Summary: Increased amino acid intake during periods of stress, perioperative phase, or prolonged periods of inactivity may help prevent muscle wasting, significantly lower the risk of post-procedure complications, and fasten recovery. However, it is vital to understand that protein intake requirement is much higher than usual during stress periods.
Our previous articles discussed the importance of carb loading in reducing post-surgical complications and enhancing recovery. However, it is no secret that amino acids are even more critical.
Amino acids are the building blocks of the body. Though there are thousands of types of proteins in the human body, they are all made of just 22 amino acids. This is very similar to the way thousands of words are made of just 24 alphabets. The human body combines amino acids in different combinations to make proteins. Proteins are needed to produce and regenerate most tissues, hormones, and more.
Humans get amino acids by consuming protein-rich foods. During digestion, proteins are broken down into individual amino acids and absorbed. Once they reach inside the body, they can reassemble into proteins that the body needs, thus enhancing anabolic processes.
Those are all basics of human nutrition. However, here we are focusing on the role of amino acids in promoting recovery after surgical procedures and their role in boosting anabolic processes.
In the post-surgical phase or during prolonged illness, catabolism dominates, resulting in muscle loss and weakening of the immune system. However, the severity of these processes can be reduced, and recovery is boosted by consuming more proteins or enhancing amino acids intake.
One of the issues is that during periods of stress, there is a significantly higher need for amino acids or protein intake. Most individuals need just about 0.8 g/kg/day of protein. This requirement may be higher in sports people, and that is why they use protein supplements. However, it is time to realize that protein requirement is even higher during rehabilitation. Thus, experts recommend 1.6 g/kg/day to even as high as 3 g/kg/day or protein intake. Surely, that is quite a lot, and getting so much protein during the recovery phase is only possible through protein supplementation.
Further, researchers recommend amino acids supplements for promoting recovery. Unlike proteins, amino acids work faster. Moreover, during or around the time when the procedure is done, doctors may increase amino acids supply through amino acids supplementation or even consider infusions. Thus, for example, a study by Chitranjan and colleagues shows that perioperative amino acid supplementation may considerably reduce muscle wasting and promote early recovery of function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
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Of course, these recommendations are not just for surgical patients. Anyone recovering from some ailment may benefit from boosting their intake of amino acids. Muscle wasting is high during periods of stress, and it is further accelerated by disuse, like in bedridden individuals. However, increasing the intake of proteins, especially certain amino acids like leucine, may help prevent muscle disuse wasting.
Amino acids are not just for reducing muscle wasting. They play an important role in wound healing. A higher intake of amino acids like arginine and glutamine can significantly boost wound healing. A higher intake of amino acids is also associated with better bone density.
One more thing important to understand is that it is good to increase protein intake during periods of stress. Still, it is equally vital to consume high-quality proteins rich in essential amino acids.
Additionally, supplementing the diet with amino acids may have some added benefits. Amino acids are more readily absorbed, as they do not need to be digested or broken down, like proteins. Further, amino acids act as signaling molecules, which may result in some unique benefits.
Finally, remember that even supplementing the diet with amino acids that are not needed for protein production may also help. There are several amino acids that are not required for making proteins, but they may help reduce stress, increase NO production, improve vascular health, reduce muscle wasting by helping reprogram the body, and more.
