Compositions based on amino acids are described, in particular for oral or parenteral use, suitable for treating heart insufficiency.The compositions according to the invention comprise up to 75% of the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, as active ingredients.Preferably, the compositions also comprise, as further active ingredients, up to 50% of threonine and lysine.Other essential amino acids are preferably also provided (in particular methionine, phenylalanine, histidine, triphtophan) as well as non essential amino acids (in particular tyrosine and/or cyst(e)ine—i.e. cystine and cyst(e)ine).Other amino acids can be added, provided that their sum is in a percentage being lower than 20% with respect to the other active ingredients, and less than 10% for each single amino acid.