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3 Amazing Amino Acids to Include in Your Pre-Workout

Last updated: March-29,2022

3 Science-Backed Amino Acids to Include in Your Pre-workout Formula

It’s no secret that an aligned pre-workout is crucial for achieving workout goals. Choosing the right product with the right ingredients amongst the available pool in the market can be a challenge. Benefits of amino acids cannot be understated during a pre-workout. For those looking to take or create a pre-workout that’s catered to some popular muscle building needs, here are three of our must-have ingredient picks…

3 Essential Amino Acid Pre-workout Ingredients

BCAAs – Leucine, Isoleucine & Valine

Ignoring the fact that we’re counting three bullets as one here, BCAAs have become the must-have ingredients for the 2016 pre-workout supplement. Recognized for their branched molecular structure, research has suggested that there’s a noteworthy link between this trio of amino acids and protein (i.e. muscle) synthesis. That same research has also suggested that BCAAs may play a role in preventing muscle fatigue in athletes.

While there are many BCAA products that contain all three aminos in combination, there are a number that rely on leucine alone, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Leucine is currently the undisputed king of the bunch given the fact that it’s the only one that’s been shown to promote muscle synthesis on its own.

Glutamine

Accounting for nearly 61% of skeletal muscle, glutamine or l-glutamine is a key player in how our muscular system functions. Even though glutamine is a non-essential amino acid (meaning the body can produce it on its own), supplementing with glutamine has been linked to some interesting results.

Without going into all of the biochemistry involved, it’s been suggested that glutamine’s roles in our bodies’ glucose/glycogen (blood sugar) cycles, immune response, nitrogen transport/retention, and muscle synthesis may help set the body up to generate more muscle mass.

Even more interestingly, research has linked glutamine to leucine (which we mentioned earlier). As it turns out, glutamine levels in the blood have been linked to greater leucine concentrations in muscle fibers. Thus pre-workout with BCAA and glutamine offers greater leucine retention, facilitating higher potential for muscular gains.

Carnitine

Also referred to as L-carnitine, this particular amino acid has been recognized for a number of possible health benefits. But for bodybuilders and athletes, two of the most interesting things about carnitine include the fairly consistent body of research linking it to fat loss.

Carnitine administered before physical activity has also been linked to increased strength, which can then lead to more reps with heavier weights, helping those looking to pack on muscle mass reach their fitness goals.

The Takeaway

Though they may be small, there's no denying that amino acids are the undisputed building blocks of muscle. Incorporating amino acids into your pre-workout can be a great way to maximize your workout.

With over 120 years of contract supplement manufacturing experience, NutraScience Labs has created innovative capsule, powder & tablet products for hundreds of sports nutrition & bodybuilding supplement brands - and now we want to do the same for you! Our tried and true approach produces high-quality dietary supplements that are customized to your specifications and will undoubtedly stand out in today's competitive nutraceutical industry.

To learn more about our pre-workout manufacturing capabilities, award-winning packaging design services & convenient fulfillment solutions, call us at 855-492-7388 or send us your request to receive a free nutraceutical manufacturing price quote. We return most quotes within 48 business hours of receiving them.

May 11th, 2016

About the Author:

 
Melissa DellaBartolomea

Melissa DellaBartolomea was the resident Content Marketing Specialist at NutraScience Labs from February 2016 to July 2018. Driven by a passion for the world of written, visual, and digital media, she's dedicated herself to keeping up with all things nutraceutical. From ingredient insights to the latest in contract manufacturing regulations and trends, her mission is to provide our readers (like you) with the stories and knowledge they need to fuel long-term growth and nutraceutical industry success.