well as mental function and clarity.

As we know from biology, there are 20 different amino acids involved in protein synthesis, each with different properties. Of these, some amino acids, 9 in number, are called essential amino acids since the human body cannot synthesize them but must take them in whole from food or other sources.

The rest, such as alanine, glutamine and tyrosine, can be synthesized by our body under normal conditions (non-essential amino acids), while some of them, such as arginine, can be synthesized under special conditions, such as during the infant development phase age or in the presence of toxins not to be produced in sufficient quantities (semi-essential amino acids).

There are three types of amino acid supplements. EAAs (Essential Amino Acids), BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids, Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine) and pure amino acids. The main difference between BCAAs and EAAs is the fact that the former are metabolized in the muscles, instead of the liver. This means that they can be used as a source of energy during training, therefore significantly reducing muscle catabolism, which is why they are more popular among athletes than the rest.


Benefits  amino acid supplements

• BCCAs increase the rate of protein synthesis. This happens because they have already been broken down into the necessary amino acids required by our body to carry out the process.
• They can reduce protein and muscle breakdown. Essentially this means that the less protein is destroyed, the more muscle tissue can be built.
• They reduce the feeling of fatigue, since they limit the production of serotonin, the levels of which often increase during exercise. Serotonin increases the feeling of fatigue, which means you are weaker during your workout. So, reducing serotonin means that you don't get tired as easily. This then in turn makes you lift more weight and do more sets, leading to greater muscle gains.
• They increase the rate of recovery, so that the next day you are again ready to push your body to its limits and develop muscles at the fastest possible rate.

In our online pharmacy you can find a wide range of amino acids from the most well-known supplement companies, such as Now Sports, Solgar, SCN, Zipvit, Health Aid, Lamberts and in various forms such as capsules, tablets, amino acids in powder or oral form, able to meet the complex needs of the athlete.