Remember in biology class when your professor told you that amino acids are the building blocks of skeletal muscle? This is undoubtedly true. But in reality, they are much more than just the tiny building blocks of your muscles. Amino acids are literal heroes. What are their superpowers? Read on and in five minutes you will know all the essentials about EAA.

Amino acids

There are a total of 20 (one) amino acids from which all human proteins are made.
It forms the basis not only of muscles, but also of organs, glands, ligaments, tendons, nails, hair and bones.
These amino acids are divided into different categories depending on how the body synthesizes them.

No need to go back deep into high school biology classes. It is enough to repeat that amino acids are divided into two essential groups. Non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and essential amino acids (EAA), which also include branched-chain amino acids (BCAA).

Non-essential amino acids are considered "non-essential" because our bodies can make them on their own and therefore do not need to include them in our diet. The second group is, unsurprisingly, the essential amino acids!

Essential Amino Acids (EAA)

Their importance in the body is illustrated by the fact that the body cannot create them on its own, and therefore relies on intake through the diet.

When we say amino acids are a literal superhero, we mean it.
We have summarized the long list of what roles amino acids play in the body and what processes they regulate into the most important of them.

Amino acids:

• - They regulate metabolism and energy balance
• - They help with the growth of lean muscle mass
• - They improve physical resistance
• - They speed up sports regeneration
• - They affect the absorption of nutrients and minerals
• - They reduce body weight
• - They improve immune functions
• - They positively affect sleep
  
  

At the same time, EAAs serve as precursors for the formation of other substances important for the body, for example neurotransmitters.

At first glance, it may seem that essential amino acids are a helper for "all problems". Since amino acids are an essential macronutrient for the body, there isn't much they can't do.

There are a total of nine EAAs that our body cannot make on its own. Each of them has an important function in the body.

A small overview:
L-Leucine (BCAA) – Plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth.
L-Isoleucine (BCAA) – Supports muscle growth, energy regulation and immune function.
L-Valine (BCAA) – Supports energy levels, endurance and recovery of muscle tissue.
L-Lysine HCL – Improves muscle recovery and regeneration.
L-Threonine – Supports fat metabolism, immune function and collagen and elastin production.
L-Phenylalanine – Has mood-enhancing effects and supports a healthy nervous system.
L-Methionine – Plays a role in fat metabolism, detoxification and absorption of certain elements.
L-Histidine – Supports the nervous system and protects muscle tissue.
L-Tryptophan – Supports healthy sleep, appetite and mood.

That's quite a list of benefits, don't you think?
Amino acids are literally the fuel for almost every process in your body . So if you want optimal health, sharp cognitive function, and peak athletic performance, focusing on sufficient amino acid intake and their proper ratios can get you further than any superfood, diet, or other biohack.

The benefits of amino acids depend on the intake of adequate amounts in the correct combination and ratio.

But this fact can be a bit tricky. What is the right combination and the right ratio?
This is the question we asked ourselves so that you no longer have to…

Formulation of essential amino acids - EAA Flow

After spending countless hours sifting through current scientific research, we have come up with a ratio that is not only similar to skeletal muscle composition, but is also best used to support and maximize the aforementioned benefits. This formula has everything it needs to boast the title of the best amino acid product on the market.

Each serving of EAA Flow contains 5 grams (5,000 mg) of pure essential amino acids in a carefully formulated ratio:

L-Leucine : 2000 mg (40%)
L-lysine : 850 mg (17%)
L-Isoleucine : 550 mg (11%)
L-valine : 500 mg (10%)
L-threonine : 455 mg (9%)
L-phenylalanine : 365 mg (7.3%)
L-methionine : 190 mg (3.8%)
L-Histidine : 75 mg (1.5%)
L-tryptophan : 15 mg (<1%)

We will tell you right away that this composition does not correspond to the composition of skeletal muscle one to one, but it contains a bit more leucine and the proportions are carefully formulated. From a purely logical standpoint, it would make sense to formulate a product with a skeletal muscle amino acid profile. However, from a physiological point of view, things are not as simple as replicating the composition of amino acids in muscle. Why?

When we consume amino acids, some of them are used up before they can be incorporated into skeletal muscle. In fact, this is exactly what happens with leucine, which tends to be quickly consumed by the muscle when it enters the cell.
Therefore, you should make sure that you are actually getting enough leucine.

We found that when it comes to building muscle mass and sports regeneration, about twice the amount of leucine is needed than is found in skeletal muscle.
EAAs with 40% leucine have been shown to be more effective in a number of clinical studies when it comes to protein synthesis and muscle building.

Why are leucine-enriched EAAs better?

The study speaks unequivocally as a whole. By using a ratio of essential amino acids that are just slightly higher in leucine (let's call them LEAA), you can see significant benefits in terms of lean muscle growth, reduced post-workout muscle fatigue, and faster recovery.

A 2019 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science examined the effects of (L)EAA supplementation (3.6 g, 3x/day) on post-exercise muscle damage in 10 young healthy men. The results of the study showed that (L)EAAs significantly suppressed exercise-induced damage to muscle tissue, suggesting that (L)EAAs may aid in muscle regeneration.

In a 2011 randomized controlled trial, eight adults completed two separate 60-minute bike rides over 13 days. During one period, 10 g of (L)EAA (3.5 g of leucine) was consumed, and during the second, 10 g of a standard EAA supplement (1.87 g of leucine). The results showed that (L)EAAs increased muscle protein synthesis 33% more than traditional EAAs (although both were effective).

A 2018 randomized controlled trial in stroke patients with sarcopenia (a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and skeletal muscle function) showed that supplementation with just 3g of (L)EAA resulted in increased muscle mass, strength.

In April 2020, a study was published in which 20 active young men on a controlled diet (1.2 g protein per kg body weight per day) received either 4 g (L)EAA (1.6 g leucine) or a placebo three times a day for four days after acute lower body resistance exercise. (L)EAAs have been shown to preserve muscle force production and reduce muscle soreness more than placebo, even when combined with an already high protein diet.

Summary

As you can guess by now, amino acids are a gem that regulates everything from sleep, to muscle building, recovery, immunity, mood, metabolism and much more. However, their benefits depend on the intake of a sufficient amount of specific amino acids in the correct combination and balanced ratio.

That's why we're here to cover your back.
Don't wait and go get the best amino acid product on the market.