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The information presented in Supplement Guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Nutritional recommendations are based on established guidelines for people of average health and on associations between vitamins, minerals, and herbs with health conditions from published scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage. These associations may not be true for all individuals and are not based on specific product brands or formulations. Nutritional and herbal products may vary widely in ingredient purity, concentration, and combinations, which may affect people differently. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other professional for any health problem and before adding supplements to your self-care practices or discontinuing any prescribed medications. It is important not to make any changes in your self-care, including taking supplements, before or after a surgery without your doctor's express recommendation. In addition, please consult with your healthcare practitioner to make sure that your cumulative daily intake of copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin B6, folic acid, or any other nutrient, does not exceed established, tolerable upper intake levels.
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- Vitamins & Supplements
- Amino Acids
Amino Acids for Muscle Health


Supplementing with Protein’s Building Blocks
Our bodies use 20 different amino acids to form the proteins required for cells to function. Nine of these are essential amino acids, meaning they aren't made by our bodies and must be obtained through diet. The branched chain amino acids in this family of products encourage protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and liver, promote muscle function, support exercise performance and muscle recovery, and support healthy brain and immune function.
4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Take Our Amino Acids
- Maintain muscle mass
- Enhance exercise performance & recovery
- Inhibit muscle soreness & fatigue
- Promote mental clarity & focus
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Amino acids support a number of functions in the body, including muscle performance and recovery, but they aren’t just for athletes. Our supplements also support cognitive and immune system health. Find the form that fits you.

Branched Chain Amino Acids
The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) L-valine, L-leucine and L-isoleucine are essential nutrients that must be obtained through your diet. BCAAs are popular with fitness enthusiasts, because they help maintain and build muscle strength and endurance. They also support a healthy immune system.
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Other Amino Acids
Amino acids have uses beyond fitness and immune health. They play a vital role in metabolism and maintaining a healthy nervous system. L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, produces calming, mood-supporting benefits. Taurine (which we offer in capsule and powder form) and carnitine, an amino acid derivative, support a healthy heart and brain.
See Other Amino Acids ProductsBranched Chain Amino Acids
Whether you're an athlete in training, or a weekend warrior who just wants to up your game, BCAAs can help support optimal performance and exercise recovery.
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BCAAs are essential, meaning they have to be consumed through diet, since our bodies can’t make them. BCAAs provide active adults support for exercise performance and muscle recovery.
Other Amino Acids
In addition to supporting your fitness regimen, amino acids such as L-Theanine, L-Lysine, Taurine, Carnitine and others play a role in mood, immune health and more.
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Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body. It supports a healthy heart and brain, muscle mass and exercise performance. Our Taurine supplement provides 1,000 mg of taurine per capsule.
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L-Arginine capsules are a convenient way to ensure you maintain healthy levels of this amino acid. It can help retain youthful elasticity in your arterial system and maintain cardiovascular health.
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Life Extension’s Arginine Ornithine Powder combines protein building amino acids arginine & ornithine to promote muscle health and recovery after exercise.
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Adding L-Carnitine to your supplement regimen provides a host of potential health benefits associated with aging. It starts with supporting mitochondria, which power every cell in your body.
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Our anti-aging supplement contains 500 mg of carnosine, a naturally occurring antioxidant, to support healthy aging and exercise recovery and to inhibit glycation, which contributes to wrinkled skin.
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Our muscle recovery support supplement is packed with potent antioxidant help, vitamin B1 benefits, luteolin to safeguard DNA and benfotiamine to help inhibit glycation.
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Glutamine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins. It is also an important fuel for immune cells that promote optimal immune function.
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Lysine, which is incorporated into many proteins, may promote proper nitrogen balance, a healthy stress response and inhibit glycation, which can play a role in a variety of age-related factors.
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Phenylalanine supplementation helps in the production of healthy neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine). Clinical trials suggest it may promote positive moods.
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The amino acid taurine supports heart and muscle health. Our Taurine Powder is a taurine supplement in an unflavored powder for easy mixing into your favorite drink or beverage.
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Glutamine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins. It is also an important fuel for immune cells that promote optimal immune function.
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Our Once-Daily Health Booster delivers the health benefits of essential fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients from plant extracts and a phospholipid blend for eye health, all contained in one convenient softgel.
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PQQ’s benefits stem from our special formula, which is designed to promote healthy mitochondria, the cellular structures that produce energy needed by the entire body.
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Nutrients like lutein and astaxanthin benefit eye health. Our MacuGuard® formula delivers these nutrients, plus zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, saffron and more for comprehensive eye health support.
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Our PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) supplement is a powerful antioxidant that supports the growth of brand-new mitochondria, to support cellular energy.
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What are amino acids?
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of life and are responsible for forming natural protein within the body. However, there are three amino acids that the body does not produce on its own. These "branched-chain" amino acids, or BCAAs, are leucine, isoleucine and valine. Aside from amino acid supplements, BCAAs can be found in protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat and dairy products.
Are amino acids good for muscles?
Yes, amino acids are good for you, especially if you are looking to support your body and muscles after you break a sweat.
If your goal is to support lean muscle mass, then amino acid supplements are for you. Specifically, the BCAA leucine activates protein synthesis in the body, which is responsible for promoting muscle mass.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a post-workout recovery, amino acid supplements have been shown to relieve occasional discomfort as well as promote healthy energy production after you hit the gym.
Which amino acid supplements should I take?
For supporting muscle recovery, it is important to incorporate a BCAA supplement into your wellness routine. Doing so will enhance exercise performance, recovery and support protein synthesis.
However, not all amino acids are for supporting muscle growth and development. The amino acid taurine helps support healthy heart function by helping maintain already healthy blood pressure and glucose levels.
Additionally, L-arginine is an amino acid that is naturally produced by the body, but some people struggle to get enough through diet. This amino acid helps maintain healthy tissues, bones, and healthy immune function.
Are there other amino acids for supporting muscle recovery?
If you are looking for additional amino acid support for lean muscle mass, health and recovery after exercise, turn to arginine ornithine. This amino acid powder specifically encourages healthy exercise recovery and lean muscle mass, while also supporting already-healthy blood pressure levels.
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