Is it possible to take too many amino acids

These observations on protective mechanisms are considered in relation to effects obtained by feeding disproportionate amounts of amino acids. Intakes of large amounts of amino acids can produce toxicities, in which plasma concentrations of the administered amino acid rise to very high levels. Antagonisms arise from feeding excess of one amino acid that can be relieved by feeding a structurally related amino acid. It is also important in the functioning of the immune system as well as the metabolism of fat, according to PubChem.

Phenylalanine: Phenylalanine is quite important in the makeup of neurotransmitters and is a precursor of many of them, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and tyrosine. It also plays a crucial role in the structural makeup and functioning of enzymes and proteins and helps in the production of other amino acids, says PubChem.

Valine: PubChem states that valine helps in muscle growth and muscle regeneration and is also an important part of the production of energy. Tryptophan: Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates your sleep, mood and appetite, notes a January study published in Nutrients. Since the kidneys are so important in the regulation of the acid in the body, they are very susceptible to excess amino acids.

Some amino acids may be naturally acidic while others will naturally be basic. The protein in your diet, however, will be acidic. When you have a high-protein diet that results in high levels of amino acids in your body, your kidneys will have to work extra hard to keep the acid balance in the body at the proper level.

The body does not store extra amino acids, so if you consume too much, they will be broken down and eliminated, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The result is that you will have higher levels of urea and ammonia, and your kidneys will have to filter more blood. Arginine can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and bloating, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Additional side effects of ingesting arginine supplements can be gout, inflammation of the airway and other allergic symptoms. Arginine supplements can make the symptoms of asthma or allergies worse as well, so if you have either of these health conditions, use this supplement with caution.

The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding arginine for anyone who has had a heart attack. Anyone with cold sores or herpes should take it with caution as it can trigger the virus that causes these health conditions. Your mood levels may be lower than normal with too much BCAA, which is noted in a small study of 59 healthy women ages 45 to 65 that was published in the January issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.

Also, your sleep and wake cycles may be disrupted, according to a July review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. According to the Harvard T.

Keep in mind that these recommendations apply to healthy individuals. If you have kidney issues, are pregnant, suffer from ALS, or have a condition that affects how your body processes BCAAs such as maple syrup urine disease , you may want to limit your intake of amino acids.

If you have one of these conditions, be sure to speak to your doctor before integrating BCAAs or other amino acids into your diet, especially in large amounts. In the search for the best possible fitness supplement, many products present themselves as ideal. You have surely heard of electrolytes in the context of working out. Every sports drink has them. But what exactly they are may be a bit more of a mystery to even the most avid workout enthusiast. Amino acids are some of the building blocks of life.

Our body uses amino acids to help us make proteins and perform some important functions all throughout our body. But when it comes to working out, what makes amino acids so helpful? The benefits We use our own and third-party cookies to improve your experience and our services, and to analyze the use of our website.