Bodybuilding Nutrition: Branch Chain Amino Acids

By: MuscleSports.net

- Nutrition Articles -

BCAAs - Providing Muscle Energy and Improved Performance!

Branched-Chain Amino Acids: include leucine, isoleucine and valine. These amino acids are needed for the maintenance of muscle tissue during physical stress and intense exercise. From the perspective of athletes, BCAAs function as anabolic agents and induce sparing, which allows the body to burn fat and not muscle.

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Branch Chain Amino Acids FAQ Page

Nutrient needs often increase faster than calorie needs in athletes. Ultimate Nutrition is committed to providing athletes with the best products to fulfill exactly those needs. Ultimate Nutrition's 100% Crystalline BCAA is one product designed to increase endurance, lengthen the time to fatigue and improve performance.

There is a correlation between the amino acid tryptophan in the brain and the degree of mental fatigue. Upon entry into the brain, tryptophan has the ability to “calm” the central nervous system, causing sleep and drowsiness. Normally, there are sufficient amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) circulating in the bloodstream to control the entry of tryptophan into the brain. During long-term and sustained exercise, however, muscles use large amounts of amino acids as a source for energy. The body prefers to use BCAAs for energy, since they readily replace glucose in the energy production pathways. As muscles begin to use BCAAs, the amounts of these amino acids drop, which allows tryptophan to enter the brain, inducing fatigue and tiredness. Research shows that supplementation with branched-chain amino acids can prevent central fatigue by tightly regulating the influx of tryptophan to the brain. Supplementation before and during exercise has been proven to enhance performance.

Bodybuilding Supplement Benefits

Daily Usage

Pre- Workout

Intra-Workout

Improves Recovery

Average Usage: 2-3 Grams before pre-training. 5-8 Grams intra-workout, usually half way into workout.

Affordability: Ranges form low to medium-high, always buy pure form of BCAAs. Look for L-Form amino acids in capsule form or powdered solution. Intra-workout solutions are still rather new so look for those with minimal amounts of carbs for faster absorption into the bloodstream.

Tags: Supplements Amino Acids Muscle Builder