Amino Complex Berry Flavored
Thorne
Amino Complex Berry Flavored
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(5137 ratings)
Valine 625 mg
Isoleucine 625 mg
Tryptophan 20 mg
Lysine 650 mg
Methionine
Phenylalanine 100 mg
Histidine 150 mg
Score 85.0
Thorne Amino Complex is a premium, comprehensive essential amino acid supplement from a highly reputable brand. It excels in supporting muscle growth and recovery due to its strong BCAA profile. While beneficial for overall health, specific dosages for mood or detoxification are low, suggesting it's best viewed as a foundational EAA source.
Quantity: 8 Ounce(s)Servings size: 8 Gram(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Fitness
Muscle Gain
Energy
Mood Support
Stress Relief
leaderboard Score 85.0
Thorne Amino Complex is a premium, comprehensive essential amino acid supplement from a highly reputable brand. It excels in supporting muscle growth and recovery due to its strong BCAA profile. While beneficial for overall health, specific dosages for mood or detoxification are low, suggesting it's best viewed as a foundational EAA source.
insights Analysis
Thorne Amino Complex Berry Flavored (ID: 218297) is a comprehensive essential amino acid (EAA) supplement from the highly regarded brand Thorne, known for its quality and purity. This product contains a full spectrum of essential amino acids, including significant amounts of BCAAs (L-Leucine 1.25g, L-Isoleucine 625mg, L-Valine 625mg), alongside other crucial EAAs like L-Lysine (650mg), L-Threonine (350mg), L-Histidine (150mg), L-Phenylalanine (100mg), L-Methionine (50mg), and L-Tryptophan (20mg), as well as the non-essential L-Cystine (150mg). With over 5,000 positive reviews, it is a popular choice among consumers. Nutritionists often recommend Thorne for its commitment to high-quality ingredients and manufacturing standards. This amino acid blend is particularly beneficial for individuals engaged in fitness, muscle gain, and recovery due to its robust BCAA content. While it lists a wide range of goals, some of the individual amino acid quantities (e.g., Tryptophan, Tyrosine) are relatively low for achieving strong, targeted effects on mood, focus, or sleep compared to dedicated single-ingredient supplements.
- Contains a complete profile of all essential amino acids (EAAs), crucial for overall protein synthesis and bodily functions.
- Excellent brand reputation (Thorne) known for quality, purity, and often recommended by healthcare professionals.
- Provides a good, balanced ratio and sufficient dosages of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) for muscle support and recovery.
- Berry flavored, which generally enhances palatability and mixability for powder supplements.
- High review count on online platforms suggests widespread user satisfaction and trust.
- The price per serving ($1.63) is on the higher end, making it less budget-friendly compared to some other amino acid supplements.
- Dosages of some individual amino acids (e.g., L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, L-Methionine, L-Phenylalanine) are relatively low for achieving targeted therapeutic effects for specific goals like mood, sleep, or detoxification, often requiring separate, higher-dose supplements for those purposes.
- The broad list of claimed goals might be optimistic for the specific quantities of some ingredients, potentially leading to unmet expectations for highly specialized benefits.
- Contains L-Phenylalanine, which must be avoided by individuals diagnosed with Phenylketonuria (PKU).
$44.10($1.47 per serving)
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bolt Effectiveness for goals
Essential amino acids (EAAs) are crucial for various bodily functions, including muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair, as the body cannot produce them. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), a subset of EAAs, are particularly noted for their role in muscle recovery and reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. This combination supports overall muscle health, energy metabolism, and recovery processes.
L-Leucine is a potent activator of the mTOR pathway, which is a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis, the process of building new muscle proteins. Along with L-Isoleucine and L-Valine, BCAAs provide essential building blocks necessary for muscle tissue repair and growth following physical activity. They help stimulate the processes required for muscles to adapt and recover.
Yes, essential amino acids contribute to the repair of muscle tissue damaged during exercise and can help reduce post-workout muscle soreness. They provide the necessary building blocks to replenish amino acid pools, facilitating quicker recovery. This supports the body's natural regenerative processes after physical exertion.
Some research suggests that branched-chain amino acids may help reduce fatigue during prolonged exercise by competing with tryptophan for uptake into the brain, potentially affecting serotonin levels. While not a primary energy source, they can contribute to maintaining muscle integrity during intense workouts. However, individual results can vary depending on the type and intensity of exercise.
L-Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite. L-Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, which play roles in alertness, focus, and cognitive function. Although present in smaller amounts, these amino acids contribute to broader systemic support beyond just muscle anabolism, impacting neurological functions.
schedule Dosage, timing & forms
Essential amino acid blends are often consumed around workouts to support muscle protein synthesis and recovery. They can be taken before, during, or after exercise, depending on individual goals. Some also take them between meals to provide a consistent supply of amino acids.
