Do Amino Acids (BCAAs) Help with Running?

Those who strive for ever-greater levels of physical fitness often seek out ways to improve the results of their efforts. This is as true for runners as it is for bodybuilders and professional athletes, many of whom use fitness supplements to boost their bodies’ response to exercise and add greater strength and stamina to their workouts. For runners, this means a faster pace and better endurance, though few supplements cater to those specific needs. Amino acid workout supplements from aminoVITAL® offer a unique opportunity for those who run to boost their performance while taking advantage of some of the leanest, most efficient fitness supplements on the market today. To learn more about how amino acids, and especially BCAAs, help with running, keep reading as the people at aminoVITAL® explain.

Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements for Running

While many runners and other athletes are doubtless familiar with the benefits of traditional protein-based supplements, relatively few know the advantages of choosing an amino acid supplement instead. The truth is that amino acid supplements represent the next step forward; they’re a healthier option than most protein shakes and powders, and they take effect much more quickly as well. First, though, let’s cover the basics.

The Effects of BCAAs

There are 20 amino acids that our bodies need to function, but most of these are made by the body itself through various internal processes. Nine of these amino acids cannot be obtained this way, however, and must be taken from the foods we eat (or the supplements we take). BCAAs – the shortened term for branched-chain amino acids – belong to this group of so-called “essential” amino acids, and they often serve as the foundation for amino acid supplements of all kinds.

There are three BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The first of these, leucine, has the responsibility of telling the body to begin making new muscle tissue – a vital step in building muscle mass and increasing strength. Isoleucine, the second BCAA, helps to improve endurance before, during, and after exercise by promoting the flow of glucose (the body’s main form of energy) into the cells of the muscles, and it has been shown to improve post-workout recovery times as well. Valine, the last of the BCAAs, works to protect muscle tissue from the excessive damage sometimes brought on by strenuous exercise; this helps preserve existing muscle mass and reduce fatigue, soreness, and other unpleasant effects that can follow a run.

Other Benefits of Amino Acids

The benefits of amino acid supplements extend beyond the individual effects of the BCAAs. These supplements offer a few other advantages not matched by conventional protein-based options, starting with their faster bioavailability.

Whole proteins must be subjected to a time-consuming digestive process that breaks the bonds between the amino acids they contain; in many cases, the effects of a protein-based supplement aren’t felt for 90 minutes or more. Free-form amino acids, on the other hand, need very little digestion before they can be used, meaning that they take effect about three times faster than common protein sources like whey. In other words, when you drink a BCAA supplement from aminoVITAL®, you can expect to get the benefits of that supplement within half an hour.

For runners, this fast bioavailability pairs well with the other benefit of amino acid supplements: they come with less nutritional baggage. Instead of drinking a heavy protein shake that’ll sit heavy in your stomach during a run, amino acid supplements contain far fewer calories or sugars, so they’re gentler on the system and better for losing weight. If you’re getting ready to go for a run, drinking an amino acid mix will leave you feeling energized more quickly than protein, and it’ll do it without undermining your overall health and fitness goals.

How to Use BCAAs to Help with Running

Because of their flexibility, the various types of BCAA supplements available from aminoVITAL® can be used in several different ways to help with running. Take our Action mix, for example. This formula doesn’t have to be dissolved in water and can instead simply be poured on the tongue for a quick boost of energy before a run.

And our products can help during and after your run as well. Our Action intra-workout supplement is designed to boost performance by supplying electrolytes to balance hydration and amino acids to not only support muscles but also to ward off soreness and fatigue while you push through mile after mile.

Once you’re done, our Rapid Recovery formula will provide your body with the carbs it needs to replenish glycogen stores along with amino acids that can streamline the recovery process and help get you ready for your next run that much sooner. Whichever product you choose, expect the amino acids they contain to help you get stronger, faster, and leaner by fueling your muscles and boosting your performance.

Get Help with Running and Other Types of Exercise with BCAA Supplements

Amino acid supplements may be a relatively new kind of product, but they’re rapidly becoming more and more popular with runners, weightlifters, and athletes of every stripe. That’s because amino acids are more efficient than most of their old-school counterparts, protein supplements included. Whether you’re someone who just got started with running or someone who’s training for yet another marathon, expect results with BCAA supplements from aminoVITAL®. To learn more about these cutting-edge fitness supplements and how they can help with running, visit aminoVITAL® online or call (888) 264-6673 today.