Do Protein Shakes Have Amino Acids?

Almost anyone who has been involved in a health or fitness regimen – or who knows someone who lives an active lifestyle – is likely to have heard about the benefits of protein shakes. These beverages have exploded in popularity over the past few decades, in large part because they can provide a big boost in the strength and health of muscle tissue. A new product has emerged very recently, though, that is both lighter and faster-acting than the protein powders: amino acids. However, those who remember some details from their high school biology class may ask, don’t protein shakes have amino acids in them already? To find out, keep reading as the experts at aminoVITAL explain.

What’s in a Protein Shake?

Though the majority of protein shakes get their protein from one source in particular – whey, a milk derivative and byproduct of the cheesemaking process – many other types of protein powders exist as well. Popular alternatives include powders that get their power from soy, peas, hemp, casein, rice, and many other foods that are naturally high in protein. For those who may be lactose intolerant or who have restrictions on their diet, these options can be helpful, but they also make it more difficult for the average shopper to discern the supplement that might work best for them.

And as with most food products, protein shakes can vary widely in terms of quality and effectiveness, making it tough to tell whether the drink you see at your local convenience store or supermarket is actually good for you. While some manufacturers work to create products with an eye toward wholesome or effective nutrition, others pack their shakes with calorie-boosting ingredients that can actually hurt customers’ overall health. For example, it is not uncommon for top protein shake brands to include more than 20 grams of sugar per serving, an addition that probably won’t help you shed pounds or improve your overall wellness.

Still, the high percentage of protein in many of these shakes makes them useful enough for consumers, even with these unhealthy additives. After all, the whole point is to get stronger or faster, and protein can help you do that, regardless of what it’s mixed with. On the other hand, amino acid supplements can provide similar benefits, often without undermining a person’s health and fitness objectives.

Are There Amino Acids in Protein Shakes?

The short answer to this question is “yes,” but in a roundabout sort of way. Amino acids are the basic components of proteins, meaning that anyone who consumes protein also consumes amino acids. Once the whole proteins reach your digestive system, they are broken down into their fundamental amino acid compounds and put to use in the body. However, this does not mean that taking a protein supplement is the same as taking an amino acid supplement.

Though you are certainly supplying your body with amino acids when you eat protein, the process of mining these proteins for their amino acids takes time. For someone about to go to the gym or who just got home after a run, this time delay can negatively impact performance and recovery because the appropriate amino acids may not be ready when they’re needed. By comparison, an amino acid supplement can offer much faster bioavailability and a leaner nutritional profile while still causing an increase in gains.

Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements

In many ways, the benefits of amino acids overlap with those provided by protein. Both can boost muscle synthesis and give your body the fuel it needs to recover after strenuous exercise, but are their effects truly equal? Despite the commonalities between the two, there are many who would argue that these products are quite different in practice.

Fast and Effective

As mentioned above, amino acid supplements start to produce benefits more quickly than traditional protein products. That’s because your body can skip most of the digestive process when you take amino acids; instead of being forced to break apart sturdy protein molecules, it can take the free-form compounds like those in aminoVITAL products and put them to work right away.

Sustained Energy

Unlike common pre-workout mixtures that use stimulants to provide a boost of energy, amino acid-based products like the fast-acting mix Action from aminoVITAL can give you the sustained energy you need to push yourself without leaving you to crash later on.

Vegan and Dairy-Free

Among the wide variety of protein powders out there, you can probably find a few that are vegan or lactose-free; with amino acid-based powders from aminoVITAL, you never have to worry about animal-based ingredients, because our amino acids are created through a patented vegetable fermentation process.

Lean Formula

By rejecting ingredients like added sugars or syrups, aminoVITAL products can provide all the energy, strength, and recovery speed of major protein shake brands with fewer calories and less fat. To keep your workouts intense without expanding your waistline, try an amino acid supplement from aminoVITAL today.

Fast, Powerful Energy Available with Amino Acid Supplements

If you want to find a light product that can fuel your workouts without adding tons of calories to your diet, try an amino acid supplement from aminoVITAL right away. Our products will give you the boost in energy and reduction in fatigue you want while making sure your muscles have everything they need to keep growing. Get rid of those unhealthy protein powders and join the 21^st century; try amino acids today. Learn more about aminoVITAL and how our products can help you by visiting us online or calling (888) 264-6673.