Branch-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are muscle builders, repairers, and chemically called skincare products that allow their bodies to use them. Some examples of BCAAs are Isoleucine, leucine, and valine are the BCAAs. There are three among the nine types of amino acids that a body cannot produce and needs to obtain via food. Therefore, many people prefer the intake of BCAA powder in their diets.
Muscle tissue metabolises most BCAAs. Almost all the amino acids are metabolised or broken down in the liver. Athletes and bodybuilders enjoy the benefits of BCAA supplements like sea moss pills, though research does not support their use in increasing muscle mass.
● Exercise With BCAAs Delays Fatigue
Exercise can be made stronger by consuming BCAA powder, which inhibits fatigue both centrally and peripherally. In prolonged exercise, BCAAs provide additional energy sources that help delay peripheral fatigue (muscle fatigue). It is still possible to use your muscles’ BCAA stores after glycogen has been used up. For example, Thanksgiving drowsiness is caused by tryptophan (the same amino acid found in turkey), a precursor to serotonin, a fatigue-causing neurotransmitter. BCAAs also block the amino acid tryptophan from reaching the brain, thus delaying central fatigue (brain fatigue).
● Taking BCAAs Can Increase Anaerobic And Aerobic Activity
For example, supplementing trained cyclists with 6 grams of BCAAs before a graded exercise test to exhaustion resulted in greater VO2max, 13% higher VO2 at lactate threshold (LT), and 6% more power output at LT, compared to placebo. Every athlete knows that even a tiny improvement in performance makes a huge difference if they want to compete on the podium. According to another study, researchers who supplemented trained cyclists with BCAA (12 g/day) experienced a 19% increase in all-out sprinting peak power and a 4% improvement in average ability relative to body mass over placebo. The studies demonstrate that BCAA supplementation enhances both aerobic and anaerobic performance.
● BCAAs Boost Immunity
Over time, intensive, high-volume training can cause fatigue, immune suppression, and overtraining, especially if an athlete fails to recover sufficiently between training sessions. However, for several weeks, the immune system responses on severe endurance training are improved by chronic (long-term) supplementation with BCAAs. How, though? Researchers have discovered that immune cells within the gut can use BCAAs as a fuel source, allowing the immune system to regenerate more efficiently and protect itself more effectively against harmful pathogens. As a result, your immune system plays a vital role in your recovery and prevents you from getting sick.
● BCAAs Preserve Muscle Leanness
The breakdown of muscle protein, particularly the breakdown of BCAA for energy, increases during exercise. Providing supplemental BCAAs reduces the body’s likelihood of using up its amino acid stores (protein). You can consider them an insurance policy for your muscles! It has been demonstrated that BCAAs can conserve muscle mass under conditions of protein breakdown and muscle wasting, such as ultramarathons and high altitude mountaineering.
The benefits of BCAAs are most incredible for athletes, individuals participating in high volume, prolonged exercise, or individuals on restrictive diets who are at risk of damaged lean tissue. In studies, supplementing with BCAA powder at doses of 4-20 grams per day is safe for adults. Long-term intake over a week or more showed more significant benefits than acute (short-term) consumption.
To increase muscle protein synthesis, try to consume 2-3 grams of leucine between meals, during workouts, or before bed. Small amounts of BCAAs taken repeatedly throughout a training program can likely delay fatigue onset and prevent muscle breakdown.
