5 Best EAA Supplements 2023: Our Top Picks For Training
Reviewed by Dr. Drew Sutton, MD
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People might need to gain or lose weight for personal, health, or professional reasons. These significant weight changes can be overwhelming, especially if you are expecting seamless results. This is where dietary supplements come in; these products come in various forms, including pills, powders, and liquids. Some of the most popular products used for weight loss and gain are essential amino acid (EAA) supplements. An essential amino acid supplement aims to promote the recommended daily amino acid intake.
These products contain various essential amino acids that do not naturally occur in the body. They help in muscle protein synthesis and are beneficial in muscle growth, repair, recovery, and mass. Amino acids[1] are considered the primary protein-building elements.Essential amino acids[2] supplements contain the nine amino acids the body cannot generate. They include methionine, leucine, valine, lysine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, threonine, and histidine. These amino acids are responsible for improving the body’s overall health. EAAs are among the most used dietary supplements for weight gain and loss. This article will comprehensively review some of the best essential amino acid supplements in 2022.
5 Best EAA Supplements 2023: Our Top Picks For Training
- Transparent Labs Intra – Editor’s Choice
- Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy – Best Variety
- Jacked Factory EAA Surge – The Best Tasting
- Kaged Muscle Amino Synergy + Caffeine – Best Customizable Serving Size
- NutraBio Alpha EAA – Best Value
5 Best EAA Supplements 2023: Our Top Picks For Training
Transparent Labs Intra
This EAA supplement contains 6.7 grams of essential amino acids per serving. It is designed to promote muscle growth and recovery.
- Vegan friendly
- Contains BCAAs
- Natural ingredients
- Gluten-free
- Money-back guarantee
- No flavor variety
- Has tree nuts
This is one of the best EAA supplements as it contains BCAAs and EAAs, 6.7 grams per serving. It is among the top-rated intra-workout supplements that contain an electrolyte blend of the nine essential amino acids and coconut water powder. This EAA supplement can enhance mental focus, blood flow, and hydration while exercising. It does not contain artificial colorings, additives, sweeteners, or additives. Even though it has no multiple flavors, this EAA supplement is effective and comes with a particular ratio of vegan BCAAs and all nine essential amino acids. In case of unsatisfactory results, this essential amino acid supplement comes with a sixty-day money-back guarantee.
Jacked Factory EAA Surge
This essential amino acid supplement is an excellent option during workouts. It contains 6.7 grams of EAA per serving.
- Multiple flavors
- Suitable for intra-workouts
- Vegan friendly
- 30-days money-back guarantee
- Free shipping
- Relatively expensive
- The unflavoured option is not pleasant
Jacked Factory is among the most reputable brands offering high-quality essential amino acid supplements. If you are looking for weight gain, this is an excellent option for building muscle mass and enhancing exercise performance. This EAA supplement contains a proprietary blend of the nine essential amino acids in a clinically proven ratio. This essential amino acid supplement is vegan-friendly and contains 6.7 grams of EAA per serving. It is manufactured in cGMP-approved facilities and is free from artificial dyes, fillers, or additives. Jacked Factory also contains coconut water powder and comes in five tasty flavors. If you want to save more, this EAA supplement company offers a subscription option for monthly deliveries.
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy
This is an excellent option for anyone seeking a multi-flavored EAA supplement. It comes with 5 grams of EAA per serving and comes in fifteen flavors.
- Multiple flavors
- Moderately priced
- Contains caffeine
- 5 grams of EAA per serving
- Contains artificial flavors
- Not soy-free
This is among the top-rated EAA supplementation for muscle repair, boosting energy levels, and enhancing mental concentration. This dietary supplement comes in four sizes and fifteen delicious flavors. It contains 100 mg of caffeine per serving; therefore, you can expect a significant energy increase when working out. The caffeine is obtained from green tea extract and coffee beans. This brand designs top-notch quality EAA supplements containing 5 grams of the nine essential amino acids per serving. If you have allergies to soy, this dietary supplement might not be ideal as it contains soy.
Kaged Muscle Amino Synergy + Caffeine
This product can nourish your body with essential amino acids and boost energy levels. It contains organic caffeine (124 g) and amino acids (3.6 g) per serving.
- Vegan friendly
- Third-party tested
- Offers subscribe-save options
- Gluten-free
- The recommended dosage is two servings daily
- No multiple flavor options
This is among the best EAA supplements for optimal protein synthesis. The recommended dosage for this intra-workout supplement is two servings each day. The product aims to nourish your body with amino acids; therefore, it can maximize muscle protein synthesis. It also undergoes rigorous third-party testing to guarantee potency, safety, and purity. This is among the top-rated protein powders for users seeking to increase muscle protein synthesis and boost muscle endurance, recovery, and hydration. It contains plant-based ingredients such as coconut water powder. It offers subscription and save options which helps customers save more while ordering these top-tier EAA supplements.
NutraBio Alpha EAA
This is one of the best EAA supplements. It comes in multiple flavors and contains 6 grams and 8.2 grams of BCAAs and EAAs per serving.
