Amino acids, often referred to as the building blocks of proteins, are compounds that play many critical roles in your body. They're needed for vital processes like the building of proteins and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters. While there are about 20 amino-acids, your body only needs 9- these are called the essential Amino Acids.

The health benefits of the essential nine are:

• Helping to improve exercise performance and recovery (they can increase muscle mass and reduce muscle soreness)
• Can help in wound healing
• Provide energy
• Aids sleep (The histidine and tryptophan help you maintain a normal circadian rhythm which is needed for sleep).
• Help break down food and aid digestion (It contains threonine, which is key for metabolising fat.)
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Can support the immune system
• It may also help improve mood (increase the production of serotonin)

It is best to take a supplement if you are wishing to build muscle and are on a regular training program.