What Are the Side Effects of Taking Amino Acid Supplements?

As they rapidly grow in popularity, amino acid supplements have drawn the attention of everyone from professional athletes to casual fitness fans. These supplements offer a wealth of benefits; some of these are shared by other types of supplements, but many can only be found in amino acid blends. Of course, new fitness supplements are often viewed with skepticism, and rightly so; there are a lot of phony or harmful products out there, and consumers should ask questions before putting something in their bodies. Luckily, amino acid supplements from aminoVITAL® are both safe and effective, but a person looking to use them might still wonder: What are the side effects of taking amino acid supplements? To find out, keep reading as the experts at aminoVITAL® explain.

Benefits of Amino Acid Supplements

Protein shakes and powders may receive most of the attention among fitness supplements, but those outdated products are quickly being replaced by amino acids, the newer, more advanced option for boosting gains and improving recovery times. Not all amino acids serve this purpose, however; the ones to focus on are the branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These compounds form the backbone of most amino acid-based fitness supplements, and they provide many familiar benefits in a faster, more efficient package.

Each BCAA serves a specific function to support muscle performance and repair.

• Leucine is the amino acid responsible for triggering the creation of new skeletal muscle in the arms, legs, and elsewhere. In other words, it helps your muscles get bigger and stronger.
• Isoleucine works to promote the use of glucose, the body’s main form of energy, during exercise. It also has reported benefits for improving muscle repair after intense physical activity, reducing the time it takes to recover after each workout.
• Valine serves more of a support role, helping to protect the muscles from damage in times of stress, such as during a workout. It also helps regulate the immune system and promotes healthy cognitive functions.

Whereas whole proteins must be slowly digested upon consumption, the free-form amino acids in aminoVITAL® supplements can be absorbed into the bloodstream almost immediately – which is why they take effect up to three times faster than whey protein. This advantage is part of what makes amino acids the superior choice for pre-workout supplements and mid-workout supplementation, as you won’t have to wait to feel the effects and get the energy you need to power through your workout.

Amino acid supplements also tend to be much leaner than protein powders and shakes, which often contain significant amounts of calories and sugar in each scoop or sip. Instead, amino acid mixtures like those from aminoVITAL® offer low-calorie options that can provide the compounds you need to help your muscles heal and grow while fighting fatigue and soreness during and after exercise – all without undermining your overall health-, fitness-, and weight-related goals.

Safety and Side Effects of Amino Acid Supplements

For the vast majority of people, amino acid supplements are a safe, effective way to increase the benefits of exercise. Some minor side effects have been reported, namely fatigue or loss of coordination, but these anecdotes don’t seem to be backed by science; in fact, numerous studies have examined the effects of these compounds on the body and found little to no evidence of adverse reactions in healthy users, though there are one or two very specific circumstances in which a person may want to avoid amino acid supplements.

Those with certain medical conditions could be negatively impacted by a dose of amino acids, and especially BCAAs; this primarily concerns those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, or branched-chain ketoaciduria, also called maple syrup urine disease. Those who suffer from chronic alcoholism may also be at risk, as the use of BCAAs by this group has been linked to liver disease and possible brain damage.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding may also want to avoid amino acid-based products, though more out of an overabundance of caution than because of any specific side effects or health risks. Infants with a condition called idiopathic hypoglycemia – meaning that they have low blood sugar due to an unknown cause – may need to avoid BCAAs, and especially leucine, as it may lead to even lower blood sugar, though this issue has not been widely studied.

Also, those who are getting ready to undergo surgery or who recently underwent a surgical procedure may want to stop using BCAA supplements two weeks before their surgery and for a week or so after, as these compounds might affect blood sugar levels during and after surgery.

If you take any prescription medications, especially those used to treat diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, be sure to talk to your doctor before using amino acid supplements, as there may be a negative interaction between these compounds. Other types of medications that may interact with BCAAs include corticosteroids, thyroid hormones, and diazoxide, which is used to treat low blood sugar.

Safe, Effective Amino Acid Supplements Available from aminoVITAL®

If you work out or exercise regularly and would like to increase the benefits of these activities in a safe, efficient, effective way, try an amino acid supplement today. These products are faster and leaner than traditional protein shakes and powders while offering many of the same benefits you’ve come to expect from your fitness supplements. Learn more about the amino acid supplements available from aminoVITAL® by visiting us online or calling (888) 264-6673 today.