When we put the hours in at the gym, after a while, providing we’re consistent and providing we know what we’re doing, we begin to notice gradual improvements which become more and more noticeable with each passing week. The key to success is consistency but the main issue with being consistent is that it can take a real toll on our bodies. If we’re pushing ourselves in order to obliterate stubborn belly fat and pack as much muscle mass onto our frames as we possibly can, after a while the effects of following a gruelling and intense physical training session will begin to catch up with us, leaving us feeling drained, tired, sore, aching, and just generally lacking energy and motivation. With bodybuilding for example, there’s a common misconception that muscle is built in the gym. This is not true, muscle is not built in the gym at all, in fact, quite the opposite occurs. When we lift weights in the gym, the idea is to destroy and break down muscle tissue in order for our bodies to repair themselves and rebuild the muscles even bigger and stronger than they were previously. On the face of things this is relatively simple, but in reality, how quickly and efficiently we recover will be determined by several factors, including rest, diet, nutrition, and supplements. From a recovery standpoint, amino acid supplements are absolutely ideal, because there are so many out there, with each one providing such a unique and distinct benefit. If you’re looking to improve your recovery rates, take a look at the following amino acid supplements and think about potentially including them in your next supplement stack sooner rather than later.
Ornithine HCL
Ornithine HCL is an extremely potent compound that has been proven to provide a number of rejuvenating properties and qualities to the human body, particularly following extended periods of physical exertion and intense exercise. A number of athletes, bodybuilders, strongmen, and just generally physically active individuals now include Ornitine HCL as a vital part of their post-workout protein shake, and it’s easy to understand why. As it plays such a key role in muscle recovery, as well as adding it to post-workout shakes, many people will also consume it immediately before going to bed, which when we sleep, is where we do most of our growing and repairing. Studies have found that around 90 minutes after getting to sleep, the growth and recovery process will peak. Ornithine HCL helps to speed up and enhance protein synthesis, it quickly replenishes lost nutrients, it fuels the muscles, and it has been found to even help promote a good night’s sleep.
AAKG
AAKG, or Arginine Alpha KetoGlutarate, is one of the lesser known amino acid supplements and in many expert’s opinion it is vastly underrated. It has been found to provide a number of cell volumising benefits that helps to improve muscle pumps, circulation, vascularity, and nutrient and oxygen transportation. Why is this so beneficial? Well, there are two reasons for this. The first reason is that as it helps to improve circulation by widening the blood vessels and acting as a vasodilator, it allows more oxygenated, nutrient rich blood to be carried around the body and supplied to our cells which make up our muscles. This is beneficial because not only does this help to improve energy levels and muscle efficiency, it also helps to speed up post-workout recovery processes as well. After we exercise, the cells in our muscles are vastly depleted of glycogen (energy), oxygen, and numerous other nutrients that play a key role in protein synthesis and the development of new muscle proteins. To allow our muscles to recover and be re-built, even bigger and stronger than they were previously, we need to ensure we have enough nutrients present, which are supplied via the blood. The more nutrients there are, the more effective the post-workout recovery process will be. This essential amino acid plays a vital role in protein synthesis, making it an extremely beneficial post-workout recovery amino. It has also been found to help enhance L-Arginine delivery via metabolic pathways, which in simple terms means that it helps us to absorb more of the Arginine found in the supplement. This is thanks to the addition of the ketoglutarate.
D Aspartic Acid
D Aspartic acid is another amino acid which has been found to play a key role in the growth and development of muscle tissue, not to mention the fact that it has also been found to help enhance libido in the process. When individuals supplement with D Aspartic acid, they can help to stimulate and enhance specific signalling molecules internally, which are then able to stimulate activity within the testes, as well as the pituitary gland, to help stimulate the production and secretion of hormones such as testosterone, and growth hormone, both of which are incredibly beneficial for people looking to pack muscle mass onto their frames. Studies have found that in as little as just two weeks, regular D Aspartic acid supplementation can increase natural Testosterone levels by as much as 33%, making it ideal for people looking to boost their strength and muscle mass.
BCAAs
Branched Chain Amino Acids are arguably the most popular amino acid supplements when it comes to rest and recovery, and for very good reasons too. BCAAs are comprised of three amino acids: Leucine, valine, and Isoleucine, all of which are universally renowned for their numerous muscle building qualities. When consumed intra and post-workout, BCAAs are absorbed into our muscles where they then are metabolized and can help prevent muscle wastage and breakdown. These aminos help enhance protein synthesis, they stimulate metabolic functions, and they help keep the body in an anabolic state for much longer, which means that muscle wastage and breakdown is greatly reduced.
