What are BCAAs, and what are they used for?

Asked by: Douglas Brown

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are essential, meaning they can’t be produced by your body and must be obtained from food. BCAA supplements have been shown to build muscle, decrease muscle fatigue and alleviate muscle soreness.

Do BCAA make you gain weight?

Excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may reduce lifespan, negatively impact mood and lead to weight gain, according to new Australian research on mice.

Do BCAA help you lose weight?

If you’re attempting to lose weight, BCAAs may help your body get rid of unwanted fat more effectively. Competitive wrestlers consuming a high protein, calorie-restricted diet supplemented with BCAAs lost 3.5 more pounds (1.6 kg) than those given a soy protein supplement over a 19-day study period ( 37 ).

Should I take BCAA everyday?

BCAAs taken daily can improve the immune system’s response to an intense training routine. They do this by providing a fuel source for the immune cells within our gut. Having this fuel source allows the immune system to fight off sickness more effectively.

Are BCAAs really necessary?

The only people who may benefit from BCAAs are those who do not get enough high quality protein (e.g. vegans). Outside of this, BCAA supplementation on top of a sufficient protein intake is useless.

Is BCAA Good for females?

Yes, BCAA’s are good for females and provide specific benefits for them. The best BCAA for women can help increase weight loss, reduce hunger, build muscle, balance hormones, and support healthy pregnancies.

Does BCAA have side effects?

It might cause some side effects, such as fatigue and loss of coordination. BCAAs should be used cautiously before or during activities that require motor coordination, such as driving. BCAAs might also cause stomach problems, including nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.

Is creatine or BCAA better?

Whether BCAAs or creatine is better will depend on your fitness goals, as well as your diet. If your workouts are based on endurance, BCAAs might be more beneficial for you. If your workouts are intensity or power-based, creatine may be the better choice.

Which is better whey protein or BCAA?

As a rule, BCAAs have a lower caloric content than whey protein, which makes them better if you are trying to cut weight while still maintaining muscle. They are also more readily available than whey protein is, and can help premature fatigue when training fasted.

Do BCAA speed up metabolism?

BCAA supplementation also improved energy metabolism and lowered levels of substances that indicate muscle damage, such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The researchers concluded that BCAA can improve exercise performance.

Do I need BCAA if I take protein?

BCAAs can’t help your body synthesize protein on their own. They need to be consumed with the other essential amino acids to make a complete protein. “In my opinion, BCAAs and protein are equally important,” says Hodges. If you’re interested in taking BCAAs and protein, chances are you won’t have to buy two products.

Does BCAA affect sleep?

While on the one hand, elevation of BCAAs in healthy individuals can negatively affect the sleep/wake rhythmicity and metabolic health, on the other hand, supplementation of BCAAs has been suggested as a viable therapy for treating sleep/wake disturbances in individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury [19].

Why are BCAA useless?

Takeaways: An adequate protein intake will render BCAA-supplementation as (for the most part) useless. BCAA’s aren’t as effective at promoting protein synthesis as Whey or other complete protein sources (and they’re more expensive!) BCAA’s might even be detrimental when fasted.

What happens if you take BCAAs without working out?

Without first working out, your body won’t really need those resources, and you won’t see the effects many have come to expect from BCAAs. There is, however, one possible exception to this: the energizing effects of an amino acid-based pre-workout supplement, such as the Fast Charge mix from aminoVITAL®.

Are BCAAs a gimmick?

A 2018 study found that BCAA supplementation may decrease muscle soreness after exercise, but, when consumed alongside a diet of adequate protein, the results are “likely negligible”. In a 2011 study, participants reported reduced perceived exertion but they didn’t actually improve their aerobic performance.