- Account for Amino Acid Loss: Proteins are being broken down and rebuilt continuously within the body. Several times more protein is turned over daily within the body than is ordinarily consumed, and protein is turned over and reused for other purposes. This process is not completely efficient, and some amino acids are always lost. Essential Amino Acids help replace these losses, even after growth has ceased.
- Superior Muscle Synthesis: Supplementing with Essential Amino Acids is an efficient wayto support muscle protein synthesis. In a study in older women, muscle protein synthesis after intake of one serving of Essential Amino Acids was not different than 40 g of whey protein (Wilkinson, 2018).
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Cover Your Bases – Especially Vegans and Vegetarians: Two client populations I consistently see under eating protein include my female clients and my vegan/vegetarian clients. Vegan-friendly Essential Amino Acids are particularly beneficial for these populations to ensure they are getting all essential amino acids.
I made Be Well Protein Powders to provide a convenient and satiating way to increase whole food protein intake through smoothies and other recipes. While all of my protein powders contain all 9 essential amino acids, supplementing with amino acids is a more efficient way to optimize amino acid levels.
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Hitting Body Composition Goals: Essential Amino Acids can support positive change in body composition. Intake of all 9 essential amino acids is necessary to support muscle growth, maintenance, and repair (NIH ODS, 2024). In addition, intake of protein and all essential amino acids can promote positive changes in body composition, including fat loss, when consumed as part of an exercise regimen (Jager, 2017).
- Skin Benefits: Essential Amino Acids help build the proteins which are responsible for collagen and elastin creation as well as skin cell structure. Amino acids can support uniformity of skin texture. In one study, young adult women having no fitness habit showed more uniform skin texture with intake of an amino acid supplement. Source
- Brain Boost: Amino acids have varying and important roles in the neural pathway circuit. Results from a study that tested the effects of a blend of 7 essential amino acids in adults 55 years and older suggest that intake of amino acids results in better executive function (as shown in one cognitive function test), well-being, and social functioning scores compared to intake of the placebo. Source
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GI Health and Strengthening Digestion:
Essential Amino Acids can positively affect gut structure and function. Research on mammals has shown amino acids are beneficial for maintaining gut health, and the health of your GI’s mucosal lining. Studies in pigs have even shown supplementation with specific amino acids as an effective means to reverse gut dysfunction under disease conditions and help to reconstruct the gut structure after its damage. Source