Much is said about amino acids as part of good bodybuilding supplementation but few people know exactly what an amino acid is or what its role is in the health and growth of muscle to a body. This article will aim to look at some of the important aspects of amino acids and help you to understand how vital they can be in gaining an advantage at the gym.

In simple terms an amino acid is the building block of protein. When we consume protein it is synthesized or broken down into various amino acids then put together again to form new proteins that make up most solid parts of our body, skin, eyes, hair, and especially muscle.

There are 22 different amino acids in total. 8 of these are considered essential to our bodies and 14 are considered non essential. While the essential of the 22 are mainly supplied to us adequately through a balanced healthy diet, a select few of the non essential ones have been shown to be most significant for bodybuilders. However an important point to note is that ultimately is a healthy protein balance that paves the way for increased muscle growth and that in fact without it, any amino acid can become toxic in its own right. Amino acids are a supplement, an addition to an already strong diet.

Some of the essential amino acids include, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Histidine and Methionine and serve many functions from improving digestion to enhancing, stimulating hormone release to assisting in the breakdown of fats to the improvement of memory and many more.

Another important group of Amino acids are called Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's) which are considered the most important of all. The BCAA's are Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. The main way they vary from the other 19 amino acids is that they are primarily metabolized in skeletal muscle rather than other tissues of the body. They serve many functions for skeletal muscles including the enhancing muscular cell energy production, enhancing protein synthesis, stimulating metabolic signals, and being a precursor for the formation of other amino acids.

It is through the study of amino acids that scientists are beginning to develop a new kind of supplement for bodybuilders. With the knowledge of the workings of amino acids at a cellular level, they are learning how to manipulate them for the purpose of great effects on the human body. Some examples of this are the new amino acid combinations seen in a muscle building stack of three supplements Leukic, Gakic and Creakic offered by company Muscletech. These supplements are unlike the average protein or creatine supplement in that they actually effect cellular processes and provide near instant effects to the body's chemistry. In this way they are able to give instant increases of performance, recovery and fatigue resistance and are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the bodybuilding community.

As you can see, correct amino acid supplementation does play an important role in the diet of an athlete. Moreover, if you are neglecting your amino acid intakes and are competing whether it be with your friends or in real competition, you are surely at a disadvantage.