Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, the molecules essential for biochemical functions such as tissue repair, cell growth, and breaking down food into nutrients. To function properly, our bodies need twenty amino acids: eleven of those we can produce on our own, while nine need to be ingested through food.
Amino acids are essential for health and their deficiency can cause symptoms such as decreased immunity, digestion and fertility issues, and weight-loss stagnation. Besides food, amino acids can also be taken as oral supplements or via IV therapy.
This article explains the importance of amino acids for health and wellbeing and how they contribute to weight loss.
What Are Amino Acids?
Amino acids are organic compounds that have an essential role in keeping our bodies alive and healthy. Amino acids don’t function on their own but join to form long chains called proteins. Proteins perform vital functions, including the following:
- Building muscles
- Building and repairing tissue
- Breaking down food and maintaining a healthy digestive system
- Synthesizing hormones and neurotransmitters
- Providing energy
- Boosting the immune system
- Maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails
Amino acid deficiency causes a range of health issues including:
- Digestive problems
- Low immunity
- Fertility issues
- Depression
- Mental sluggishness
- Weight issues and weight-loss stagnation
- Low energy
Can Amino Acids Help You Lose Weight?
Amino acids can help people lose weight by improving vital physiological functions.
The amino acids most frequently touted as weight-loss aids are branded-chain amino acids (BCAA): leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
The role of BCAAs in promoting exercise performance is not yet conclusively established but some studies show their effectiveness in boosting muscle growth, increasing endurance, and reducing post-workout fatigue.
Maximizing your workout will help you build muscle, increase your metabolism, and boost calorie burn, leading to weight loss.
The amino acid tryptophan has a role in synthesizing the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin, also called the “feel-good chemical”, is responsible for regulating appetite by sending satiety messages to the brain. Preliminary clinical trials show that tryptophan supplementation can increase weight loss in obese patients by decreasing appetite.
Another amino acid that has weight-loss properties is glutamine. This amino acid has positive effects on multiple bodily systems:
- It improves gut microbiome by reducing the levels of bacteria that promote weight-gain.
- It promotes fat burn, increasing lean tissue throughout the body.
- It reduces insulin resistance, a condition that increases blood sugar levels and leads to weight gain and other serious conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.
Histidine is another amino acid that helps regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Studies have shown that obese patients who took supplements of this amino acid experienced a reduction in BMI and body fat. Histidine also reduces inflammation, which has been linked to weight gain.
How to Take Amino Acids for Weight Loss?
The nine essential amino acids our bodies can’t produce, we need to ingest through food. Other ways of taking amino acids are through oral supplements and IV therapy.
Food
Diet is the main source of amino acids. Foods that contain all nine essential amino acids are called complete proteins while those that don’t are called incomplete.
These foods contain complete proteins:
- Eggs
- Poultry
- Fish
- Beef or pork
- Quinoa
- Soy
Foods with incomplete proteins are:
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Vegetables
Having a daily balance of amino acids is more important than ingesting them all in the same meal. People who are vegans or vegetarians need to combine several incomplete protein sources during the day to ensure they get all nine essential amino acids through food.
Supplements
The dosage and frequency of taking amino acid supplements depends on your age, health, and goals. You can take the supplements alone or combined with other vitamins for better results.
Amino acid supplements can be purchased without a prescription. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has still not approved the use of amino acid supplements, so you should refer to your healthcare provider before you start using them.
IV Therapy
Amino acid IV therapy is an effective way to quickly replenish depleted stores of these essential compounds. An IV drip administers amino acids directly into your bloodstream, where they boost your energy, speed up your metabolism, and increase athletic endurance.* Amino acid IV therapy also provides mental clarity, prolongs hydration, and improves heart function.*
Note: Want to boost your endurance and speed up muscle recover? Learn more about IV Therapy for Athletic Performance.
When to Take Amino Acids for Weight Loss?
When taking amino acids to boost your workout and build muscle there is no hard-and-fast rule, though the recommendation is that you take them either before or after exercising. That way they can immediately start working to build and repair muscles.
Some studies have also shown that people who do resistance training benefit from ingesting amino acids before going to bed. This is because during sleep the amino acids can be effectively utilized for muscle protein synthesis.
When taking amino acids for muscle build it is important to take them long term, even during rest days.
Amino Acids for Weight Loss Cost
The Osmosis MD Regenerate Supplement is rich with amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, D, and E that can assist your weight loss.* The supplement may also help slow down aging and promotes healthy skin and hair.*
One jar of Osmosis MD Regenerate Supplement costs $89 at Vibrant Skin Bar. The recommended dosage is one capsule with meals up to three times a day.
Amino acids are essential ingredients in the Vibrant Vitality Clinic’s Nutritional IV therapy. Our signature mix of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants may help boost your immune system, support athletic performance, and speed up weight loss.*
Conclusion
Amino acids are essential for overall health and losing weight. They increase energy levels and assist muscle repair while also assisting with the burning of fat. In addition, amino acids may promote a healthy heart and blood system, help maintain hydration, and can help provide mental clarity.
Reach out to the Vibrant Vitality Clinic team to schedule a consultation and create a personalized weight-loss regime to achieve lasting results.
