Amino Acids, Protein, and Calorie Amounts

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

As I understand it, protein is made up of amino acids. A scoop of whey that I have is 90 calories (0F/1C/22P). However, there are amino acid powders out there which claim to have the essential amino acids but they have 2 calories total. Here’s one: Amazon.com: BodyHealth PerfectAmino Powder - BCAA and EAA Powder for Pre and Post Workout - Amino Acid Energy Drink Powder for Men and Women to Support Lean Muscle and Recovery - Mixed Berry - 30 Servings : Health & Household

So why is there such a big calorie difference?

2

Most national agencies do not count/require calories to be reported for “partial nutrients” like BCAAs or EAAs, though they technically have ~ 4kCal per gram or so.

3

Ahh, thank you!

4

Good point. Both anecdotal evidence and theory suggest that anything more than a few grams of pure BCAAs is likely to simply be excreted. However, following that logic, I’m also inclined to say that there is little or no value in adding BCAAs to something like whey, seeing as it already contains quite a bit of them.