Amino Acids for Weight Loss: A Review and Comparison of Supplements Including BCAAs

Amino acids are organic substances necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. 12 out of 20 basic ones are produced by the organism, while the other 8 must be replenished with food or through additional additives. One of the main functions is participation in protein synthesis. In case of their deficiency, fatty tissue grows, replacing muscle tissue, which leads to weight gain. Therefore, many take amino acids for weight loss. However, their intake requires certain knowledge of the nuances and consultation with a specialist.

Benefits

One can write entire scientific treatises about the benefits of amino acids, because almost no biochemical reactions in the body occur without their participation. If there is a shortage of at least one of them, health problems arise.

Here are their main functions:

Protein synthesis;
Energy supply and building blocks for muscles;
Proper absorption of vitamins and minerals;
Increased brain activity.

For men, they are primarily of interest as a building material for muscle mass. Women need them to improve the condition of their hair, skin, and nails, as well as for the health of the reproductive system. In old age, they slow down the aging process and prevent cardiovascular and brain diseases. Therefore, when planning weight loss and using amino acid supplements, you can be sure that they will have a positive effect on your health (if taken correctly).

Impact on weight loss

In dietetics, medicine and sports, the use of amino acids is common as a means of losing weight, because they launch biochemical processes leading to steady weight loss without damaging health. This is what they do:

Eliminate existing fat stores and prevent the deposition of new ones;
Accelerate metabolism;
Improve digestion;
Help curb appetite and avoid overeating;
Contribute to the growth of muscle mass;
Reduce sugar and cholesterol levels;
Act as sources of additional energy required to burn more calories.

The role of amino acids in weight loss for men and women is somewhat different, so these aspects should be considered without fail.

For men

Men usually don’t like to follow diets, so their weight loss programs often involve active sports. However, even low-intensity exercise depletes more than 80% of free amino acids in the body. This can slow down fat burning and muscle building. Therefore, first of all, it is recommended for men to take supplements with them for weight loss.

With their deficiency, muscles recover poorly, their growth slows down, muscle pain prevents exercising at full strength, and recovery becomes impossible. BCAAs (BCAAs) play a special role in all this.

BCAA stands for Branched-chain amino acids, which means “branched-chain amino acids” in English. This is a complex consisting of valine, leucine and isoleucine. In terms of production, it is a very complex process to obtain each of them separately, but in such a combination they are easily synthesized from protein hydrolyzate.

BCAAs account for more than 35% of amino acids in muscle tissue. Its increase is impossible without this complex. Since the body does not produce them on its own, men need to take special sports supplements for weight loss during training and increase the number of products containing this trio in their diet.

Foods rich in BCAAs:

Meat;
Fish;
Seafood;
Eggs;
Milk;
Hard cheeses.

The effect of BCAAs for those who actively train:

Prevent the breakdown of muscle fibers;
Contribute to drying out the body;
Reduce body fat;
Increase physical parameters (strength, endurance);
Increase the effectiveness of sports nutrition.

Recently, some of these properties of BCAAs have been criticized, but this has not made them less popular in bodybuilding.

For women

Women also use amino acids for weight loss, but their main goal here is not to build muscle mass, but to maintain beauty and health during a diet.

Why women need amino acids:

To maintain reproductive functions;
To normalize the menstrual cycle;
To strengthen nails, increase skin elasticity and promote hair growth;
To form a beautiful figure;
To burn fat, not muscle fibers;
To normalize hormonal balance;
To prevent depression and bad mood.

It’s no secret that these aspects of women’s health are most vulnerable during weight loss. In order for weight loss to not affect a woman’s appearance and proper functioning of the body, it is necessary to take amino acids.

This is especially worth paying attention to for women over 40. Any diet and excessive physical activity can turn into serious health problems for their body: exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases, increased risk of diabetes, deterioration during menopause. Those who have tried to lose weight at this age know how blood pressure and blood sugar levels begin to jump even with minor dietary restrictions or increased physical activity. There is an easy way out: start taking amino acids.

They will also help young girls in a different way: during training, they will contribute to the correct redistribution of muscle tissue in the body, making the buttocks and breasts beautiful and elastic. At the same time, there is no need to worry that the girl will have acne, hair will begin to fall out, and nails will begin to exfoliate due to the diet. Amino acids will prevent this.

Possible harm

Recently, there has been much controversy around taking amino acids as food additives and sports supplements. Articles began to appear that frightened people by stating that their intake leads to food poisoning, stomach ulcers and even impotence in men. However, specialists refute such statements. If taken correctly, they do not harm the body.

Contraindications

All contraindications to taking amino acid supplements are relative. This means that even if they are present, a doctor’s consultation is necessary. Only on the basis of individual characteristics of the organism, the doctor can say for sure whether it is possible to take this or that drug or not. These include:

Pregnancy;
Hypertension;
Lactation;
Diseases of the biliary tract, kidneys and liver;
Diabetes;
Serious problems with the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract.

Side effects

They occur due to unauthorized intake of amino acids without a doctor’s prescription, failure to follow the instructions for use of the drug, or overdose. The most common ones include:

Bowel problems, heartburn, unpleasant belching, diarrhea;
Increased blood pressure;
Malfunctions of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Athletes often experience muscle tears, sprains and injuries while taking them. This is due not so much to the side effects of the drugs, but rather to overestimating their own strength. After taking amino acids, it seems to a person that he can move mountains: there is no pain, there is enough strength and energy for two. As a result, instead of 5 repetitions of an exercise, they do 15, instead of 3 approaches they do 5. The workout lasts 2 hours instead of 1 hour. The result is damage to muscles, joints and ligaments. That is why it is so important to strictly follow the fitness program.