8 essential amino acids: indispensable muscle building blocks

What are essential amino acids?

Amino acids are divided into essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that are necessary for life.  The non-essential amino acids can be produced/synthesized by the organism itself (self-synthesis), while the essential amino acids must be supplied from external sources, e.g., the amino acids are synthesized in the body. about food intake.

The important 8 essential amino acids that the body needs:

• L-isoleucine
• L-Leucine
• L-lysine
• L-Methionine
• L-Phenylalanine
• L-threonine
• L-tryptophan
• L-valine

Functions of the 8 essential amino acids

The greatest importance of amino acids for the organism lies in their indispensable function as basic building blocks for proteins (= protein). They are therefore the precursor for protein synthesis in the body and are used to build body proteins. 

This is important in building, maintaining and repairing new muscle mass, among other things.

In addition, essential amino acids are the starting products of a wide variety of compounds that perform important metabolic functions in the body. 

Unlike fat, amino acids can hardly be stored and therefore require a regular supply. If the supply of essential amino acids is insufficient, the body’s own protein formation is not sufficiently possible.

The MAP formula for optimal amino acid composition

Professor Dr. Lucà-Moretti (International Nutrition Research Center, Florida) has discovered in 31 years of research that humans have a specific amino acid pattern (Master Amino Pattern = MAP) to achieve maximum protein synthesis.

All 8 essential amino acids must be present simultaneously and exactly according to the composition of the organism’s specific amino acid pattern in order for the amino acids to actually be used as building blocks for cell metabolism/body protein synthesis.

With a composition of the 8 essential amino acids according to the MAP formula, the body can optimally use the amino acids for incorporation into the cell substance.

The protein nutritional value or net nitrogen utilization (NNU) of a protein food source is lower the more the proportion and ratio of the 8 essential amino acids to each other deviate from the optimal pattern (MAP).

Even the highest quality dietary proteins such as meat, fish or poultry have an average NNU (value for effective protein intake) of only 32% compared to MAP. Consequently, only 32% of their amino acids are available as precursors for protein synthesis in the body. Dietary proteins therefore enable at most one-third of protein synthesis. 

For optimal achievement of maximum protein synthesis, the proportion of amino acids is composed according to the MAP formula.

The right sources of protein

Plant foods are an important source of essential amino acids. As a rule, all essential amino acids are found in every plant food, but in varying concentrations. 

That is, they are generally deficient in one or more essential amino acids. These are referred to as limiting amino acids.

Therefore, it makes sense to combine different plant foods. Thus, the coverage of the required amounts of essential amino acids can be very well guaranteed, lower amounts of essential amino acids of one food are excellently supplemented by the other. 

However, taking the recommended amount of the respective essential amino acids can be very time-consuming. 

The importance of natural production

Not only the composition of the essential amino acids is crucial, but also the way of production and the origin of the raw material is significant and shows serious differences. Often, the production of essential amino acid products on the market is carried out by means of chemical synthesis. 

In a synthetic preparation in the laboratory, the raw materials pass through various chemical extraction steps, among others, until the final product is obtained. For example, chemical residues from the manufacturing process could be present and contaminants could enter the preparations.

The purely vegetable production from fermented vegetables by means of natural production is particularly high quality. The essential amino acids obtained in this way are characterized by high biological availability.

Combines the 8 essential amino acids optimally: The RECOVERY8

Probably every athlete knows the so-called “open window”, i.e. the phase of immediate regeneration in the first 60 minutes after exertion. This is to be used optimally after intensive training sessions and competitions. Here is our RECOVERY 8 perfectly suited, because it provides you:

• Fast and efficient absorption of amino acids for building (within 25-30 minutes after ingestion – in contrast, dietary proteins and protein supplements take between 3 and 6 hours to digest). 
• best possible preservation and regeneration of muscle cells due to a natural, plant-based production from fermented vegetables
• optimal composition for maximum protein synthesis according to the MAP formula
• Hydration and nutrient supply
• Leucine, isoleucine and valine, the so-called branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs), play a significant role in muscle quality. Exercise-induced muscle damage leading to decreased muscle function, muscle soreness, pain and discomfort can be reduced by BCAAs (valine, leucine, isoleucine).¹
• used by many top athletes in elite sports