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In the rigorous and competitive world of bodybuilding, every advantage matters. Athletes constantly look for new ways to gain an edge over their competition, whether it’s through innovative training techniques, carefully crafted diets or supplement regimens designed for optimal performance.
One such supplement that has garnered considerable attention among fitness enthusiasts is branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), often touted as a game changer in muscle growth and recovery.
But what exactly are the benefits of BCAAs for bodybuilding? Can these supplements really deliver on the promises made by manufacturers and athletes alike? In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the science behind BCAAs and unravel their potential role in optimizing your bodybuilding journey. Let’s dive in!
Amino acids are the raw material of proteins. The combination of these three essential amino acids makes up almost a third of the skeletal muscles in the human body and plays a significant role in protein synthesis.
Essential amino acids are those that the body can not produce, which means the only way to get them is through your daily diet or supplementation.
You can have your fair share of these amino acids from natural sources, primarily from protein foods, especially animal protein, with greater BCAAs and higher bioavailability. Red meat, dairy products, and eggs are the best sources.
Benefits of BCAAs
Branched-chain amino acids are one of the most researched supplements on the market, so it’s no wonder their particular benefits on muscle mass. Protein breaks down in the body into amino acids that are bound together for different physiological functions. There is also evidence suggesting an added advantage for calorie-deficit regimens.
For the most part, amino acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis, decrease fatigue during exercise and participate in protecting the immune system, among many other functions. In the case of Branched-chain amino acids, especially Leucine helps bind amino acids and increases insulin levels which directly influences protein synthesis since Insulin is a powerful anabolic hormone. Leucine bears the brunt of the work by preserving lean muscle mass and activating
mTOR.
Recent research has found the protein mTOR(mammalian target of rapamycin) as a key factor for muscle growth and even anti-aging effects. It has been proven that any impairment or abnormality in the regulation of this protein(
Dysregulation)might cause early mortality and speed up the aging process. Activation of mTOR increases protein synthesis in muscle cells as well.
Branched-chain amino acids can serve as fuel for more intense and longer workouts and even have an after-effect for building muscle. There is also a lot of evidence pointing to the mitigation of pain and post-exercise muscle damage. Other benefits of BCAAs supplementation is increased training intensity, reduced the amount of
tryptophanwhich is an amino acid that is converted to
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that causes the perception of fatigue to rise and consequently makes your workouts less intense.
When to take BCAAs
According to recent studies, there was not a final consensus on the timing and dosages of BCAAs. Still, the possible evidence shows that BCAAs supplementation should be administered before training and during and after workouts to maintain muscle growth.
Whey protein vs. BCAAs
Skepticism on BCAAs usage is rampant since they are overpriced, and the assumption is that whey protein is a more suitable and cheaper option to get BCAAs.While most whey protein products contain vast amounts of BCAAs, their absorption is the heart of the matter.
The body handles BCAAs differently. Most amino acids are digested directly through the liver regardless of the source, either whey protein or capsules.BCAAs, in this case, are in free form, which means that rather than pass through the liver, they go straight to the muscles taking twice as much effect as their counterparts.
There is also evidence that Taking BCAAs can boost growth hormone and reduce cortisol(since BCAA act as a source of energy). Cortisol is another hormone that interferes with testosterone and causes muscle breakdown, known as catabolism. These benefits make Branched-chain amino acids supplements become a key element to gaining muscle mass or losing weight.
Conclusion
We can conclude that BCAAs are effective supplements with a lot of scientific-based evidence that supports their use and effectiveness. We also learned that their proven benefits range from anti-catabolic effects preventing the destruction of lean tissue and promoting protein synthesis to saving muscle glycogen and stimulating insulin production and energy.
They also promote fat loss in low-calorie diets; they have a vasodilatory effect as a primary source of fuel in states of depletion of carbohydrates, stimulating the emission of anabolic hormones such as growth hormone.
With that being said, our final thoughts on the use of BCAAs are based on conclusive evidence that suggests that these amazing nutrients can play a vital role in your training and, most importantly, a more prolonged benefit when it comes to muscle retention and fat loss.
