Amino acids form the building blocks of proteins, which make up tissues such as muscle, bone and nails. They perform a varied role, benefiting not only muscle repair and muscle growth but immune function and cardiac health.
Amino acids also are believed to increase levels of antioxidants, particularly glutathione, which combat the action of free radicals and oxidative stress.
When undertaking a body building or athletic training, protein powder ensures that muscle tissue is repaired efficiently and provides the best condition for muscle growth. Muscles are damaged on a microscopic scale during exercise and especially during resistance exercise. After training, muscle is particularly receptive to nutrients and in particular protein.
Protein supplements consumed before a training session provide muscle with what they require for repair. In order to prevent muscle wasting (catabolism) it is necessary to take enough protein powder not only for muscle repair and growth but for all the other processes in the body too.
Following an injury, muscle is prone to wasting due to lack of use in respite care and protein supplements are commonly used to support physical repair and to enhance physiotherapy. There is also evidence that protein supplements may benefit vegetarians, those with poor diet and underweight individuals due to their convenience.