Bodybuilding Supplement: Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

BCAAs (branched chain amino acids)
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Categories:
Energy production, Fat Burning, Muscle Growth, Recovery.
Explanation: The BCAAs are leucine, valine, and isoleucine.  They are  
essential amino acids (supplied by diet), crucial for anticatabolic and anabolic
effects.
Bodybuilding Benefit: Studies have shown that those who take the BCAAs
may note increased body fat loss and maintenance of lean muscle mass.
Bodybuilders typically take BCAAs in capsule form, although many of the better
quality protein supplements contain large quantities of BCAAs.

Dosage: 3-6 g BCAAs per day.
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What are Branched Chain Amino Acids?
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consist of three of the essential amino
acids, specifically: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These BCAAs are
considered essential because they cannot be manufactured by the human
body (therefore are considered essential to the diet). BCAAs are found in many
animal and plant  foods and are popular dietary supplements, especially for
bodybuilders and strength training athletes.

Health Benefits
BCAAs are used as a fuel source for muscle tissue during times of stress or
trauma.  A bodybuilding workout is a time of stress when BCAAs are very
important. BCAAs are also effective in preventing catabolism (the breakdown of
muscle for energy), while encouraging protein synthesis. Due to these
attributes, BCAAs are given to victims of severe burns or serious trauma.

Branched-chain amino acids have become a very popular bodybuilding
supplement as they help minimize muscle tissue breakdown during and after
exercise, as well as assisting in keeping the muscle in an anabolic state
(anabolic is a state of growth as opposed to catabolic, which is a state of
breakdown).
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Your body needs amino acids in order to build proteins for many important
functions. Out of around 80 amino acids that exist in nature, the human body
requires 20 of them for good health and proper body function. There are
essential amino acids(which the body cannot manufacture and must get
through food), and non-essential amino acids(which the body can produce if
the diet provides insufficient amounts).

Essential and non essential amino acids

These are the 9 essential amino acids:

  1. Histidine
  2. Isoleucine
  3. Leucine
  4. Lysine
  5. Methionine
  6. Phenylalanine
  7. Threonine
  8. Tryptophan
  9. Valine

These are the 11 non-essential amino acids:

  1. Alanine
  2. Arginine
  3. Asparagine
  4. Asperatic acid
  5. Cysteine
  6. Glutamic acid
  7. Glutamine
  8. Glysine
  9. Proline
  10. Serine
  11. Tyrosine

Amino acids are a basic need for health and proper function of the human
body.  Amino acids are used to produce muscle tissue, neurotransmitters,
hormones and other fluids. Amino acids are also essential for the proper
growth maintenance and function of organs, glands, muscles, skin, hair, and
even nails.

Protein found in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy products are
considered “complete” proteins, simply because they contain all 9 of the
essential amino acids. Protein from plant sources is considered incomplete,
meaning that one or more of the essential amino acids is missing. Soybeans
are the only exception.

If the body does not have essential amino acids available from the diet when
they are needed, it will break down muscle tissue for energy. Bodybuilders and
athletes who are looking to build muscle and strength muscle must consume
complete proteins with every meal, preferably 4 to 6 meals per day to support
increased muscle production.

Recommendations on protein consumption vary based upon individual
differences and goals. A general recommendation for regular individuals is to
consume 0.4 grams of protein per pound of body weight, while athletes and
bodybuilders may need up to 1.0 – 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body
weight.
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