Arachidonic and Phosphatidic, the most anabolic natural acids currently known

The two acids currently most researched and certified with regards to their effectiveness and functionality, in the panorama of Fitness and Bodybuilding

Muscle growth and recovery have always been the focus of attention for athletes of all levels. It is known to most that to obtain a valid hypertrophic stimulation it is necessary to impart an adequate mechanical stimulus (training), provide adequate plastic substrates (amino acids) and active substances with a stimulatory action on mTorc such as Leucine, and regulate the inflammatory processes that stimulate the growth of muscle cells. Less known, however, is the mediation and translation activity that some molecules have with respect to the mechanical stimulus induced by training: we are talking about Phosphatidic Acid (PA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA), the two acids currently most researched and certified with regard to their effectiveness and functionality.

What is Phosphatidic Acid (PA)?
From a chemical point of view, it is a phosphorylated diglyceride (diacylglycerol) progenitor of the phospholipid family (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, etc.) whose intracellular content increases following mechanical work by mediating the activation of mTor. The characteristics of the fatty acids that make up the diglyceride affect the functionality of the acid itself. It has been found that the presence of unsaturated chains, attributable to phosphatidic acid from soy lecithin, is associated with greater signal transduction, and therefore a more appreciable effect. Several scientific evidences have shown how the association between endogenous synthetic Phosphatidic Acid produced during training and exogenous PA administered in the form of a supplement have marked significant increases in strength and muscle mass in relation to training alone.

What is Arachidonic Acid (ARA)?
ARA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid from the Omega-6 family found in most cells of the body, such as the brain and adipose tissue. It is a semi-essential fat, which is derived mostly from the metabolism of its precursor, the essential fatty acid linoleic. In the human body, Arachidonic Acid is concentrated in the brain, liver, muscles, adipose tissue and other organs. It makes up 10-12% and 15-17% of the total fatty acids in the brain and skeletal muscles, respectively. ARA is essential in the normal inflammation process when you exercise or get injured. Essentially, ARA is the nutrient that makes muscles need to repair themselves after an injury.

How does Phosphatidic Acid work?
Greater knowledge of biochemistry has led over time to identify the signal pathway through which Phosphatidic Acid supports hypertrophy, it is an indirect action on mTorc, a protein kinase whose activation leads to cell growth and proliferation, through rather complex metabolic pathways. The interest in Phosphatidic Acid supplements obviously derives from its mechanism of action and the evidence on its real functionality in increasing mTorc activity is significant. It should also be remembered that it is the same metabolic target as Leucine, through different pathways and it is rational to think of an additive effect in the co-administration of PA and Leucine or PA and proteins (with adequate quantities of Leucine) with the expectation of significant gains in strength and volume, as already demonstrated in scientific research. Other effects attributed to Phosphatidic Acid, the most significant is associated with a greater expression of GLUT 4, the glucose transporter most expressed at the skeletal muscle level, following the combined intake of Phosphatidic Acid and whey proteins. We can therefore hypothesize a good response in situations of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Phosphatidic Acid is present in many foods, both of animal and vegetable origin, but the doses are so small that they do not even come close to reaching the optimal quantity to provide a significant anabolic stimulus.

How does Arachidonic Acid work?
During exercise, enzymes from damaged muscle cells travel to the damaged tissue to utilize ARA, creating prostaglandins. Prostaglandins regulate inflammatory processes that stimulate the growth of our muscle cells; this is also why we feel pain after exercise.
Arachidonic Acid is vital for the development and growth of babies and is an important component of breast milk. Because of this importance, it is also added to infant formula. In the case of cell damage, it is released from membrane phospholipids and metabolized by various enzymes (such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase). Arachidonic Acid is also metabolized into inflammatory and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids during and after exercise; these molecules are important for supercompensation and adaptation processes. ARA is naturally present in beef and eggs, but it contains so little that it does not provide any benefits, making it necessary to use a supplement with a useful amount to be able to exploit its benefits.

Benefits for athletes in the use of PA
Wanting to summarize and simplify the important concepts expressed so far, we can say that Phosphatidic Acid plays a role of primary importance in the cell signaling process, mediating the activity of the target of Rapamycin (mTor) and this process is one of the main responsible for muscle development. Phosphatidic Acid, in addition to anabolic activity, has a significant anticatabolic activity mediated by a down regulation effect of some proteins. These two actions, which act in synergy in the body definition processes, favor the increase in lean muscle mass at the expense of fat mass, making Phosphatidic Acid compatible with the ambitious goal of increasing "clean" body mass.

Benefits of ARA for Athletes
Research has shown that Arachidonic Acid has positive effects on the development of muscle tone in athletes. As a supplement it is used to support the increase in muscle mass, strength and power, as well as muscle preservation during a fat loss diet. The ability of ARA to support these goals lies in its vital role within the body, essential for the initiation of muscle protein synthesis after exercise. ARA levels within muscles can decrease with regular training, which can make it much more difficult to trigger new gains. Supplementing with ARA can help maintain optimal levels of Arachidonic Acid, so that muscles remain rich in this vital nutrient and gains continue to be supported and optimised.