Q. Does ingestion of amino acids (AAs) derail fat burning?
Since protein is hydrolyzed (broken apart) into AAs by stomach acid, once the stuff is past your stomach, it's pretty much the same whether you take it in as protein or AAs. A protein meal will increase insulin and decrease circulating fatty acids, diminishing fat usage. (http://www.ncbi.
One of the leading theories regarding how calorie restriction works to extend longevity is that without the surplus intake, the body is forced to recycle cells and their components, including proteins. When it recycles the proteins this cleans up cells and breaks them down into their component amino acids (AAs). That supply of AAs is in exact proportion to what the body needs, because they're coming from the proteins it has recently built.
The strongest method for preserving muscle is to use it. The tendency to recycle (autophagy) will be balanced or overwhelmed by demand for new growth.
Since AAs are what protein is made of, I see no reason to augment AA intake if one's diet has adequate protein. Lack of AAs is manifest as lack of protein or generalized malnutrition, which is very rare in developed countries. Supplying disproportionate amounts of individual amino acids seems more likely to cause trouble than prevent it. AAs can be used to supply fuel for the brain via gluconeogenesis, and they do have caloric content of 4 calories per gram.
I'm also a big fan of "if it isn't broken, don't fix it," so if you're seeing good results with your regimen, I wouldn't change. If you want the best chance of achieving the still-not-proven longevity enhancement possibility of IF, then a change might be worth considering.
Best wishes,
Bert
Bert Herring
Fast-5 Corporation
--- In fast5@yahoogroups.
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> Hola, Doc!
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> This question stems from a conversation here about Fast 5 and P90X (the thread is below).Â
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> As you know, I'm no bodybuilder! I'm a 42 year old, 6'4" guy who used to weigh well over 400, who is now down to about 225 through diet and exercise. Weight training has been, at least for me, the thing that transformed me mentally and physically. Fast 5 has been not only a big part of my transformation, but also an eating plan that I continue to champion.
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> Anyway -- I want to ask about amino acid supplementation. Every morning and afternoon, I take in 5-7 grams each of glutamine and branched-chain amino acids, as well as arginine (AAKG) and creatine. I have a better understanding on how the aminos are used. Glutamine, from what I've read, is not only immediately used as an alternate fuel source for the brain and gut, but also seeme to be regarded as something that helps inhibit cortisol production at its highest regular cycles (like morning and afternoon, for instance). I believe I read that over half of your skeletal makeup is glutamine, so supplementing with it can actually keep your body from using muscle for fuel.
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> My question - if amino acids are assimilated rapidly as a "food source," would they derail the fat-burning of a fasting state even if I can't see that they have any calories associated with them? At least none of the pure powders that I use have any calories listed on them.
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> I'd love your input. I feel like my regimen is really pretty effective for me.  I also supplement with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is basically an oil that does have some calories, but I was more interested in the amino acids themselves.Â
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> Regards,
> Phil
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