How to Use Amino Acids, How Do Amino Acids Work, and How Much Protein Do You Need?

Welcome to the first in our Ask Dr. Cohen series!

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How should I use amino acids after a workout?

When used regularly, FundAminos™ is the most powerful protein support available. Just two scoops provide the equivalent of 40 g of dietary protein per day, with only 35 calories.

Unlike dietary protein, which can take 2–3 hours to digest, amino acids in FundAminos are absorbed in about 20 minutes, making them ideal before, during, or right after workouts. For optimal rapid absorption, avoid combining them with fats or other protein for 30 minutes. If desired, you can mix FundAminos with fruit or clean carb powders for additional fuel.

Most people—especially women—struggle to reach at least 0.8 g of protein per pound of body weight daily. Amino acids help fill that gap, improving recovery, appetite control, and lean muscle support.

How do amino acids actually work in the body?

Dietary proteins provide amino acids, which your body uses for repair, recovery, and metabolic processes. However, your body can only absorb about 30% of the amino acids from food proteins. The rest is diverted to energy or excreted, which is why protein foods supply 4 calories per gram.

FundAminos, by contrast, is a highly concentrated essential amino acid blend. With a 99% utilization rate, nearly all amino acids are used directly for protein synthesis and recovery, leaving almost nothing to be burned for energy. That’s why FundAminos delivers the protein equivalent without the calories of traditional protein sources.

For more background, see NIH’s overview on amino acid metabolism.

How much protein do you really need each day?

Your daily protein needs vary by age, activity, and health goals. For active individuals, I recommend 0.7–1.0 g of protein per pound of body weight. That means:

• A 130 lb active woman should aim for ~90 g protein daily
• A 180 lb active man should aim for ~126 g protein daily

These targets align with modern performance nutrition research (PubMed study on protein needs). During times of higher demand—such as injury recovery or intensified training—extra amino acid supplementation can accelerate adaptation and repair.

Because FundAminos provides a complete essential amino acid profile, in theory you could meet all your protein needs with it. However, I recommend combining it with whole-food protein sources such as grass-fed beef, fish, and eggs to benefit from additional nutrients like CoQ10, CLA, and essential fats (Cleveland Clinic guide).

Continue the series: Ask Dr. Cohen #2 | Ask Dr. Cohen #3

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