The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are considered essential amino acids because human beings cannot survive unless these amino acids are present in the diet.
BCAAs are needed for the maintenance of muscle tissue and appear to preserve muscle stores of glycogen (a storage form of carbohydrate that can be converted into energy). BCAAs also help prevent muscle protein breakdown during exercise.
BCAA, with its clinically proven ratio of branched-chain amino acids and glutamine, can actually help you increase strength, boost performance, provide energy during dieting, and promote lean mass gains while increasing bodyfat loss. BCAA is perfect for all serious athletes, from the bodybuilder to the marathoner, the gainer to the dieter. Studies have proven that the formula in BCAA Pro can increase nitrogen retention, which in turn helps your body accumulate lean mass. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the BCAA/glutamine could increase strength and positively influence body composition. While taking BCAA in addition to a calorie-restricted diet, individuals gained lean mass while dramatically decreasing bodyfat! Whether you're dieting to make weight or are trying to maintain (or even increase) lean mass, studies prove there's no better amino acid combination than the BCAA/glutamine Pro. If you're looking for that extra edge, there's only one BCAA.
Some research has shown that BCAA supplementation (typically 10-20 grams per day) does not result in meaningful changes in body composition, nor does it improve exercise performance or enhance the effects of physical training. However, BCAA supplementation may be useful in special situations, such as preventing muscle loss at high altitudes and prolonging endurance performance in the heat. Studies by one group of researchers suggest that BCAA supplementation may also improve exercise-induced declines in some aspects of mental functioning.
BCAA, with its clinically proven ratio of branched-chain amino acids and glutamine, can actually help you increase strength, boost performance, provide energy during dieting, and promote lean mass gains while increasing bodyfat loss. BCAA is perfect for all serious athletes, from the bodybuilder to the marathoner, the gainer to the dieter. Studies have proven that the formula in BCAA Pro can increase nitrogen retention, which in turn helps your body accumulate lean mass. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the BCAA/glutamine could increase strength and positively influence body composition. While taking BCAA in addition to a calorie-restricted diet, individuals gained lean mass while dramatically decreasing bodyfat! Whether you're dieting to make weight or are trying to maintain (or even increase) lean mass, studies prove there's no better amino acid combination than the BCAA/glutamine Pro. If you're looking for that extra edge, there's only one BCAA.
There are five compelling reasons why every athlete–from the bodybuilder to the endurance athlete–should supplement with BCAA:
BCAA offers a new and unique method of delivering important branched-chain amino acids and glutamine to your muscles;
BCAA these aminos are among the most thoroughly researched among all anabolic/anti-catabolic amino supplements;
BCAA contains the “perfect,?scientifically-proven ratios of BCAAs and glutamine;
BCAAs and glutamine are the most important amino acids for the athlete who trains with intensity and the dieting athlete; and
BCAA supplement works faster than BCAA.
While not as flashy or hyped as creatine, prohormones, or methoxy, BCAAs and glutamine may be more important than all the other supplements, especially if you are:
dieting or
training with high intensity with fewer rest days between each workout. When dieting or training hard, your body’s pool of these aminos drops–a condition that can negatively affect muscular development. BCAA can replenish these pools. Clinical studies have shown that BCAAs and glutamine can provide a number of important benefits for athletes who are dieting or training hard.
Branched-chain aminos and glutamine can, in specific ratios,
BCAA stimulate Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle for enhanced lean mass accumulation;
BCAA can boost your body’s immune system during chronic exercise;
BCAA pare liver and muscle glycogen stores for improved performance and endurance;
BCAA can exert anti-catabolic effects (reduce muscle breakdown);
BCAA helps coupled with caloric restriction, BCAAs and glutamine can help your body selectively tap into fat stores while preserving lean mass; and
BCAA even serve as a fuel source during prolonged exercise when glycogen stores have been depleted (a fact that makes these aminos unique). This alone makes BCAA invaluable for the athlete in a carb-depleted state.
One study investigating the advantages of BCAA supplementation for people with diabetes undergoing an intense exercise program found no additional benefit of BCAAs on reducing abdominal fat or improving glucose metabolism.
Patients with liver diseases that lead to coma—called hepatic encephalopathy—have low concentrations of BCAAs and excess levels of certain other amino acids. Preliminary research suggested that people with this condition might be helped by BCAAs. Double-blind studies have produced somewhat inconsistent results, but a reanalysis of these studies found an overall benefit for the symptoms of encephalopathy. Therapeutic effects of BCAAs have also been shown in children with liver failure and adults with cirrhosis of the liver. Any treatment of people with liver failure requires the direction of a physician.
People with chronic kidney failure may also benefit from BCAA supplementation. A preliminary study found improved breathing and sleep quality in people given intravenous BCAAs during kidney dialysis.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disease that causes abnormally high amounts of phenylalanine and its end products to accumulate in the blood, causing damage to the nervous system. A controlled trial demonstrated that regular use of BCAAs by adolescents and young adults with PKU, improved performance on some tests of mental functioning.29 This outcome makes sense because BCAAs may compete with phenylalanine, reducing its toxic effects.
In tardive dyskinesia, phenylalanine levels have also been reported to be elevated. As a result, one group of researchers gave tardive dyskinesia patients BCAAs (from 150 mg per 2.2 pounds body weight up to 209 mg per 2.2 pounds body weight) after breakfast and one hour before lunch and dinner for two weeks.30 The BCAA mixture included equal parts valine and isoleucine plus 33% more leucine than either of the other two amino acids. Of nine patients so treated, six had at least a 58% decrease in symptoms, and all people in the study had a decrease of at least 38% in symptoms.
Where are BCAA found? Dairy products and red meat contain the greatest amounts of BCAAs, although they are present in all protein-containing foods. Whey protein and egg protein supplements are other sources of BCAAs. BCAA supplements
Who is likely to be deficient of BCAA? Only a person deficient in protein would become deficient in BCAAs, because most foods that are sources of protein supply BCAAs. Few people in Western societies are protein deficient.
Side effects of BCAA? Side effects have not been reported with the use of BCAAs. Until more research is conducted, people with ALS should avoid taking supplemental BCAAs. In one study, supplementation with a large amount of BCAAs (60 grams) caused alterations in the blood levels of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. The changes in the blood levels of these amino acids could, in theory, cause depression in susceptible individuals. Until more is known, individuals with a history of depression should consult a doctor before supplementing with BCAAs. People with kidney or liver disease should not consume high amounts of amino acids without consulting their doctor.
