Growth hormone ingredients

Body builders often sound like scientists these days. They talk about ‘amino acids’, ‘hormones’, ‘creatine’ and so forth. Listening to the conversations in some gyms you could be mistaken for thinking you were in a laboratory, which is apt in some ways. In recent years science has come to play a greater part in sports nutrition. You will always need a balanced diet and exercise program, but research is now showing that supplements can play a major part in achieving peak performance.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are molecules that are critical to life. They have a number of functions but one very important one is they are basically the building blocks of protein, which is a chain of amino acids. Each one tends to have a specific function and the makers of supplements have done a lot of research about how you can harness amino acids for specific functions within the body, and especially adding lean muscle mass.

• L-Glutamine is a ‘non essential’ amino acid but it does play a key role in cellular metabolism and general cell health by helping with the removal of ‘waste’ such as nitrogen. And transporting potassium around the body. It can be found naturally in many foods such as fish and eggs and is said to play a part in mental as well as physical wellbeing.
• L-Arginine is what is described as a ‘conditionally essential’ amino acid, meaning that the health of the individual plays a part in how important it is. It can be synthesized by the body and found in meat and dairy. It has a role in immune function and cell division, helping remove things like ammonia from the body and healing wounds. It also has great interest for body builders because it helps stimulate the release of growth hormone. It has also been used for treatment of erectile dysfunction.
• L-Ornithine is found in protein rich foods and helps the body get rid of nitrogen. Body builders value it because it helps with adding muscle mass and metabolizing fats.
• L-Lysine plays an important role in calcium absorption and can be found in dairy, red meats and beans. It is an essential amino acid and is used by body builders and athletes for muscle tissue repair.

As you can see each amino acid – and there are a great many – have specific purposes, of varying levels of importance for cellular and general body health.

Why use amino acid supplements?

Amino acids are literally the building blocks of protein, which is the raw material of muscle mass. Apart from this, they also serve a vast range of functions including the removal of wastes from the body and helping with tissue health and repair. Whilst some are not technically ‘essential’ those seeking optimum performance will see the benefit of taking amino acids that target certain bodily functions pertinent to athletic performance and muscle mass. It is indicative of the vast amount of research that now goes into body building and sports nutrition, that a range of supplements are available that give you access to the benefits of amino acids. Obviously these should only ever be taken as directed in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise regime, but there is no doubt that amino acid supplements can give you an edge in recovery and the addition of muscle mass, as well as enhanced overall performance and condition.