Protein intake vs Aminos

[DAAS]

Is the actual intake of protein important or is it just the aminos?

As in do you really need to intake x amount of grams of protein per you body weight or are the aminos the important part and the calories what you should focus on.

Basically ive been taking amino drinks and am wondering that as long as I am eating enough calories do I need to make sure I get my x grams of protein or can I just eat and take this amino drink. Obviously the things I eat contain a certain amount of grams in protein but is the protein the important part or are the aminos?

[JWP806]

Is the actual intake of protein important or is it just the aminos?

As in do you really need to intake x amount of grams of protein per you body weight or are the aminos the important part and the calories what you should focus on.

Basically ive been taking amino drinks and am wondering that as long as I am eating enough calories do I need to make sure I get my x grams of protein or can I just eat and take this amino drink. Obviously the things I eat contain a certain amount of grams in protein but is the protein the important part or are the aminos?

Amount of protein. I've never had a BCAA drink and have never had a problem meeting my goals.

What does your diet look like? How many grams of protein are you getting per day?

[gbrice75]

Is the actual intake of protein important or is it just the aminos?

As in do you really need to intake x amount of grams of protein per you body weight or are the aminos the important part and the calories what you should focus on.

Basically ive been taking amino drinks and am wondering that as long as I am eating enough calories do I need to make sure I get my x grams of protein or can I just eat and take this amino drink. Obviously the things I eat contain a certain amount of grams in protein but is the protein the important part or are the aminos?

Interesting question. This is something I'd have to research, but off the cuff (and unofficially) - ultimately it's the AA's that are most important. We know that protein is just amino acid chains (aside from other organic 'substances' that actually make up physical proteins that we can touch and put in our mouths), and when proteins are digested, these chains are broken down and amino's are released into the blood stream.

Re: these 'other organic substances' - I would venture to guess there is some value/importance beyond just the AA's. This is what I'd need to research to give a truly informed answer.

Amount of protein. I've never had a BCAA drink and have never had a problem meeting my goals

There's no reason you would have a problem. Sufficient protein = sufficient amino acids. The question was whether protein (i.e. chicken, beef) in and of itself was essential vs. just the AA's that proteins are ultimately broken down to.

OP - until there is some kind of conclusive evidence, I'd personally stick with eating food. We evolved to eat and digest food, not dump straight AA's into our system. Supplementing here and there isn't an issue - but I don't think i'd be ready to switch to an AA diet. If for no other reason, satiation sake.

[awol]

Why the need for amino though? Adequate protein intake will easily satisfy your needs. Wouldnt taking amino in addition to protein be overkill?

[DAAS]

I think you get what I am trying to say. Obviously I am not trying to avoid protein intake via foods like chicken and steak, but i am not seeing the need of reaching a particular amount of protein if I am drink pure aminos every 2 hours. Because I look at protein shakes as basically the same thing as amino sdrinks just higher calorie and old flavors. Im tired of drinking vanilla or chocolate semen drinks for 5 years.

Interesting question. This is something I'd have to research, but off the cuff (and unofficially) - ultimately it's the AA's that are most important. We know that protein is just amino acid chains (aside from other organic 'substances' that actually make up physical proteins that we can touch and put in our mouths), and when proteins are digested, these chains are broken down and amino's are released into the blood stream.

Re: these 'other organic substances' - I would venture to guess there is some value/importance beyond just the AA's. This is what I'd need to research to give a truly informed answer.



There's no reason you would have a problem. Sufficient protein = sufficient amino acids. The question was whether protein (i.e. chicken, beef) in and of itself was essential vs. just the AA's that proteins are ultimately broken down to.

OP - until there is some kind of conclusive evidence, I'd personally stick with eating food. We evolved to eat and digest food, not dump straight AA's into our system. Supplementing here and there isn't an issue - but I don't think i'd be ready to switch to an AA diet. If for no other reason, satiation sake.

[DAAS]

Why the need for amino though? Adequate protein intake will easily satisfy your needs. Wouldnt taking amino in addition to protein be overkill?

Im saying why should I buy a protein drink if I am taking aminos every 2 hours. Aminos are what is in the protein that makes for muscle growth...etc.

Im still eating food but not focusing on reach x amount of grams in protein. If you look at an amino drink it will say 0 or very few grams of protein on the label, yet it contains the aminos, which are why we drink protein shakes.

So a further question would be, does "protein" in it self contain a "X" factor other then calories and aminos, that are beneficial.

