Individuals provide their muscles with additional nutrition by ingesting the leading amino acids. Branched-chain amino acids, also known as BCAAs, are vital components of protein. BCAAs are used to enhance protein consumption during physical activity, sports training, or for those aiming to sustain or build up their muscle mass.
Essential and non-essential amino acids can be found in foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs. But they can also be isolated in supplements. The 20 amino acids found in protein are categorized by their nature.
Essential amino acids
- Arginine
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Non-essential amino acids
- Alanine
- Asparagine
- Aspartate
- Cysteine
- Glutamate
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Proline
- Serine
- Tyrosine
The amino acids which the human body can’t produce need to come from good. Supplements are also based on food sources. Here are the best amino acids in a pure micronized form.
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Best Budget
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Best Amino Matrix
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3.5
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$39.99
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$23.99
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Achieve optimum energy and mental focus all throughout the day with OPTIMUM NUTRITION. This amino blend is packed with amino acids to aid muscle recovery after every workout. It also has 100 milligrams of caffeine from green tea and/or green coffee that helps keep and boost your energy level even after your workout.
This supplement has a unique formula that keeps you focused and alert in the morning and supports your training or workout in the afternoon. With only 18 calories per serving, 1 gram of carbs, and no sugar, OPTIMUM NUTRITION offers more than 10 flavors to choose from, depending on your taste, making it more fun and enjoyable to take.
OPTIMUM NUTRITION is easy to make: mix two scoops into 10-12oz. of cold water; it instantly mixes with water, so you do not have to worry about residues. The two scoops contain 100 mg of caffeine; exceeding six scoops within a 4-hour period could be dangerous. As always, consult with your physician first before taking any supplements.
- Comes in 10+ flavors
- Energy blend with 100 milligram of caffeine coming from green tea and/or green coffee extracts
- No sugar added
- Container is too large for its content
Build and repair muscles without compromising your finances. The amino acid tablet from 21st Century is Amazon’s Choice for amino acid supplements that support not only your muscles but also your budget. This supplement is packed with a combination of important amino acids that help your body build and repair muscle tissues, as well as daily amino acids for maximum strength.
The tablets are easy to swallow with no after-taste while delivering all the amino acids needed daily. It also helps in boosting your energy, allowing you to do more throughout the day. Use this you’re looking to gain some weight quickly, use this supplement along with protein. It is safe to take, and at $12.90, you will surely get your money’s worth.
- Budget friendly
- Easy to swallow tablet
- No after-taste
- No flavored option
Get the best results and create superior health with HumanPro by ALR Industries. This amino acid has the optimal ratio for human absorption and beats whey protein lean mass gains by 501% with 83% less toxic waste. It is also 100% pre-digested, so you never have to worry about GI discomfort or bloating.
If you are vegan or allergic to gluten, this supplement is perfect for you because it does not contain gluten, soy, sugar, lactose, or heavy metals. It only has 1 calorie per serving (that’s 0.004 calories per gram).
Coupled with proper diet and exercise, HumanPro helps lose body fat and gain muscles because of the effective and efficient absorption over all other forms of protein.
This supplement also comes in different flavors, making it more fun and enjoyable to take. It also comes in tablet forms for those who do not prefer drinking this in juice form.
- Vegan-friendly
- Does not contain gluten, soy, sugar, lactose, or heavy metals
- Optimal ratio for human absorption and beats whey protein lean mass gains by 501%
- Tablets may be too large to swallow for some
- The warning label is not highlighted
If you’re looking to lose weight, one of the most effective ways is to curb your diet, and one way to do it is by taking power amino acids from Factor4. This supplement help control your appetite for sugar, salt, and fat, including red meat, desserts, fast food, and tasty snacks.
Factor4 supports providing satisfaction even when caloric intake is reduced, and junk food is removed from your daily diet.
This supplement also helps in building your muscle tissues which increases your energy, endurance, and stamina during any performance or workout while effectively burning extra and unwanted fats.
