Essential elements of our body, amino acids are the main constituents of proteins. There are different types of amino acids, depending on the origin of the protein in question. Each category of amino acids has different characteristics on the body and the organism, which adapt to the needs and objectives of the athlete.
What are amino acids?
An amino acid is a carboxylic acid, characterized by a carboxyl group (–C(O)OH), itself composed of a carbon atom. These are molecules absolutely essential for the functioning of the human body and organism. Because we do not store amino acids, our body makes them in two different ways. Either from scratch or by modifying others.
By binding to other molecules, amino acids form the proteins we know well today. Depending on the origin of the protein (dairy or vegetable), there are different types of amino acids.
The different types of amino acids
Essential amino acids
Amino acids are called "essential" or "indispensable" when they come from complete proteins such as those contained in milk protein (whey, isolate, casein, hydrolysate). As their name suggests, they are essential for the well-being of the body but cannot be synthesized naturally, or at an insufficient rate. Essential amino acids must then be supplied through diet or supplements. There are about ten of them, and the main ones are BCAAs (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine).
Semi-essential amino acids
Amino acids are called "semi-essential" when they can be synthesized by the body, under certain conditions. They can also be supplied through food in certain cases, particularly in newborns. Arginine, Glutamine or Citrulline are, for example, semi-essential amino acids.
Non-essential amino acids
Unlike essential amino acids, they do not depend on exogenous intake as the body knows how to produce them itself. Alanine, Glycine or Carnitine are non-essential amino acids.
Amino acids and how they work
Practicing a sport, whether intense or not, leads to a decrease in amino acids in the blood. If these amino acids are not quickly produced by the body or are not assimilable through food, deficiencies characterized by fatigue, muscle pain or insomnia can affect the athlete. This is why, at certain times, supplementation is necessary. Each amino acid has its own specific property and can compensate for these deficiencies caused by the energy burned.
BCAAs
As seen previously, BCAAs belong to the family of essential amino acids which consists of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. These amino acids are the most important for anabolism and muscle recovery. Only food and/or supplementation can provide the body with the BCAAs it needs. At Nutrimuscle, there are two types of BCAAs:
BCAA 4.1.1 Builders
BCAA 4.1.1 Builders aim to stimulate muscle building thanks to the overdose of leucine and the anabolic support of isoleucine and valine. They contribute notably to mass gain by stimulating protein synthesis and muscle recovery.
Beta-Alanine Carnosyn
Beta-Alanine is a non-protein amino acid (it cannot be incorporated into food) that serves as a precursor for the production of carnosine (a peptide resulting from the digestion of meats). Carnosine helps increase muscle contraction capacity, produces an anti-inflammatory action, improves recovery, and reduces fatigue.
Arginine
Despite its "semi-essential" amino acid status, Arginine should be considered essential for athletes, as physical activity increases their needs. Arginine supplementation in athletes increases the level of nitric oxide (NO). This gas facilitates the work of the heart by widening blood vessels. In addition, arginine promotes blood circulation, particularly in the muscles, and thus improves muscle pump.
Carnitine – Carnipure
Carnitine plays a primary role in energy metabolism and fat oxidation: it allows the transport of lipid molecules within tissues so that they can be burned. Thus, it is used in supplementation both for its "fat-burning" action and for muscle recovery, fighting fatigue, and its antioxidant properties.
Citrulline (L-Citrulline base)
Citrulline is a semi-essential amino acid and, like Alanine, is said to be non-protein. It is anabolic and participates in the molecular synthesis reactions of the body. Thus, Citrulline supplementation improves cardiovascular and immune health by improving blood circulation. In addition, thanks to its indirect action on NO production, it can compensate for deficiencies or even boost sexual endurance in men who do not suffer from erectile dysfunction.
Crystallized Glycine
Glycine is a non-essential and proteinogenic amino acid omnipresent in the collagen of muscles, tendons, ligaments and skin. This is why it is very popular in the fitness world. In addition, glycine combined with glucose, reduces the rise in blood sugar levels and has an impact on blood sugar, insulin and diabetes.
Glutamine (L-Glutamine)
Glutamine is a semi-essential and proteinogenic amino acid found in high concentration in muscles. Glutamine intake stimulates anabolism in muscles and plays a role in maintaining the athlete's health. It nourishes immune and digestive cells and thus prevents potential problems at this level.
Leucine (L-Leucine)
Leucine is an essential amino acid that stimulates muscle protein synthesis and reduces their degradation rate. Thus, like Glutamine, it has a natural anabolic effect and protects against catabolism. It is the most stimulating amino acid for increasing muscle volume. During training, it also compensates for losses and thus allows for better recovery afterward.
Which amino acids to choose according to your goals
Before starting to take amino acids, it is very important to choose them carefully to match the athlete's needs and objectives and thus increase their effectiveness.
To improve your muscle recovery
Builder BCAAs are the main amino acids for muscle building and mass gain. To be consumed before and after the session, they play a triple role in muscle building by stimulating protein synthesis, decreasing the rate of cellular degradation, and boosting the production of stem cells that will increase the number of fibers in the muscles.
Glycine is a perfect supplement to improve muscle recovery. It prevents injuries during training, strengthens tendons, ligaments, and muscles. For optimal results and good sleep, consume your glycine after each training session and in the evening at bedtime.
To dry and burn fat faster
Carnitine is the main fat-burning amino acid, which is why Nutrimuscle has chosen the purest form. L-carnitine Carnipure® plays an essential role in fat oxidation: it allows the transport of lipid molecules within tissues so that they can be burned there. In overweight people not following a diet, taking L-carnitine increases the proportion of fats used as fuel. Ultimately, this effect results in fat loss.
To prepare your body for effort
Pre-workout Musclepump - caffeine-free
Nutrimuscle's caffeine-free Pre-workout Musclepump is a blend of amino acids specially designed for pre-workout consumption. It contains Arginine (L-Arginine Base), Citrulline (L-Citrulline Base), Beta-Alanine Carnosyn, and BCAA 2.1.2 Resistance.
The Beta-Alanine Carnosyn present in the caffeine-free Pre-workout Musclepump acts as a nitric oxide (NO) booster, thus promoting muscle pump. L-Citrulline and L-Arginine Base jointly increase the nitric oxide level, allowing for better oxygenation and better muscle pump. BCAA 2.1.2 Resistance, for their part, have an anti-fatigue action by blocking the harmful effects of tryptophan and serotonin.
To improve your endurance
Carnosine is naturally present in muscles. Supplementation with Beta-Alanine increases carnosine concentrations in both type I and type II muscle fibers, thereby limiting deficiencies and allowing for greater physical resistance over time.
To take care of your health
Thanks to the creation of carnosine, Alanine has protective antioxidant effects for the lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen and brain. Carnosine thus exerts direct or indirect actions by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. For example, carnosine increases intracellular glutathione levels.
Carnitine is a molecule that the liver and kidneys synthesize from two amino acids (lysine and methionine), three vitamins (niacin, B6 and C) and iron. Methionine, responsible for the transformation of Carnitine, is an essential component that aims to protect the liver. Methionine also helps regulate cholesterol and thus contributes to good cardiovascular health.
Nutrimuscle glutamine, by nourishing immune cells and digestive cells (intestinal permeability), prevents immune and digestive problems.