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These days you can buy single source amino acids such as tryptophan, arginine, histidine, etc, with the view to targeting one specific outcome; Tryptophan for example, induces relaxation or sleepiness. However, according to research and published documentation by Dan Benardot, pushing high doses of single amino acids into the system can be dangerous, unless done under the careful supervision of a healthcare professional.

When amino acids are absorbed into the blood, they can then be transported to different tissues where they are manufactured into necessary proteins. To ensure that the tissues are capable of manufacturing needed proteins, the essential amino acids must also be present for protein synthesis to take place. If you are consuming a single source amino acid and therefore have a poor/no distribution of the essential amino acids, then optimal protein synthesis of a particular needed protein cannot be encouraged. It should also be noted that once all protein needs are met, an over-consumption of amino acids will result in ‘deanimation’. This reaction creates ammonia, which is toxic to the body; fortunately enzymes in the liver convert this to urea and this is excreted from the body in urine. As a result of the deanimation, there may also be some fat storage.

Put simply, the best strategy is to supply the body with the widest possible array of essential amino acids, which then allows the individual tissues to synthesise the proteins needed for optimal body function.

At Monkey we stock a complete amino acid tablet, providing all the essential, non-essential and branched-chain amino acids, to ensure optimal protein synthesis.