As a bodybuilder, you will likely see the phrase “amino acids” splashed about as you conduct your research into how to make gains in muscular size and strength. But what does it mean? Why are they so important? What are they, and what function do they serve in helping you to become a better bodybuilder? Let’s learn more about them.

Amino acids are essentially the small pieces that work together to form protein. In nature, amino acids can be found in the food we eat. You might think they would be limited to meats such as eggs, chicken, beef and turkey. However, amino acids are also present in many vegetables, including grains and legumes. If you’re a bodybuilder who follows decent dietary practices already, you probably consume a lot of whey protein. Whey is packed with amino acids. How do the amino acids reach your muscle cells? They are broken down by the digestive system after each meal you consume. The good quality sources of protein and vegetables are digested and the amino acids enter the bloodstream.

The function of amino acids is simple enough. They help the body after any sort of activity (including weightlifting) to heal. Muscle cells receive quite a workout in the gym, and many thousands of individual fibers are torn following a workout. They repair themselves, healing and growing back stronger and bigger than before with the help of amino acids. If you aren’t consuming enough amino acids in your diet, you’ll know it. You will not recover from workouts as normal. You will feel fatigued and suffer many of the same symptoms you experience when you are in a state of overtraining. Body fat levels will slowly climb and your strength levels will decrease. You won’t feel like finishing workouts, and your sleep will be disturbed.

If you believe you aren’t obtaining enough amino acids, it’s time to adjust your diet. Each meal should contain a serving of meat, a clean carbohydrate source such as rice, beans or pasta, and some healthy fats. If you’re still not getting enough for your tough training or lifestyle demands, you can also obtain amino acids in the supplement form. Amino acids are available in powder or liquid format at very reasonable prices. Many bodybuilders will sip aminos throughout the day as they enter large mass building phases of their off-season training, and some swear by the results. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about ‘overdosing’ on amino acids. They occur naturally in your foods, and your body is quite able to process any excess aminos in the body. They’ll be excreted harmlessly.

If all of your other training and diet factors are right where they need to be, and you’re still not seeing the gains you desire, take a look at your amino acid consumption. Perfecting your diet will go a long way toward perfecting your physique and a thorough understanding of the role of amino acids are a big part of that. Good luck!

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