Definition
Amino acids are known as the building blocks of proteins and are found in every cell of a living being. They can be divided into two groups, the essential (cannot be produced in the body) amino acids and the non-essential (can be produced in the body) amino acids. There are a total of 20 amino acids that can combine to form a wide variety of proteins.
The eight essential amino acids are contrasted by twelve non-essential amino acids. According to the latest research, the group of proteinogenic (necessary for the production of proteins) amino acids could be increased to 23. If you look not only at the proteinogenic amino acids but at all existing amino acids, you will find that there are well over 200 amino acids. However, most of these amino acids have nothing to do with protein synthesis in the body.
Effect of the amino acids
As the smallest building blocks of proteins, amino acids participate in many processes in the human body. They are found in many organs and control metabolic processes and enzymes. Depending on their destination and task, the individual amino acids join together to form long branched chains.
Depending on which and how many amino acids combine, different effects develop and thus also different places of application. Amino acids play a role in endurance, performance, regeneration and susceptibility to injury. But amino acids can also help with depression and negative moods can be reduced by amino acid preparations.
Amino acids can also strengthen bones and cartilage and can also help with erectile dysfunction in men. They play a role in the production of new blood cells as well as in the release of hormones. Thus they are indirectly responsible for energy control and by releasing testosterone amino acids can participate in muscle growth and control these processes.
During muscle building and performance growth, amino acids are needed to provide energy and form new muscle cells. Amino acids are important for regeneration because they are jointly responsible for muscle building processes and the replenishment of nutrient stores in the body immediately after training. A deficiency here manifests itself in tiredness, depressed mood and lack of drive, which also impairs performance.
The immune system is also weakened in this case and the body is more susceptible to illness and injury. If one notices deficiency symptoms such as depression, immune deficiency or fatigue itself, this may be due to a low amino acid level. Even though the human body has no direct amino acid stores, there are about 200 grams of amino acids in a so-called amino acid pool that is always available to the body. Competitive athletes and also bodybuilders use amino acid preparations in order to provide the body with sufficient energy at all times, as well as to positively influence the ability to regenerate and the muscle build-up.