Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Each protein consists of at least 100 linked amino acids. There is a total of 21 different amino acids.
The human body produces 13 of these amino acids itself (non-essential amino acids). The remaining 8 of these amino acids (essential amino acids) cannot be produced by the human body. These essential amino acids are supplied in sufficient quantities by a balanced diet.
However, intense strain on the muscles leads to an increased demand for special amino acids. These, compared to ordinary protein powder, can be absorbed quicker as the amino acids are available in a purer form. They can be processed by the body directly and they facilitate muscle growth just like ordinary protein powder.
Some amino acids come in an isolated form (L-carnitine, L-arginine) and usually serve a certain purpose such as, for example, to burn more fat or increase the blood flow.

Amino acids are sold in different dosage forms. They are available as liquid, powder, capsules or tablets. The most commonly used type of amino acids when it comes to sports nutrition are L-carnitine, L-glutamine, L-arginine, amino acid complexes and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids).