The Benefits of Amino Acids and How To Use Them Properly: There are so many supplements on the market that it can be hard to know which ones might benefit you, and which ones might drain your bank account unnecessarily. Blanket statements and marketing tactics make it very difficult to know what specific products will actually benefit your individual needs, because not every supplement is right for every person. Essential amino acids (EAAs), however, are one of those supplements that truly benefits just about every individual no matter their varying health goals. Today we’re going to explore what essential amino acids are, how they vary from branch chain amino acids (BCAAs), and how to use EAA’s properly to get the most out of them!

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are essential and benefit about every function that takes place within your body. Although people often associate amino acids with building muscle (they do help with that), that is only scratching the surface of the role that they play in the body. EAAs are required for functions including the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, metabolic pathways, mental stabilization, and cellular energy just to name a few.

There are 20 amino acids in total, all of them required to perform the tasks mentioned above. Of the 20, nine of them are considered to be essential, because they are the ones that the body cannot produce endogenously. Unlike the other 11 that can be produced by the body, these nine essential amino acids must be consumed through the diet.

The nine essential amino acids are:

• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Leucine
• Isoleucine
• Valine
• Histidine

Essential Amino Acids vs. Branch Chain Amino Acids

Amino acids have been a staple supplement in the fitness industry for half a century, most notably branch chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are a combination of three of the essential amino acids, namely leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These specific three amino acids are metabolized in the muscle instead of the liver, and so have been marketed by the supplement industry as the go-to for athletic performance and recovery. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

To start off, there have been zero human studies that demonstrate causation between BCAAs and improved athletic performance or recovery. None. In fact, a few of these studies showed that BCAAs actually had the opposite of their marketed effect, and actually decreased protein synthesis. The studies demonstrated that in isolation, BCAAs caused the body to break down muscle instead of preserve or grow it. Indeed: all of the essential amino acids must be present to complete protein synthesis.

Examining the BCAA literature will draw attention to other problematic outcomes, including the fact that large doses of BCAAs can deplete the body’s B vitamin stores, can hinder serotonin production, and may even promote insulin resistance.

Essential amino acids (EAAs) carry any of the benefits of BCAAs without any of the negative ones, due to their complete profile. EAAs are one of the most scientifically-backed supplements on the market today to boost athletic performance, recovery, and promote general wellbeing.

So although the three branch chain amino acids are necessary to promote protein synthesis, they only start off the process; without the other six EAAs, it cannot be completed.

The health benefits of EAA’s are vast, and include:

• Exercise recovery
• Maintenance of muscle
• Cognitive function
• Metabolic health
• Improved sleep
• Appetite regulation
• Fasting and ketosis

Why Kion?

Kion’s Essential Amino Acids supplement is 99% utilized by the body for protein synthesis. It is a combination of these EAAs, delivered in the most digestible and bioavailable product on the market. They have been formulated to be absorbed by the body within twenty minutes, providing it with the nutrients it needs for a boost without the time generally requires to break down complete proteins into usable amino acids.

The Kion Aminos tablets contain one gram of essential amino acids per tablet, with absolutely no binders, fillers, stearates, coating, or dyes. They are available in tablet form (each tablet contains only 0.4 of a calorie), or in powder form. The powders are available in mixed berry and cool lime, which are both 100% all-natural and sugar-free. The powder includes five-gram scoops that allow you to easily portion your serving that quickly dissolves in water for the ultimate workout or post-workout beverage.

How To Use Kion Essential Amino Acids

Benefits of Kion Amino Acids: Kion’s EAAs can be used to help promote athletic performance, recovery, and health when used strategically. To boost recovery, 5-10 grams Kion EAAs can be taken directly after exercise. To boost endurance, mental focus, and prevent cannibalizing muscle during a workout, you can take 5-10 grams during exercise. If participating in an endurance event, 5-10 grams of EAAs per hour works well, followed by another 5-10 gram post-event.

For general health and wellbeing, EAAs can be added to smoothies, dissolved in coffee, or even taken before bed to curb hunger. They can also be effectively taken during a fasting period to promote ketosis. EAAs are especially useful during stressful periods like during air travel, and they are a great protein substitute on-the-go (especially compared to plane food!).

Due to their quick absorption and digestibility, EAAs are also a great supplement to take if you’re feeling under the weather or are injured, to support the immune system and promote recovery without creating much digestive burden.

Summary

Benefits of Amino Acids: Although the three BCAAs are necessary to boost athletic performance, recovery, and support general health– the process requires all nine essential amino acids. An amino acid supplement should, therefore, include all nine of the EAAs, instead of isolating three. Kion Essential Amino Acids are a great supplement that will provide you with a high-quality spectrum of EAAs, to help you reach your health and fitness goals.

 

Resources:

B, E., K. D. Tipton, S. E. Wolf, and R. R. Wolfe. “Essential Amino Acids And Muscle Protein Recovery From Resistance Exercise.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise34, no. 5 (2002). doi:10.1097/00005768-200205001-01686.

Biolo, G., K. D. Tipton, S. Klein, and R. R. Wolfe. “An Abundant Supply of Amino Acids Enhances the Metabolic Effect of Exercise on Muscle Protein.” American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism273, no. 1 (1997). doi:10.1152/ajpendo.1997.273.1.e122.

Blomstrand, Eva. “A Role for Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Reducing Central Fatigue.” The Journal of Nutrition136, no. 2 (2006). doi:10.1093/jn/136.2.544s.

Cole, Jeffrey T. “Metabolism of BCAAs.” Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition, 2015, 13-24. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-1923-9_2.

Holeček, Milan. “Branched-chain Amino Acids in Health and Disease: Metabolism, Alterations in Blood Plasma, and as Supplements.” Nutrition & Metabolism15, no. 1 (2018). doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0271-1.

Rasmussen, Blake B., Kevin D. Tipton, Sharon L. Miller, Steven E. Wolf, and Robert R. Wolfe. “An Oral Essential Amino Acid-carbohydrate Supplement Enhances Muscle Protein Anabolism after Resistance Exercise.” Journal of Applied Physiology88, no. 2 (2000): 386-92. doi:10.1152/jappl.2000.88.2.386.

Wolfe, Robert R. “Branched-chain Amino Acids and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Humans: Myth or Reality?” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition14, no. 1 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0184-9.

Yoon, Mee-Sup. “The Emerging Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Insulin Resistance and Metabolism.” Nutrients8, no. 7 (2016): 405. doi:10.3390/nu8070405.