While standalone BCAA supplements often feature a 2:1:1 ratio of L-Leucine to L-Isoleucine and L-Valine, a comprehensive amino acid complex may include these in varying proportions. The inclusion of other essential amino acids means the overall blend supports a wider range of bodily functions. For instance, Thorne's Amino Complex provides a 2:1:1 BCAA ratio within its full spectrum blend.
Taking amino acid supplements on an empty stomach can lead to quicker absorption, as there is no other food to compete with for digestion. This rapid uptake is often desired for pre- or post-workout timing. However, some individuals might experience mild digestive discomfort, so it's best to assess personal tolerance.
Powdered amino acid supplements offer flexibility in dosage and can be easily mixed into beverages, allowing for quicker absorption compared to capsules. This form is often preferred for larger doses or for consistent intake throughout a workout. They also avoid the need to swallow multiple pills.
While amino acids are naturally occurring, extremely high doses of individual amino acids can potentially have adverse effects. However, the amounts of L-Phenylalanine (100mg) and L-Tryptophan (20mg) typically found in balanced essential amino acid blends are generally well within safe consumption levels for most healthy adults. It's always prudent to adhere to label recommendations and consult a healthcare professional for specific concerns.
health_and_safety Safety & interactions
Most healthy individuals tolerate essential and non-essential amino acid blends well at recommended dosages. Minor gastrointestinal discomfort can occasionally occur. Consulting a healthcare professional is advisable for personalized guidance.
Individuals with pre-existing kidney or liver conditions should exercise caution with amino acid supplementation. High protein or amino acid intake might place additional strain on these organs. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before use if you have such conditions.
Individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU) must strictly avoid L-Phenylalanine due to their inability to metabolize it. Consumption can lead to severe health issues for them. It is crucial for those with PKU to meticulously check all product labels for L-Phenylalanine.
L-Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, and taking it concurrently with SSRIs or other serotonergic medications may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, requiring medical attention. It is essential to discuss this with a healthcare provider before combining them.
L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine are precursors to neurotransmitters, which can interact with certain medications. Combining them with MAOIs or L-DOPA medications (used for Parkinson's) may lead to adverse effects. Medical consultation is advised to assess potential risks.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
Calories | 25 Calorie(s) |
Total Carbohydrates | 1 Gram(s) |
L-Leucine | 1.25 Gram(s) |
L-Lysine | 650 mg |
L-Isoleucine | 625 mg |
L-Valine | 625 mg |
L-Threonine | 350 mg |
L-Histidine | 150 mg |
L-Cystine | 150 mg |
L-Phenylalanine | 100 mg |
L-Methionine | 50 mg |
L-Tyrosine | 30 mg |
L-Tryptophan | 20 mg |
Categories
Valine 85.0
Providing 625mg of L-Valine, this product offers a robust and effective dose of this branched-chain amino acid. Valine is critical for muscle growth, repair, and energy metabolism, contributing significantly to the product's benefits for fitness and muscle gain, especially as part of a balanced BCAA complex.
Isoleucine 85.0
The 625mg of L-Isoleucine is a strong dosage for this essential branched-chain amino acid. Isoleucine is vital for energy production, muscle repair, and nitrogen balance, making its presence at this level highly beneficial for fitness and recovery.
Lysine 80.0
With 650mg of L-Lysine per serving, this product provides a substantial and effective amount, comparable to many single-ingredient L-Lysine supplements. Lysine is an essential amino acid crucial for protein synthesis, calcium absorption, and immune system function, making its inclusion at this level a strong point for the complex.
Goals
Fitness 90.0
The product is highly beneficial for fitness due to its comprehensive essential amino acid profile, particularly the substantial and well-proportioned doses of BCAAs (Leucine 1.25g, Isoleucine 625mg, Valine 625mg). These amino acids are crucial for supporting endurance, reducing exercise-induced muscle damage, and enhancing overall athletic performance.
Muscle Gain 90.0
The generous amount of L-Leucine (1.25g), combined with optimal levels of L-Isoleucine (625mg) and L-Valine (625mg), effectively stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is the primary driver of muscle gain. The presence of all other essential amino acids ensures the body has all necessary building blocks for efficient muscle repair and growth post-exercise.
Energy 90.0
Amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, can be utilized as a direct energy source during prolonged physical activity, helping to delay fatigue. The complete spectrum of essential amino acids also supports various metabolic pathways crucial for maintaining sustained energy levels throughout the day and during workouts.
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