Skip to main content

Amino Acid Competition

Meaning

Amino Acid Competition is a physiological phenomenon where multiple amino acids, particularly those sharing similar molecular structures, vie for access to the same transport proteins for absorption across biological membranes. This competitive transport occurs primarily across the intestinal lining for nutrient uptake and at the blood-brain barrier for entry into the central nervous system. The relative concentration of competing amino acids significantly determines the uptake rate of any individual amino acid, impacting downstream neurotransmitter and protein synthesis.