Amino Acid Supplements

Question: Tired of taking supplements- brewers yeast in place of taking an amino acid supplement? is brewers yeast almost a complete source of amino acids if i took the rec. dose of 4 TBS a day? (its so much cheaper than amino acid supplement and has b vitamins and other minerals)

Answer: Well, that's a tough yes/no answer. You're right that it's a good protein source that has a good variety of Amino Acids and other nutrients... but the other nutrients might cause you problems. A typical Brewer's Yeast has about 8 grams of protein per tablespoon... but it also has almost 100 mcg of Chromium in that same tablespoon. In order to get the RDA of 50 grams of protein, it would be about 6 tablespoons of Brewer's Yeast... which would be about 600 mcg of Chromium. The reason that could be a problem is that the RDA of Chromium is 120 mcg and is normally recommended up to 200 mcg per day... but more importantly, Chromium may enhance insulin sensitivity, which can affect glucose levels. Needless to say, that can be potentially harmful (or potentially helpful depending on the dosage and needs) for diabetics or hypoglycemics, but it can also throw off blood sugar levels for those who aren't in higher doses like that. Before taking that much Brewer's Yeast, I would check with a doctor that knows about nutrition to see if it would be safe. If you would like a safer alternative, you could also take a whey protein powder (or pea or similar non-milk protein if you can't handle the dairy) to get most all of the essential Amino Acids. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: Are protein powder and amino acid supplements the same? What's the difference. Protein is made from amino acids. Some are labeled protein powder. Some are labeled amino acids. Do they both give the same effect?

Answer: Yes they are the same. If you look on your protein poweder, it will show you the amino acids in it and the amounts (mine does). But stick with the powder, its gunna take a whole lot of amino acid pills to come close to whats in a scoop of protein powder.

Question: What do Amino Acid supplements do for you? And also what do Isotonic Supplement drinks do for you? Ok, I Play Basketball every single day and i am a skinny guy that does not have huge amounts of muscle (I have muscle btw). However i need to bulk up a bit and gain more strength, i found these supplements and i was wondering if anybody had any Mature responses. I.e - Personal experiences

Answer: right...when everyone talks about eating protein to gain muscle...they are correct...however, what the body does is break the protein we eat down in to amino acids which are the base component of new muscle growth. there are lots of amino acids...take a look at this site. I'm guessing you are in the USA (basketball) but it gives a good explanation of what each amico acid does. http://www.myprotein.co.uk/bulk-powders/amino-acids/ i take l-glutamine which i find helps greatly with muslce soreness after a heavy w/o and when i can afford them, BCAA's. i wouldnt even bother with spending money on amino supplements until your diet is 100% perfect for muscle growth and your weights routine is giving you good results. for most of the human population, i say that a good full body weights plan is perfect. try the stronglifts.com 5x5 plan. as you are playing basketball i'd reccommend lifts like squat, deadlift, box jumps, cleans, clean and press etc etc. work out your BMR (google it) and start off by eating 500 calories a day above your BMR. if thats still not gaining you weight, add additional calories. oh yeah...and isotonic drinks just deliver fast energy in the form of simple carbs and quick hydration. good luck.

Question: what amino acid supplements help stimulate human growth hormones? Im 16 and want to be a little taller. Can anyone suggest some Amino acids supplement i can buy from GNC that stimulates Human Growth Hormones. Or anything else that stimulates human growth hormones. Or if theres anything i can eat. thanks

Answer: There are a lot of products to increase growth hormone levels available in the market today. One of the popular ones my friends told me about is GenF20. They said that it helps increase your hgh levels. I've included a link to the website below. Be sure to consult with a physician first since some doctors are against taking synthetic growth hormone or any product related to it. On the other hand, an equal number of doctors encourage it. The pros and cons are too many to be listed here but you can see the videos on information about human growth hormone in the second link below. It contains a lot of physician interviews and featured patients using hgh and its effects on them. I found them very useful.

Question: Can I take amino acid supplements together? I am taking L-glutamine to help my sugar cravings and I want to take L-Tyrosine for energy and focus. Should I avoid taking any amino acids together? Like these two, but also any others. Google searching hasn't been able to solve this particular inquiry. Thanks for your time.

Answer: If possible, separate dosages (of separate supplements, as well as any meat) by at least an hour or so to give time for the first one to get to your small bowel. Taking amino acids together with other amino acids (including proteins such as those found in any form of meat) can decrease the absorption efficiency of one or both. Since they can get pretty expensive you probably want to get the most bang for your buck.

Question: Would it be a waste of money to buy Liquid Amino Acid supplements? I know we get most if not all the amino acids needed from the meat we eat,but could taking these pills aid in getting the amount we need if not eating correctly? Thanks

Answer: What are these pills, specifically? I was taking some Beta Alanine before workouts (with Creatine Ethyl Ester) and noticed a huge difference. I just wasn't getting tired. That helped with muscle building because I just kept going. It's cheap stuff, I got it from trueprotein.com, but I'm sure you can find it from other places. Just make sure it's not in some mixed drink.

