Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, each with its own function. There are many types of amino acids, including (semi-)essential amino acids such as Leucine, Arginine, and Glutamine. Other amino acids, like Taurine or L-Carnitine, can also be valuable additions. Additionally, you can choose a carefully crafted blend of amino acids, the most well-known being BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids). Amino acids are available as powders, in capsules, and even as ready-to-drink options. Everyone has their own preferences, so check out our full range to discover which one best suits your athletic goals.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play a crucial role in many physiological processes in the body. For strength athletes and bodybuilders, amino acids are essential as they aid in recovery and the building of muscle mass. The most well-known amino acids are BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids), such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which contribute to protein synthesis and muscle recovery. There are also essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet or supplements. Want to learn more about how amino acids work? Read all about it in our blog Amino Acids: Everything You Need to Know.

Proteins are an important component in (strength) sports. They contribute to the building and maintenance of muscle mass. Proteins are made up of 20 different types of amino acids, with 12 non-essential amino acids produced by your body. The remaining 8 essential amino acids cannot be made by your body and must be obtained from your diet, such as from meat, fish, and dairy. It can happen that your eating pattern is not stable, and therefore you do not get enough amino acids. If this is the case, or if you doubt whether you are getting enough, a supplement can be a solution.

Amino acids have the unique advantage over protein that they are already isolated. This means that their absorption is much faster than with a complete protein product. This makes amino acids particularly suitable at times when timing is more important, such as around your strength training, but also before or after your cardio workout.

There are a total of 20 different amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins. These amino acids can be divided into essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids must be obtained from food because the body cannot produce them, while non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the body. Essential amino acids include: leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, threonine, methionine, histidine, and arginine. Three of these—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—are classified as BCAAs. These three amino acids have unique properties that make them particularly suitable for strength training. Histidine and arginine are known as semi-essential amino acids, meaning that while your body cannot make them, they are not required to stimulate protein synthesis.

The amount of amino acids you need daily depends on your protein requirements. For strength athletes and active individuals, the recommended daily protein intake is between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. These proteins provide the essential amino acids that your body cannot produce. To know exactly how much protein (and thus amino acids) you need to achieve your goals, we have developed a handy calorie requirement calculator. This allows you to quickly calculate how much protein you need to perform optimally and support your recovery. Calculate your personal needs using our daily calorie requirement calculator.

Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. In total, there are 20 different amino acids found in proteins, of which 9 are essential. This means you must obtain these 9 amino acids through your diet because your body cannot produce them. The remaining amino acids can be synthesized by your body. The amino acid profile varies by protein source, and products like meat, fish, and dairy typically contain all essential amino acids. Want to know more about the ratio of amino acids in proteins? Check out our blog on The Building Blocks of Proteins.