- Curbs appetite for processed foods that are enriched in sugar, salt and fat
- Helps in burning fats and building muscles
- Good for health and better sleep
- Limited flavor
Ultimately designed with 4 grams of free-form amino acids, the Purbolics Aminos has the ultimate hydration formula that allows your body to fully recover after a workout. This supplement comes in powder and candy form, but this featured variant is in rainbow-colored candies.
So if you have a sweet tooth but are health-conscious and don’t want to put on weight, you will enjoy this. You can say goodbye to your chalky flavored drinks.
Do more each and every single day and be empowered with Purbolics. Stay focused on doing what’s best to achieve your body goals and the best version of yourself without feeling forced to do it; enjoy your journey and have fun along the way with Purbolics Aminos.
- Comes in powder and rainbow-colored candies
- Zero sugar and zero calories
- Has 4 grams of free-form amino acids for hydration
- The taste does not suit everyone
Never let anything block your athletic goals; take GNC AMP Pure Isolate with 25 grams of protein that delivers 19 grams of amino acids to support your muscles, 5 grams of BCAA, including Isoleucine, Valine, and Leucine, helping in the growth and repair of muscle tissue, and 1 gram Creatine building blocks.
One can never go wrong in picking this supplement. Since 1935, GNC has been dedicated to providing the highest standards regarding nutritional science; it is high-quality, safe, and effective. Give that fuel your body needs to help in energy circulation during intense activity.
The arginine in this supplement is one of the amino involved in the formation of creatine that plays an essential role in protein synthesis. GNC Pure Isolate is the drive your body needs to fully achieve your athletic goals while consuming only half the sugar, half the fat, half the cholesterol, and lower carbohydrates.
- Micro-filtered, fast-digesting whey protein isolate powder that delivers 25g protein, 5g BCAA and 0g sugar per 1-scoop serving
- Using over 20 steps in a sophisticated process to maximize protein quality
- Highest standards of quality, safety and efficacy
- A bit expensive
- The cookies & cream flavor does not taste well for some
Looking for a pre-workout drink that will make you go OMG? Try Harbody’s OMG Pre-Workout Drink, that’s delicious and packed with safe and premium ingredients. Hardbody’s OMG Pre-Workout Powder is the leading Premium Workout Supplement on the market today.
Backed by science, this supplement only uses a premium and a special formula that’s delicious and gets you motivated to fulfill your workout regimen and goals.
This drink provides the necessary extra energy and rejuvenates muscles to help maximize your workouts to their highest level of performance. It is great for both men and women that helps in suppressing your appetite for junk food, enjoying healthier meals, and workout more often for a longer period of time.
OMG supplement does all of this naturally and helps you lose weight quickly and effectively.
Be physically and mentally ready for your daily regimen and pick Hardbody’s OMG Pre-Workout Drink today!
- Uses all-natural ingredients inspected by FDA
- Helps in avoiding cravings for junk food
- 100% money back guarantee
- Comes in 4 exciting flavors
- Made with caffeine
- Container is bigger for the content
Power through your most extreme workout with Beyond Raw’s advanced formula pre-workout supplement. This supplement is free of gluten and sugar and delivers immediate energy and a second matchless surge.
In every serving of Beyond Raw LIT AF pre-workout supplement, you get 300 mg caffeine, 8g L-Citrulline Malate, 2g micronized creatine and 1.5g nitrosigine. It also includes 400mg of Peak ATP and 3.2g of Carnosyn Beta-Alanine in each serving. Every dose provides the needed boost to ignite your motivation to push through your limits to achieve the results you have been wanting.
- Great taste and perfect level of beta alinine
- Free of gluten and sugar
- Affordable formulation
- The caffeine content is a bit strong
Support lean muscle growth, reduce muscle breakdown, and increase protein synthesis with the MusclePharm Essentials BCAA Powder. This supplement offers what they call a unique ratio of 3 Leucine, 1 Isoleucine, and 2 Valine that are perfectly tuned to help in all phases of muscle development and maintenance. This formulation was developed to help release amino acids before and after every workout.
