Do amino acids have calories, and can they be used as energy.

[serbyte]

If they are not used as energy, then i have another question.

 

[mrzap]

Each gram = 4 calories. Amino acids = protein.

Your body can use protein as energy but it has to go into a catabolic state in order to use protein as energy. That is bad. Stick to carbs and fat as energy sources.

 

[serbyte]

Thats what I thought, but I was told different.

But why do people take AAs before cardio. Why not just take a small protien shake.

 

[Mr.X]

If they are not used as energy, then i have another question.

AA can be used for energy via their breakdown into glycogen via gluconeogenesis. Glutamine is one of the most widely used AAs in the body.

Mr.X

 

[serbyte]

I was asking for the reason of taking them before cardio.

What is Idealy taken before cardio to minimize muscle loss, and maximize fat loss? BCAAs, Glutamine? and how much?

 

[mrzap]

because ideally protein and moreso straightup amino acids should lower the risk of catabolism of your muscles.

 

[obiwan9962]

Thats what I thought, but I was told different.

stay away from the person that told you that

 

[serbyte]

What is a good ammount? 5gs 15gs? BCAAs or Glutamine?

 

[BodyByFinaplix]

serbstyle, if you really want to take an amino acid suppliment pre-cardio, I would go with 5-10 grams of BCAA's in order to reduce the catabolic effects of your cardio.

 

[Anssi Manninen]

If they are not used as energy, then i have another question.

Amino acids certainly have calories and can be used as energy (especially during low carb/low energy diet). Read my recent (2002) paper on protein metabolism etc.:

http://www.cc.jyu.fi/~jjhulmi/Manninen.pdf

(164 pages)