Amino Acids are considered to be one of the staple supplements for gym-goers, for their brilliant muscle-building and recovery properties. But we often see some added extras on the list of ingredients, but what exactly is being added to our Aminos? It’s easy and very common to be skeptical about all the different ingredients you see on an unfamiliar label, especially when it comes to supplements. I’m sure many of you pick up a product and get a headache looking at the dangerous-sounding chemical names on the back! So here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the common names you may see when checking an Amino acid product label.
Glutamine -
Glutamine is an amino acid, and Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. It is produced in the muscles and is distributed by the blood to the organs that need it. Glutamine helps with gut function, the immune system, and other essential processes in the body, especially in times of physical stress, ie training intensely at the gym!
Green Tea -
Green tea is arguably the healthiest beverage on the planet. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. These include improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of serious diseases and many other impressive benefits. Green tea is often included in supplements which are intended to have fat-burning properties.
Vitamin B6 -
Vitamin B6 is needed for proper brain development and function for people of all ages, athletes and others. It helps the body to make the hormone serotonin which is responsible for the regulation of mood, and norepinephrine which helps your body cope with stress. For these brilliant properties it can be found in lots of different supplements.
Creatine -
Creatine is a substance that is found naturally in muscle cells. It helps your muscles produce energy during heavy lifting or high-intensity exercise. Taking creatine as a supplement is very popular among athletes and bodybuilders in order to gain muscle, enhance strength and improve exercise performance.
Caffeine -
Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. When it reaches your brain, the most noticeable effect is alertness. You'll feel more awake and less tired, so it's a common ingredient in many pre and intra workout supplements.
Citrulline malate -
Citrulline malate plays an important role in the Urea Cycle, helping to eliminate harmful by-products, increasing your body’s ability to maintain performance and fight off muscle fatigue. Supplementation of Citrulline Malate is shown to increase Arginine levels in the body, which supports the production of Nitric Oxide, (Another name for most types of pre-workout, as they aid with physical performance.) Due to these principles Citrulline malate is usually found in Pre-workouts, but it can also be found in Amino acids which have been designed to work as more of a pre, with caffeine and other ingredients.
Taurine -
Taurine is an amino acid important in several of the body's metabolic processes, and has important antioxidant properties. It is found naturally in most meats, fish and dairy products. Due to these qualities it is found in a lot of different sports supplements!
Overall, there are many many ingredients which you may find added to your Amino acids, and other supplements for that matter. The key here is to not panic. Hopefully this guide can give you a little help when identifying the ingredients you’re consuming, but no doubt there have been a few missed off, as there are hundreds of ingredients out there! Be sure to do your own research when looking for a new supplement. Don’t be afraid of new ingredients, just do your research before purchasing to make sure it’s right for you.