[awol]

So substituting protein shakes with amino? You are still eating lean protein with your main meals right?

[DAAS]

So substituting protein shakes with amino? You are still eating lean protein with your main meals right?

yes i eat proteins. its almost impossible to avoid. im not asking because i need diet help, im just asking to gain knowledge.

[Tron3219]

AA are more quickly absorbed and typically the essentials amino acids(typically for muscle repair and growth). There are also nonessential amino acids that play a secondary role when you take in whey protein that you don't get from aa alone because whey protein is a more complete protein, it's closer to eating food then bcaa. Good is better then whey because its not only a complete protein (depending on what food of course), but has vitamins, minerals, carbs, fat, etc. food is ultimately the best choice because it is a complete nutrition source, not just protein source.

U can supplement with bcaa's, prior/during workouts to try and combat catabolism if u are in a fasted/malnourished state. But if I eat a preworkout meal you will have those amino acids available. It just takes longer to get the food source digested.

[awol]

I dont see how it would be a problem in that case, especially after a workout where rapid absorption is ideal.

If you were eating protein with main meals in addition to shakes and amino, that would probably be overkill..

[awol]

Just my 2 cents anyway...

[Tron3219]

I also forgot to add that essential amino acids can NOT be made by the body. And must be ingested.

[Tron3219]

I dont see how it would be a problem in that case, especially after a workout where rapid absorption is ideal.

If you were eating protein with main meals in addition to shakes and amino, that would probably be overkill..

If ur getting enough protein (1.5g/lbm) from food, you don't need to supplement with shakes or amino acids.

[Tron3219]

Examples of good times to use bcaa;

Before a fasted workout, during extensive long activity levels, any time you are worried about muscles becoming catabolic (which I'm des covering through IF) that takes more then you think!!

[DAAS]

well Im not sure if the drink is just BCAA. I believe both none essential and essential amino drink are available, but I see your point.I protein drink will cover a broader range of aminos.

AA are more quickly absorbed and typically the essentials amino acids(typically for muscle repair and growth). There are also nonessential amino acids that play a secondary role when you take in whey protein that you don't get from aa alone because whey protein is a more complete protein, it's closer to eating food then bcaa. Good is better then whey because its not only a complete protein (depending on what food of course), but has vitamins, minerals, carbs, fat, etc. food is ultimately the best choice because it is a complete nutrition source, not just protein source.

U can supplement with bcaa's, prior/during workouts to try and combat catabolism if u are in a fasted/malnourished state. But if I eat a preworkout meal you will have those amino acids available. It just takes longer to get the food source digested.

[gbrice75]

AA are more quickly absorbed and typically the essentials amino acids(typically for muscle repair and growth). There are also nonessential amino acids that play a secondary role when you take in whey protein that you don't get from aa alone because whey protein is a more complete protein, it's closer to eating food then bcaa. Good is better then whey because its not only a complete protein (depending on what food of course), but has vitamins, minerals, carbs, fat, etc. food is ultimately the best choice because it is a complete nutrition source, not just protein source.

U can supplement with bcaa's, prior/during workouts to try and combat catabolism if u are in a fasted/malnourished state. But if I eat a preworkout meal you will have those amino acids available. It just takes longer to get the food source digested.

Great post, agreed.

[Armykid93]

Interesting question. This is something I'd have to research, but off the cuff (and unofficially) - ultimately it's the AA's that are most important. We know that protein is just amino acid chains (aside from other organic 'substances' that actually make up physical proteins that we can touch and put in our mouths), and when proteins are digested, these chains are broken down and amino's are released into the blood stream.

Re: these 'other organic substances' - I would venture to guess there is some value/importance beyond just the AA's. This is what I'd need to research to give a truly informed answer.

There's no reason you would have a problem. Sufficient protein = sufficient amino acids. The question was whether protein (i.e. chicken, beef) in and of itself was essential vs. just the AA's that proteins are ultimately broken down to.

OP - until there is some kind of conclusive evidence, I'd personally stick with eating food. We evolved to eat and digest food, not dump straight AA's into our system. Supplementing here and there isn't an issue - but I don't think i'd be ready to switch to an AA diet. If for no other reason, satiation sake.

Great response and great question from the OP. Very informative thread.

[tigerspawn]

Bump

[austinite]

Bump

Did you have a question? Why the bump, tiger?

[tripmachine]

^ i'm glad he bumped it.... cause now i read it.

[austinite]

^ good to hear