Why are essential aminos better than non-essential aminos?
For some reason, bodybuilders love essential fatty acids and many supplement with it, even though it occurs naturally in many foods. Yet on the other hand, essential amino acids are ignored. In both cases, you can only get them through your diet-your body can’t make EFAs or EAAs on its own. Plus, research has shown time and again that only essential amino acids (EAAs) are needed for protein synthesis. As researchers have found, non-essential amino acids did not increase muscle protein synthesis, whereas essential aminos did: “Thus it appears that essential amino acids are the primary stimulators of muscle protein synthesis and that nonessential amino acids are not a necessary component” (Blake, 2000). So if you’re looking to maximize anabolism following training, it’s essential aminos that count. Non-essential aminos aren’t required.
