EAAs

EAA supplements

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and play a critical role in various bodily functions — including enzyme production, cellular repair, muscle protein synthesis, immune function, fluid balance and energy metabolism (ATP) (1). While the body needs 20 different amino acids to build functional proteins, there are nine essential amino acids it cannot produce internally — histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids are in protein-rich foods like meat, fish and soybeans, however, an easy and convenient way to include them in your diet and support exercise recovery and muscle growth is with our EAA supplements and powders.

Elite Supplements — home to a range of EAA powder supplements

Elite Supps is committed to providing health-focused customers with premium supplements that will make a noticeable difference to their performance and recovery. We have a huge selection of EAA supplements from leading health and fitness brands to help you surpass your personal best and supercharge post-exercise recovery.

Available in a range of sweet and fruity flavours, each EAA powder formula is jam-packed with science-backed ingredients designed to improve athletic performance, support healthy immunity, boost hydration and assist with muscle-building.

Whether you’re a bodybuilder looking to increase muscle mass or a regular gym goer who focuses on resistance training, incorporating an essential amino acid supplement into your pre-workout routine will enhance your ability to perform and recover rapidly — so it’s easier to return to the gym the next day.

Shop premium EAA powders at Elite Supps today

As Australia’s leading online supplements store, we’re renowned for offering high-quality products, regular promotions and affiliate programs that enable you to join our community and shop your favourite formulas at discounted prices. We also offer flat-rate shipping within Australia on all purchases, so you can shop with peace of mind knowing your order will arrive quickly. If you’d prefer to view our health and fitness products in person, you’re more than welcome to head to any of our store locations. Have a question about our essential amino acid supplements? Check out our FAQs and blog posts, or get in contact with our team of nutrition and health experts today.

FAQs

What are the benefits of taking essential amino acid supplements?

Improves exercise performance — Alongside a healthy, balanced diet, EAA supplements can help relieve muscular fatigue and increase the body’s anabolic response to exercise. Studies have proven that essential amino acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis and promote skeletal muscle growth when combined with resistance training (2).

Muscle function and exercise recovery — Essential amino acids are vital for muscle development, recovery and strength. Supplementing your diet with an EAA powder may increase the supply of nitrogen to your body while controlling the balance between atrophy and muscle growth. It can help maintain the level of amino acids stored in your skeletal muscles — with a gradual loss of skeletal muscle, protein and energy availability are lowered throughout the body, meaning post-exercise recovery becomes a challenge. Amino acids like leucine help improve muscle function while simultaneously boosting exercise performance (3, 4).

Immune support — Beyond supporting protein synthesis, amino acids play a key role in supporting overall immunity. A key nutrient for immune cells, amino acids are required for the optimal synthesis and concentration of various immune-related proteins — including cytokines and antibodies. With regular consumption of EAA powders, studies show they can support critical immune-related responses and ensure the body remains healthy during exercise (5).

When are amino acid supplements not recommended?

Various studies have assessed whether long-term consumption of amino acid supplements can negatively impact the body. However, there is insufficient data determining whether amino acids are harmful to consumers and if there are serious side effects (6).

Further research is necessary to elucidate the effects of long-term consumption and whether they can impact the immune system, brain function and muscle protein balance. A dose of amino acids could negatively impact those with certain medical conditions (such as diabetes) — so before you incorporate an EAA powder into your diet, it’s vital to seek professional guidance and consult a general practitioner for medical advice. Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding may also want to avoid EAA supplements.

What are the side effects of taking an EAA supplement?

The following effects could potentially occur if you overconsume essential amino acids:

Gastrointestinal distress — bloating
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Changes in eating patterns and habits
Increased risk of gout — a build-up of uric acid in the body that can lead to joint inflammation
Demand for kidneys to work harder to maintain a healthy balance

Is it okay to take amino acids every day?

As with any supplement, it is vital to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating it into your everyday diet.

Do amino acids hurt your liver?

Various studies have proven that consuming amino acids is a promising strategy for preventing and treating liver ailments. Amino acids such as peptides and BCAAs have beneficial effects in managing various liver diseases. However, additional information and further peer reviews are required for definitive results (7).

References

1. Church, D., et al (2020). Essential Amino Acids and Protein Synthesis: Insights into Maximizing the Muscle and Whole-Body Response to Feeding. Nutrients, [online] 12(12), p.3717. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123717.

2. Santos, C. de S., et al (2019). Isolated branched-chain amino acid intake and muscle protein synthesis in humans: a biochemical review. Einstein (São Paulo), [online] 17(3). https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2019rb4898.

3. Argilés, J.M., et al (2016). Skeletal Muscle Regulates Metabolism via Interorgan Crosstalk: Roles in Health and Disease. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, [online] 17(9), pp.789–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2016.04.019.

4. Kamei, Y., et al (2020). Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Function by Amino Acids. Nutrients, 12(1), p.261. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010261.

5. Cruzat, V.F., et al (2014). Amino acid supplementation and impact on immune function in the context of exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-014-0061-8.

6. HOLEČEK, M. (2022). Side Effects of Amino Acid Supplements. Physiological Research, [online] pp.29–45. https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.934790.

7. Lee, D.-Y., et al (2019). Therapeutic Effects of Amino Acids in Liver Diseases: Current Studies and Future Perspectives. Journal of Cancer Prevention, [online] 24(2), pp.72–78. https://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2019.24.2.72.