Benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s)

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are 20 different amino acids that make up a protein. Your body can produce 11 of these amino acids, the other 9 are essential nutrients that the body obtains from protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat and dairy or through supplementation. When your glycogen stores run low, your body relies on the three key essential amino acids called Branched Chain Amino Acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) for fuel.  Branched-chain amino acids are used for many reasons including weight loss and are often taken by athletes to improve performance, prevent fatigue, improve concentration, and reduce muscle breakdown during intense workouts.

There are many benefits to taking BCAA’s.  One advantage is increased muscle growth. Exercising creates tiny tears in our muscle fibers. These tears are the result of muscle protein breakdown. In order to prevent muscle loss, we need to provide our muscles with protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which is the process of building muscle mass. BCAAs help us build muscle mass. For beginning Phase 1 dieters, having 1 packet daily for the first week or two, can help reduce muscle lost during gluconeogenesis which happens at the beginning of the IP method.

Another amazing benefit is decreased muscle soreness after workouts. As explained above, branched-chain amino acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis; which also means it can help speed up both repair and recovery, resulting in less pain after your workouts.

You may also experience less fatigue during or after your workouts thanks to BCAAs.  During exercise, serotonin levels rise and can make you feel more tired. BCAA supplementation can lower serotonin and consequently delay the onset of fatigue. If taken an hour or two before your workout, you may find you are able to work out harder, longer, and you may even feel less tired after.

The ideal protein Branched-Chain Amino Acid formula we provide at OSR Weight Management is very different from other BCAA supplements.  It was specifically formulated for use, both during the weight loss phases of the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method and for maintenance, when increasing activity levels and building muscle. The Ideal Protein BCAA’s are sold in powder form and come in a refreshing fruit punch flavor. You can take it before, during, and/or after your workout.

BCAAs can make your gym workouts more effective. As mentioned above, you can get these amino acids from foods, but dietary BCAAs won’t hit your blood plasma as fast as BCAA supplements. Add a BCAA supplement to your routine and enjoy the many benefits!

Sources:  Ideal Protein/www.bodybuilding.com

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