Amino Acids: Everything You Need to Know

Amino acids play a critical role in the human body. You need them the same way you need water and oxygen. Without them, your body can’t build protein, making them an integral part of human physiology. If you want to improve your diet and live healthier, then having a good understanding of amino acids is a practical place to start.

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are the molecular building blocks of protein and essential to your health. The human body can only make some of them, so you need to supply the rest through your diet and nutrition. Amino acids are critical for energy production, muscle recovery, neurotransmitter production (which regulates mood) and more.

What Do Amino Acids Do?

Amino acids play an intricate role in:

Digestion
Growth
Healing
Energy

Amino acids are fundamental to healthy digestion and maintaining a robust immune system. They are also necessary for almost every function in the body – from communication to nail growth.

What Are the Benefits of Amino Acids?

Each amino acid plays a different role in your health. For example, glycine is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that also assists in better insulin and blood glucose control. Leucine helps in healing skin and bones, and also increases muscle growth and lean body mass. It can also help in controlling blood sugar. Valine helps increase endurance and optimize muscle recovery and repair, especially after a hard workout or injury. It can also lower high blood sugar and assist in balancing your nervous system. The correct amino acid balance helps your mood, exercise recovery, stamina, and healing. But, just as significantly, having too few of the necessary amino acids affects your entire body. A deficiency can impact your immune system, digestion, and sexual function.

What Are Sources of Amino Acids?

Since you can only get essential branched chain amino acids from food, it’s important to know where to find them. The best sources are foods rich in protein, especially animal protein like beef or chicken. These are amino acids that are easy for your body to absorb. Most plant proteins are incomplete, meaning they have only some necessary essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins include nuts, beans, and certain grains.

Do I Need Amino Acid Supplements?

You can get your amino acids from food sources that are complete proteins. If you eat a balanced, healthy diet, chances are you should get what you need. But if you live an active lifestyle you may need to supplement aminos to support your exercise program - that’s where we come in. UCAN teamed with an Olympic dietitian to formulate Hydrate + Aminos, our naturally sweetened drink mix loaded with 5 essential electrolytes and 6 amino acids. One serving of Hydrate + Aminos helps:

Sustain exercise performance
Reduce physical and mental fatigue
Optimize muscle repair post-workout
Balance your mood
Enhance endurance and stamina

UCAN Hydrate + Aminos has no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, is easy on your stomach and contains 2x more magnesium than other electrolyte powders - a vital micronutrient for energy production. You can use it to hydrate before and during your workout, and then immediately after to replenish electrolytes and kickstart recovery. It’s everything you need in one scoop.

What Are BCAAs?

BCAA stands for branched-chain amino acids. BCAAs play a critical role in repairing and building muscle tissue. You find them in foods rich in protein, such as eggs, chicken, lean beef, almonds, fish. We also include them in Hydrate + Aminos.

What Are the Benefits of BCAAs?

Some take extra care to ensure they get BCAAs because they offer unique benefits such as:

Increases muscle building: There is evidence that consuming BCAAs after a workout will increase muscle growth.
Reduces soreness: BCAAs may reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. That is the pain you get a day after an intense workout.
Reduces fatigue from exercise: BCAAs might help you feel less tired after a hard workout.

For active individuals and exercise enthusiasts, adding BCAAs to your diet may help you see better results and enhance post-workout recovery.

Is Hydrate + Aminos right for you?

If you’re looking for an ideal mix of electrolytes and amino acids to optimize hydration levels, enhance performance and build muscle, UCAN Hydrate + Aminos is for you. With 5 essential electrolytes and 6 amino acids, it’s exactly what you need for advanced hydration and recovery.