When Should You Take Amino Acids?

Q: When should you take amino acids? While we’re on the subject of acid, do you know anything about LSD? Thanks!

A: Protein is composed of amino acids. It varies depending on the source but there are a total of 21 amino acids that your body needs for the creation and maintenance of muscle, as well as to perform its myriad of other functions, which include the synthesis of enzymes and hormones, supporting the immune system, and giving cells their structure. Of these amino acids, the body can make 12 on its own.¹ The remaining 9 have to be obtained via the diet to form a complete protein for the development of muscle and optimal health. These 9 amino acids are known as essential amino acids (EAAs).

The nine essential amino acids consist of histidine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, and valine. The latter three are collectively known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) because their respective chemical structures include a side chain of carbon atoms that branch off the primary carbon chain. All nine essential amino acids can be found in food in varying amounts and are now offered by supplement companies as pills, powders, liquid drops, and in drink form. Variants of those products are also on the market containing only the branched-chain amino acids if you specifically want those aminos that are purported to stimulate protein synthesis.²

Branched-chain amino acids are nothing more than a subset of essential amino acids. And as was mentioned, essential amino acids must come from exogenous sources. On that end, food is often the only source that’s needed. So as long as you’re eating a balanced diet with the appropriate amount of protein, supplementing with amino acids of any kind isn’t necessary, especially if you’re a healthy meat eater.³⁣ However, if you get a lot of your nutrition from plant-based sources like a vegan or vegetarian, then supplemental amino acids may be beneficial, as well as if you have a medical condition.⁴

As for when to take your amino acid supplement, that will vary if it’s being used to treat a medical condition. But if supplementing amino acids for general purposes, then you can take them any time between meals to boost your amino acid profile for protein synthesis. If you have more specific intentions of potentially enhancing your exercise recovery or preserving muscle as you work out in a fasted state, for example, then it’s recommended to consume amino acids 30-60 minutes before or after working out. Another alternative toward that end is to use amino acids as an intra-workout aid, meaning that you consume them during your training session.

Concerning LSD, what do you want to know about that for? What, you plan on traveling back in time to the 1970s to experience Woodstock and shit?!?!

Anyway…

Commonly known as LSD, or simply “acid”, lysergic acid diethylamide is a hallucinogenic made from a fungus that infects rye and when you take it, the drug distorts your perception of reality to the point that you may hear colors and smell sounds, feel like you’re floating, and see inanimate objects move. LSD also amplifies your mood, so it can make you feel euphoric if you take it when you’re happy or relaxed. Conversely, if you take it when you’re upset, worried, or depressed, then it can exacerbate those negative feelings and contribute to a bad trip, or experience.

Now, does anyone else have a fitness or nutrition question of their own that they want to ask?

Glossary: amino acid, diet, exercise, fitness, food, hormones, muscle, nutrition, supplement, vegan, veganism, vegetarian, work out, workout

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Monster Longe

Monster Longe is a personal trainer and online coach in San Diego. He's helped hundreds of people lose weight, build muscle, and become more attractive to their loved one so they don't have as strong of a desire to cheat on them anymore. When not working with clients or making content that's easy to read, understand, and apply to everyday life, he enjoys making fun of Drake and people who like the guy.

When Should You Take Amino Acids?

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