why do you need less amino acids than protein?

[tennisnut]

i don't understand this, proteins are made up from amino acids right. why than is a amino acid supplement worth for example 15 grams of protein supposedly as beneficial as lets say 30 grams of protein??

REPS

[dance2trance]

i don't understand this, proteins are made up from amino acids right. why than is a amino acid supplement worth for example 15 grams of protein supposedly as beneficial as lets say 30 grams of protein??

REPS

Amino acid supps contain amino acids in their free form. In proteins the body must break down the protein before the individual amino acids are on their own.


(post 700!...and counting)

[madman911]

Amino acid supps contain one or more of the 8 essential amino acids. These essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body, they are provided entirely by the foods we eat. BCAA products containing leucine are very useful because of the role leucine plays in stimulating protein synthesis post workout, particularly when combined with carbs.

Always mix it up and eat a few different whole protein sources daily. The limiting amino acid (the essential aa found in the lowest concentration) varies in different protein sources and by mixing it up, you make sure you are never deficient in any of them. Amino acid supps are not a substitute for whole protein.