L-aspartic acid is an amino acid, which are the building blocks of protein. D-aspartic acid is used in other body functions. Aspartate refers to both forms.
L-aspartic acid is a nonessential amino acid, meaning that it is made naturally in the body and doesn't need to be consumed in foods. D-aspartic acid is also made naturally in the body, but it's used in the nervous and reproductive systems rather than to make protein.
People use aspartic acid for athletic performance, fatigue, muscle strength, opioid withdrawal, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse aspartic acid with L-ornithine-L-aspartate. These are not the same.
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