Question: Can somebody offer an explaination why I have allergic reactions to amino acid supplements? this includes Sam-e, tyrosine, tryptophane, Glutamine, phenylalanine.

Answer: Amino acids have an organic compound made up of several enzymes. The enzyme group from carboxyl compound. Now, Carboxylase is a form of a plant enzyme, naturally occuring. Are you allergic to several plants, grasses and trees? If you're like me, I can't take several herbal remedies i.e. Saint John's Wort and CoQten, Ginsing, Ginko Biloba and so on. Bee Pollen is another. You need to get tested specifically for the above mentioned qualities of amino acids. The test will show you what and how much your body can stand. Hope you have ins. Some Dr.'s require that. Make a list of everything that you are allergic to and get a reaction to certain pills, creams and liquids, etc. Be safe and carry an antihistamine like Benadryl or whatever you are allowed to have.

Question: Why is it recommended to take amino acid supplements on an empty stomach? If taken with food, will they be less effective? I'm taking 500 mg. 2x's per day each of L-Tyrosine, Taurine & L-Phenylalanine for depression at the suggestion of therapist.

Answer: They are absorbed into your system better on an empty stomach. Food will take away some of the affect of the amino supplement so you will not get the full benefit. Good Luck.

Question: How long does it take for someone body building with Amino Acid supplements to start seeing signs?

Answer: If you have a well rounded program as in a good routine, proper nutrition, proper rest. I would say 1-2 months for strength gains and physical changes. Don't expect to do it all in such little time though. It takes a long time for real world changes. Set some real goals, long term and short term. Dedication and hard work and you will be rewarded. I would suggest a good high quality whey protein powder. This is a 2 for 1 supplement, good quality protein and branch chain amino acids. Also look into a good quality creatine monohydrate, make sure its pure. Good luck

Question: Is there any evidence that taking amino acid supplements will help increase muscle mass? Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer: Amino acid supplements don't in themselves increase muscle mass. But what they do is replenish amino acids burned up by body during excercise and weight training, which helps muscles heal faster. Increased muscle mass comes as result of the muscles healing themselves after they have been damaged by a hard workout. So, since amino acid supplements help muscles heal faster, muscles are able to grow bigger more quickly. If you use a good quality protein powder supplement, it should have a balanced amino acid supplement already in it, so additional seperate supplements should not be necessary, and may be a waste of money.

Question: should I take protein/amino acid supplements as a vegetarian martial artist/? I want to create a body that has maximum explosive muscle power and white muscle tissue. I also need good stamina. I an a vegetarian and an asthmatic. Should I load up on protein and amino acids to help training?

Answer: why yes you should... as it will help you recover from your training sessions.. it will also help your immune system.. you should take whey protein and Glutamine that is all you need.. and then some vitamins if you may this will help your fitness goals and muscle recovery, performance..

Question: what are the dangers of using amino acid supplements and carbohydrates supplements? I really meant carb drinks, sorry!!

Answer: amino acid supplements are fine. Never heard of a carbohydrates supplements?

Question: Are there any amino acid supplements that can increase my height?

Answer: No. Basically you're asking for something that can make your bones grow, and that can't happen. Work on muscle growth. If you have plenty of muscle then your height isn't that important.

Question: What is the best Protien/Amino Acid supplements available?

Answer: almost a year ago I started drinking protein, I tried out several different brands. What won for me was Pro Complex, it's got no fats and 64g of protein and plenty of acids if you get the upgraded version Muscle Milk was the loser of my little test, not much but fat in it, tasted like shit, and I actually gained fat weight while on it.

Question: what are the comparison between vitamin supplements and amino acid supplements?

Answer: Depending on what your looking for you need both amino acids are essential for tissue and vitamins for essential health. I recommend highly a product called papayamine its a papaya protein that is 100% vegetable and great as a complete healthy supplement that contains all natural and essential vitamins and essential amino acids. Google papayamine and research it. It has done wonders for me.

Question: can amino acid supplements cause liver enzymes to be too high? Had full bloodwork done at my physical 2 weeks ago. All results were dead center in the normal ranges, except for my liver enzymes. The AST was 58 (normal 0-40), and the ALT was 148 (normal 0-40). The doc asked me if I drank a lot, I said one beer a week. Then he asked me if I take tylenol-type medications often, and I said very seldom, if ever. Then he asked if I was on a high protein diet, and I said no, but I do take an amino acid supplement. He instructed me to lay off of alcohol, tylenol, and amino acids for 2 weeks, then come back and get retested. I just went back and the liver test is great, 28 AST, 32 ALT. My personal trainer, and all I have seen on internet says AA's in free form, are absorbed directly into the blood and do not have to be processed by the liver. But I am afraid to take AA's again. Should I be? They, along with lots of hard work, have helped me put on 15 lbs of muscle in the last year.

Answer: your personal trainer needs to be better educated...excess amino acids are processed by the liver and too much becomes toxic ,that which is not passed out in the urine remains in yor liver.My degree is in exercise science and nutrition,so that is where I get my info from