Amino Acids As A Fall Back Plan Against Catabolism

Naturally, all energy needs in the body are served by carbs and fats ingested through the diet. In normal circumstances, the body supplies for all energy demands using carb sources unless prompted otherwise by existing conditions. One of such conditions is when there are no carbs in the system and no fats. Since the body is pressed for energy, especially during intense workouts, then it results to using non-carbs for energy. In this drain goes the proteins and if push comes to shove, if for instance the energy demand continues, the body breaks down the muscle tissues. This process where energy is derived from no-carbohydrates sources is called catabolism.

Besides the lack of carbs in the body, there are other instances in which the body uses energy from non-carb sources irrespective of the presence of the carbs. Such instances include emergency energy demands. When the body is introduced into exercises gradually, the metabolism and circulation within muscle tissues is prompted to speed and efficiency production of energy. But during those initial moments (seconds) when no energy has yet been produced, the body still requires energy. And in the muscle cells, there is a reserve energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which arguments for the energy needs as an emergency measure before metabolic processes can take over.

This also happens when the carbs supply in the body are depleted before the exercises are done. You need an extra energy source to get going, or else the body will get seriously catabolic. The reserve energy, ATP is made from a chemical compound called creatine phosphate (CP). It is the CP that produces and replenishes the ATP stores perpetually. This explains the recent phenomenal market explosion of products with creatine as a supplement. Hard core body builders require adverse levels of ATP to factor in the monumental energy needs arising from their strength training.

The CP is derived and sustained by the body from three vital amino acids namely, Methionine, Arginine and Glycine. So if you have to keep the CP levels high and therefore the ATP stores, these three amino acids must always be elevated in your bloodstream by meals or supplements. The amino acids act as a back-up pan for emergency energy needs in the body.

In traditionally approaches to bodybuilding, most proteins (read amino acids), were supplied through foods in the body builder's diet. But today, elevating your intake of amino acids or even CP for that matter merely with conventional foods could take ages. The low levels available in foods are coupled by delay in digestion and absorption. The proteins are also complemented by unspecific levels of carbs and fats that may not be desired by the body builder. Creatine supplements should therefore be used to complement is dietary intake of proteins.

But whichever source of creatine, or rather the three amino acids that help get CP levels high; the bottom line is to ensure that you have enough ATP energy to factor in during emergency energy demands.