BCAA Supplements

BCAA's (branched chain amino acids) are among the most effect sports supplements known. When we talk about BCAA's we actually mean the essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. As you might already know, amino acids are the building blocks of protein. During digestion protein is broken down into non-essential amino acids and essential amino acids. You need both types of amino acids, but your body can produce non-essential amino acids from the essential ones. Find more sports nutrition related topics at nutrition main, or click here to learn more about sports supplements.

Description: BCAA Supplements

  • So here is how BCAA's work. As you now know BCAA's are non-essential amino acids.
  • Your body can use BCAA's (leucine, isoleucine and valine) in 2 ways:
    • Use them to produce non-essential amino acids (alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, proline, serine or tyrosine)
    • Or metabolized them inside your muscles => produce energy. Why use amino acids to produce energy? Well, that's the good thing about BCAA's. When you are in a heavy workout and your body doesn't have enough energy resources from carbohydrates, you body starts breaking down muscle tissue for energy production. This can be avoided by BCAA supplementation. There are actually 9 essential amino acids, but only 3 of them are BCAA's which can be used for this kind of energy production.
  • If you don't get enough essential amino acids from your diet, your body might not even be able to produce all the required non-essential amino acids. But if you consume enough essential aminos and even more BCAA's, you can work out harder or increase cardio a little.

Advice: BCAA Supplements

  • Best time to take BCAA's: Before or during workout
  • Price Range: Around 10usd for 100 to 200 capsules
  • BCAA's are very popular among powerlifters/weightlifters.
  • Try BCAA's if:
    • Your are into bodybuilding and your workouts are pretty long.
    • If strength or lean muscle mass is important to you, but you also have to do a lot of cardio. For example: Sprinting, gymnastics, american football