Essential AMINO is a matrix composed of 100% essential amino acids, obtained from vegetable fermentation. Essential amino acids (EAAs) are those that the human body is unable to synthesise independently in sufficient quantities to meet requirements, and which must therefore necessarily be taken in through the diet. It is important to remember that the EAAs also includes branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, and that amino acids are the organic molecules that our body uses to form proteins.
What is an essential amino acid supplement for?
When food alone is not sufficient to meet requirements or when the intake of certain foods is reduced, EAA supplements are undoubtedly a valuable aid for providing the body with everything it needs for protein synthesis.
Essential AMINO has an l-leucine, l-isoleucine and l-valine ratio of 4:1:1, which means a higher leucine content, as this amino acid is fundamental for protein synthesis. Essential AMINO also contains all 8 EAAs in an optimal ratio for maximising their bioavailability and minimising nitrogenous waste production.
What are the essential amino acids (EAA) for humans?
For (adult) human beings, there are eight essential amino acids, namely:
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Lysine: present mainly in milk, soya and beef, but almost absent in cereals, it is required to form carnitine and vitamin B3. In athletes, it can speed up post-workout recovery.
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Tryptophan: found in milk and dairy products, eggs, pulses, meat and fish. It is an important amino acid for protein synthesis, and is the starting point of serotonin and niacin synthesis.
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Phenylalanine: found in most animal and vegetable proteins, namely meat, offal, fish, eggs and also brown rice. It is involved in many metabolic processes, acts as a 'structural building block' of proteins, and contributes to the formation of thyroid hormones.
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Threonine: found mainly in corn, soya, eggs, mushrooms, cod, pork, lamb, rabbit and veal. It is one of the amino acids that is most likely to be lacking in vegan diets. It is a constituent of antibodies, and therefore plays a key role in maintaining the immune system.
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Methionine: found in dairy products, egg whites, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, cod and soy protein. Methionine is the basis for the production of carnitine and cysteine, as well as creatine, taurine and vitamin B12. It performs a chelating action on certain heavy metals and if present in sufficient quantities acidifies the pH of urine.
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Leucine: milk, corn, chicken and eggs are the main dietary sources of this amino acid. It plays an important role at the muscular level, and is an alternative source of energy during intense sports activities.
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Isoleucine: mainly found in corn, potatoes, chicken, eggs, peanuts, bresaola and lamb. It is closely linked to glucose requirements (as a matter of fact, it is referred to as a glucogenic and ketogenic amino acid), prevents structural protein catabolism and promotes recovery after prolonged exertion.
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Valine: is found in high quantities in egg white powder, soy protein, spirulina algae and dairy products. It plays several important roles, particularly in tissue reconstruction.
Of these 8 EAAs, the last 3 described (Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine) are known as BCAAs or branched-chain amino acids, because they have a branched side chain.
For growing individuals, a ninth amino acid is also considered essential: histidine.
Scientific references
Francesco S. Dioguardi, Gli aminoacidi: lettere di un alfabeto più antico della vita, Sintesi InfoMedica, 2018
Francesco S. Dioguardi, Clinical use of amino acids as dietary supplement: pros and cons. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2011 Jun
Bonfili L et Al, Essential amino acid mixtures drive cancer cells to apoptosis through proteasome inhibition and autophagy activation, FEBS J. 2017
D'Antona G, Ragni M, Cardile A, Tedesco L, Dossena M, Bruttini F, Caliaro F, Corsetti G, Bottinelli R, Carruba MO, Valerio A, Nisoli E. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation promotes survival and supports cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis in middle-aged mice. Cell Metab. 2010 Oct 6;12(4):362-372. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2010.08.016. PMID: 20889128.
Dillon EL. Nutritionally essential amino acids and metabolic signaling in aging. Amino Acids. 2013;45(3):431-441. doi:10.1007/s00726-012-1438-0
Volpi E, Kobayashi H, Sheffield-Moore M, Mittendorfer B, Wolfe RR. Essential amino acids are primarily responsible for the amino acid stimulation of muscle protein anabolism in healthy elderly adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;78(2):250-258. doi:10.1093/ajcn/78.2.250
Drummond MJ, Glynn EL, Fry CS, Timmerman KL, Volpi E, Rasmussen BB. An increase in essential amino acid availability upregulates amino acid transporter expression in human skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2010 May;298(5):E1011-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00690.2009. Epub 2010 Feb 9. PMID: 20304764; PMCID: PMC2867366.
Børsheim E, Tipton KD, Wolf SE, Wolfe RR. Essential amino acids and muscle protein recovery from resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Oct;283(4):E648-57. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00466.2001. PMID: 12217881
