List Of Amino Acids

Protein and bodybuilding have gone hand in hand for a long time. Whole proteins were the earliest bodybuilding “supplements.” Milk and whole eggs started it. Scientists quickly isolated the building blocks in protein. The amino acids were isolated and later it was determined that some of those amino acids were essential for muscular growth. It was also discovered that some amino acids are produced by the body, while others must be taken in through the diet. The latter are called essential amino acids.


Macronutrients (such as fat, carbohydrates, and proteins) that are broken down into their respective building blocks before consumption will be utilized by the body quicker. This eliminates a vital step in the digestive process. Amino acids are utilized with more ease, using less energy, than whole proteins. For this reason, amino acids are great when muscles need repair.


When amino acids were separated and identified it became possible to take in more of certain amino acids needed for muscle growth without increasing an already excessive protein intake. The essential amino acids are those that cannot be produced by the body, and therefore must be taken in through the diet. These include histidine, tryptophan phenylalanine, valine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, and lysine. Some amino acids that are not considered essential may still require additional supplementation. These include glycine, tyrosine, cysteine, arginine, and glutamine. Another nutrient that often gets lumped in with amino acids, and that has direct impact on muscles, is taurine.

Amino Acid Supplements

Amino acid supplements have been around a long time due to their effectiveness. They are generally safe in normal doses, however, extreme doses can lead to problems. The best part of amino acid supplementation is that it allows bodybuilders, who are already taking in large amounts of protein, to focus their supplement program. They can take amino acids targeted on muscular energy and growth. Their low cost also makes them an important part of any supplement program.


A good amino acid supplementation program might include branched-chain amino acids pre-workout with glutamine, ornithine, and arginine post-workout and before bed. This will ensure adequate amino acids for muscle repair and growth. The addition of taurine before the workout might give a much needed boost to the intensity. A quality protein shake in the morning will feed the muscles after the long fast, then additional amino acid supplements throughout the day will keep them fed. Amino acids truly are the foundation of any good supplement program.

List Of Amino Acids And The Basic Functions

Glutamic Acid:  serves as "fuel" of the brain and helps absorb excess ammonia (affects brain function).

Alanine: one of the nonessential amino acids involved in the metabolism of glucose.

Arginine: processes involved in detoxification of the body, in the urea cycle and synthesis of creatinine. It stimulates the production and release of growth hormone.

Asparagine: amino acids such as aspartic acid from. It also helps to remove ammonia from the body acts (thus protecting the nervous system) and improved resistance to fatigue.

Carnitine: This amino acid helps in reducing high cholesterol levels, can prevent or ameliorate cardiac arrhythmias and is also useful in some cases of bleeding gums and piorreas.

Cysteine-helps the body eliminate heavy metals. It is one of the amino acids involved in the growth and health of hair and also part of the factor of glucose tolerance.

Citrulline: involved in the urea cycle and synthesis of creatinine

Phenylalanine: belongs to the group of amino acids that help our bodies to maintain adequate levels of endorphins s that are responsible for the well-being. This amino acid reduces appetite and is useful for bodybuilders on pre contest diet.

Glycine: helps the body to create muscle mass (useful for muscular dystrophy). Useful to treat hypoglycemia and gastric hyperactivity.

Glutamine: can help improve IQ and various mental problems (low morale, principle s of senile dementia, etc.).. Of the amino acids known for being of help to combat addiction to alcohol.

Histidine: an amino acid precursor of histamine. It can help improve some cases of rheumatoid arthritis, allergic symptoms and ulcers.

Isoleucine: involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and maintains the balance of glucose in the blood. Involved in energy production and repair of muscle tissue.

Leucine: along with other amino acids such as isoleucine in the formation and repair of muscle tissue. Assists in healing of skin and bones

Lysine: involved with the synthesis of methionine in the amino acid carnitine and helps to treat or prevent herpes. Increases with arginine, the production of growth hormone.

Methionine: its deficit can cause some types of edema, cholesterol and hair loss.

Ornithine: collaborative, and other amino acids in the metabolism of glucose. In this case it does do stimulate insulin release. It can also help build muscle mass.

Proline: as other amino acids involved in the synthesis of brain neurotransmitters associated with the two temporary depression relief and helps in the synthesis of collagen.

Serina: involved in the metabolism of fats and fatty acids as well as makes the recursor of phospholipids (nourish the nervous system).

Taurine: is a conditionally essential amino acid and emphasizes its role in brain neurotransmitter. Assists in fatty degeneration of the liver

Tyrosine: prominent among the amino acid neurotransmitter function and may help in cases of anxiety or depression.

Threonine: aid in the detoxification processes with the amino acids methionine and aspartic acid. It also participates in the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

Tryptophan: precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This amino acid also acts as a natural antidepressant, promotes sleep and may also improve anxiety cases. Useful in therapy for alcoholism.

Valine: promotes growth and repair of muscle tissue s. It may be, within amino acids, very useful to reduce appetite and bulimia.

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