- Stimulant free
- Contains BCAAs and EAAs per serving
- Multiple flavors
- International shipping
- Has tree nuts
- Not vegan
This is one of the best-tasting EAA supplements in the industry. This intra-workout supplement comes in seven delicious flavors and contains EAAs and BCAAs per serving. This EAA supplement is beneficial for boosting mental focus, reducing stress, enhancing memory, and enhancing exercise performance. If you have high sensitivity to caffeine, this EAA supplement is an excellent option as it is non-stimulant. It contains high-potency ingredients such as Ashwagandha KSM-66 and nootropics such as Huperzine A, VitaCholine, and Alpha-GPC. One drawback of this essential amino acid product is that it contains phenylalanine[3] and tree nuts.
What Are EAAs?
Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) contain nine vital amino acids that do not naturally occur in the body. These essential amino acids include methionine, leucine, valine, lysine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, threonine, and histidine. EAAs aimaims to promote protein synthesis, promote muscle growth, endurance, repair, and recovery. You can also obtain EAAs from complete protein foods such as chia seeds, quinoa, eggs, fish, and meat. On the other hand, supplements are designed to boost protein intake; they come from powders, pills, or drinks.
They can help you lose weight since they contain low-calorie levels. EAA supplements also contain tyrosine, l-glutamine, citrulline malate, and other nonessential amino acids[4]. These supplements are an excellent option, especially if you are on a calorie-restricted diet. EAA supplements can offer prominent results when combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration. Also, some of these supplements contain branched-chain amino acids that can boost your overall health and fitness.
What Do EAAs Supplements Do?
These supplements can prevent muscle catabolism and reduce calorie intake. A protein shake made with EAA products can help you lose extra body fat. These supplements are mainly used to boost the body with naturally occurring vital amino acids. These products can increase muscle protein synthesis since amino acids are the building blocks of this process. They boost muscle growth, repair, recovery, and mental and physical energy. These supplements are an excellent option, especially if you are on a calorie-restricted diet. EAA supplements can offer prominent results when combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration.
The Benefits Of EAAs
The following is a list of health benefits one can reap from consistently taking EAA supplements:
- Muscle growth
- Muscle repair
- Muscle recovery
- Lean muscle mass
- Losing weight
- Muscle tissue repair
- Enhanced athletic performance
- Preventing muscle loss
- Enhances mood
- Improves sleep quality
- Enhances nutrient absorption
- Prevents muscle soreness
How To Choose The Best EAA Supplements?
The best essential amino acid product depends on the user’s health and fitness needs. Some EAA products contain a significant amount of vital amino acids that effectively enhance protein synthesis. Others, for additional protein, contain l-glutamine, citrulline malate, and other nonessential amino acids. If you have high sensitivity to caffeine and other stimulants, there are non-stimulant supplements. The ones containing caffeine obtain it from green coffee bean extract or green tea. Choosing these supplements also depends on the desired fitness goal; if you want to lose or gain weight, purchase the supplements to offer these precise benefits. If you have any underlying medical condition or are taking any prescribed medication, consult your healthcare provider before using these products.
How To Take EAA Supplements?
These intra-workout supplements come with recommended dosages on the label’s instructions. You can take an EAA supplement by mixing a scoop with water or other beverages allowed on the instructions. You can take these supplements any time of day to boost your nutrition intake; however, check the manufacturer’s instructions. Always observe how your body reacts and gradually increase the intake, if necessary. You can consult a nutritionist before using these supplements. If you have any underlying medical condition or are taking any prescribed medication, consult your healthcare provider before using these products.
Final Thought
The body requires amino acids to prevent muscle breakdown and boost protein synthesis. There are naturally occurring amino acids; however, 9 essential amino acids are not produced. You can obtain these compounds from whole foods; however, some supplements can boost this intake. These EAA supplements contain electrolyte blend, branched-chain amino acids, and caffeine; these supplements nourish the body with specially selected amino acids that do not form naturally.
You can consult a nutritionist before using these supplements. If you have any underlying medical condition or are taking any prescribed medication, consult your healthcare provider before using these products. . If you have any underlying medical condition or are taking any prescribed medication, consult your healthcare provider before using these products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A BCAA supplement is ideal for people seeking to meet the recommended protein need, while EAAs are suitable for those who fall short.
These supplements are considered generally safe. On the other hand, if you obtain enough protein from your meals, these products are unnecessary.
Minors, pregnant and lactating women, people with underlying medical conditions, or those taking prescribed medication.
There are EAA supplements in tablet and powder form. The tablet and powder can be ingested when dissolved in water or another liquid.
Timings are not subject to any precise regulations. However, depending on your needs, you can time it as a pre-workout, intra-workout, or post-workout supplement.
Yes, you can consume BCAAs without eating beforehand. It’s actually preferable that way. The amino acids begin to act immediately and fast on an empty stomach.
These supplements increase energy homeostasis through several strategies. Combined with regular exercise, they can lower body weight and fat mass.
Always follow the label’s instructions.
+ 4 sources
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- Lopez, M.J. and Mohiuddin, S.S. (2022). Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557845/#:~:text=Of%20these%2020%20amino%20acids,Phenylalanine [Accessed 17 Nov. 2022].
- Lopez MJ;Mohiuddin SS (2022). Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32496725/ [Accessed 17 Nov. 2022].
- Mayo Clinic. (2020). Phenylalanine in diet soda: Is it harmful? [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/phenylalanine/faq-20058361 [Accessed 17 Nov. 2022].
- Kohlmeier, M. (2003). Proline. Nutrient Metabolism, [online] pp.404–412. doi:10.1016/b978-012417762-8.50063-6.
