Understanding Branched Chain Amino Acids

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) are essential for human life, and essential for building muscle. Every bodybuilder should have a firm grasp of what they are, how they work, and why they are required for building new muscle. Additionally, supplementation with synthesized BCAA supplements should be considered as bodybuilders enter advanced status and their presence in the body is absolutely crucial for keeping existing, as well as adding new, muscle mass.

Basics

BCAAs are required for human life. They include L-leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine as well as others. They play a key role in nitrogen retention as well as protein synthesis for brain, organ, and muscle functions. BCAAs compose 1/3 of all muscle protein. For the bodybuilder specifically, they are the anti-catabolic agent which slows protein from breaking down in the body, thereby allowing the body to add and keep muscle. They conduct this function both during intense exercise, as well as during the remainder of the day. Additionally, their ability to preserve glycogen in the muscle allows for higher energy during the workout. They are absolutely required for bodybuilding success.

Supplementation

BCAAs can be taken in liquid form or in pill form. The pills are very large and hard to swallow. The liquid form is very handy for specific delivery timing. Latest trends include consuming BCAAs during a workout in order to allow them to affect muscle tissue while it is actually most engorged with blood. This theory is relatively new and is currently being studied a great deal. It’s widely established that BCAAs are very important for muscle growth and recovery, so the hypothesis that they are even more useful when more blood is in the region to deliver them makes logical sense.

BCAAs are universally recommended for anyone who engages in weight training. They can be consumed adequately with a well-varied diet, but for advanced bodybuilders, supplementation is almost required due to the great deal of muscle being supported by these BCAAs. Recommended dose is 5 grams per serving, pre-workout and post-workout. Get your BCAAs if you want muscle at the highest level!