system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Amino acids

I've started taking supplements lately because it's summer now, and I have more time on my hands, so that means more training. Im currently training 7 times a week, training 2 times a day twice a week, and having two restdays (thursday and sunday).

I've started taking some fast carbohydrates (maltodextrin) and protein powder to gain some weight and muscle. Either way, I recently came across this supplement called Amino acids. What is it? I know it promotes muscle growth but isn't that just what protein powder does? And what is BCAA? What is the difference between protein powder and amino acids, and can they be used together?


Thanks!
gpt
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, like lego blocks, except molecular.

When you eat protein, your digestive tract breaks it down into amino acids, which are then used by your body to build its own protein.