This supplement also aids in reducing damage in the muscles while working out while assisting in the increase of lean body mass. Taking this BCAA powder will help you get moving and finally start your working out and give you that result you have been looking for.
Take this formula to help you have that drive to start and get that muscle repair and building effect while your body is recovering without feeling sore or tired. This high-quality BCAA has a fine powder that dissolves quickly, mixes well with water without the lumps, and has an excellent fruit punch flavor.
- Convenient powder form that dissolves fast
- Does not include any banned substance
- 100% money back guarantee
- Great taste but only comes in one flavor
- Too sweet for some users
Formulated specifically for women, this BCAA from Nutricost has an optimum blend for a zero-calorie source of amino and industry-proven 2:1:1 ratio. It has been 3rd party tested and proven to be non-GMO and gluten-free.
The ingredients included in this supplement help in after-workout recovery and give enough energy for before and after. Some users also claim that this product is great for their hair, skin, and nails.
It tends to be sweet, so those with a sweet tooth will love this BCAA supplement. This product is also great if you want to feel well-rested and refreshed, making you want to take on what’s in store for you the next day.
The Nutricost BCAA is a great companion for women to use every after workout for a perfect and effective recovery. This supplement comes in five different flavors in three different sizes that you can try alternately, depending on your preference.
- Packed with essential vitamins
- Comes in 5 different flavors
- With 3 sizes to choose from
- Formulated only for women
- Could be too sweet for some
Help your muscles recover faster and increase endurance with the premium BCAA powder from RSP. By taking this supplement, you will notice more muscular endurance, diminish fatigue, and improve your muscle recovery. These are all essential parts of your post-workout or training routine.
This supplement also helps in maintaining an efficient immune function and effective in supporting existing muscle tissue preservation. The BCAA from RSP has a 2:1:1 ratio that provides the ideal combination of Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine that support the needed post-workout muscle recovery, protein synthesis, and decreased exhaustion. This formulation also helps you get ready for your next training or workout with just 5g of premium BCAA per serving; that’s a combination of energy and recovery in one.
RSP has developed this premium product through research and a series of tests to verify its efficacy, so you never have to worry about its quality.
Push through the toughest workout and arm yourself with the needed energy boost that will boost your endurance. After a workout, you will still get the benefits of BCAA 5000 which accelerate muscle recovery and help retain new muscles that have been built.
- Comes in 3 great flavors
- Scientifically-proven 2:1:1 ratio
- 100% tested and GMP certified
- Serving size is too large for some
Frequently Asked Questions
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are micronized from various foods and used as concentrates in supplements. As a supplement, amino acids cannot aid muscle recovery or muscle growth. But combined with balanced nutrition, the amino acids come with plenty of visible benefits, such as faster recovery.
What are the three types of amino acids?
Essential, conditionally-essential, and non-essential amino acids can be distinguished by category. The first two categories have been described above. However, conditionally-essential amino acids are needed in periods of stress. These amino acids become essential in demanding periods. They include arginine and glutamine.
What does amino acid do for the body?
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. But they also support body functions and hormone balance. Some amino acids are produced by the body. Others only come from food. By default, nobody needs to use amino acid supplements. Even athletes can train without taking supplements. But their aiding role improves anyone who’s particularly active.
Why do bodybuilders take amino acids?
Bodybuilders mainly take amino acids for muscle growth. The supplement is normally combined with protein-rich meals. Amino acids can also be combined with creatine and whey protein powder.
But bodybuilders also take amino acids to keep muscles that are hard to build. They choose amino acids to maintain muscles when going through weight loss phases and only burn body fat. But amino acids are also used in sports such as running, cycling, and rowing.
