Do Amino Acids Help Weight Loss?

When the earth cooled, billions of years ago, amino acids were the first organic compounds to emerge, the "building blocks" of all life on earth. The proper balance of these substances is vital to all facets of life and health. Amino acids form proteins, which the body uses for everything from muscle building to the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain.

There are two basic types of amino acids: essential and non-essential. This has nothing to do with how important they are to the body; the terms simply refer to whether or not the body makes them or the must be gotten from other sources. The essential acids, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine, must be taken in from dietary sources.

Amino acids can be found in a variety of foods, including:

Meat
Poultry
Fish
Eggs
Grains and legumes

There are also a wide variety of supplements that offer one, a few or the complete range of amino acids.

For those trying to lose weight, maintaining the proper balance and levels of aminos can be difficult. So many dieters cut a lot of meat off their menus, mistakenly believing that they are eliminating a major source of fat from their diet. The fact is, consuming adequate amounts of lean protein keeps muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs healthy and functioning properly. Aminos also help raise the body's nitrogen level, which helps speed post-workout recovery.

Those who choose a vegetarian lifestyle can face special challenges in getting enough amino acids from dietary sources. However, the last two items on the source list, grains and legumes, can supply all the building blocks. The old thinking was that a complete set of aminos had to be consumed at one sitting, such as the old standby of beans and rice. However, new evidence indicates that no matter when the aminos are consumed, they will be properly utilized. It is important, however, to pay close attention to balance and make sure that a full set of aminos are taken in every day. Supplements are also a good idea, although they should not be relied upon as the sole source.

Keep your amino acids in balance and you will notice greater muscle development, better energy levels and overall better health, which will make exercise and its subsequent weight loss easier and far more successful.

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