BCAA Supplements – Supplying Essential Amino Acids

In scientific terms, BCCAs (branched-chain amino acids that include leucine, isoleucine, and valine) promote protein metabolism, including the synthesis of albumin and glycogen. They reduce oxidative stress by inducing the activation of genes involved in anti-oxidative defenses. All of these can be had with BCCA supplements.

In laymen’s terms, BCCAs are popular in the body-building community for decades although in recent years they had become popular among the wider athletic population. These three-branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids which cannot be synthesized by the body and have to be obtained from outside sources.

Additionally, BCAA supplements are unique because the can be metabolized in skeletal muscles while the other essential amino acids are metabolized in the liver.

Performance

They have been known for their benefit performance in many ways, including the work as a stimulant for muscle synthesis via leucine. They have been also known to prevent muscle protein breakdown and reduce muscle damage.

BCCAs are also known to have the potential of acting as a fuel source for muscles during exercise routines, although more research on this is ongoing. Effectively, it reduces the synthesis of serotonin, the source of the fatigue feeling during strenuous fitness routines.

Supplementation

Some people have low dietary protein intake. BCCA supplementation can promote the muscle protein synthesis for them. Also, the amino acids can increase muscle growth. For novice athletes, the supplementation can also be used to prevent fatigue induced by the intense activity in body-building exercises.

The amino acid Leucine plays an important role in muscle protein synthesis. Meantime, isoleucine is the amino acid that induces glucose uptake into cells. Valine’s role in a BCAA supplement has yet to be determined further in research.

Serum decline prevention

The supplementation of BCCAs also prevents a serum decline in BCCAs which occurs during the exercise proper. A serum decline would normally cause tryptophan to flow into the brain. This would cause the production of serotonin, the main substance that causes fatigue.

This is beneficial to athletes who would want to have their muscle protein synthesis and minimize muscle protein breakdown without a substantial calorie loading.

Benefits

BCCA helps one get a more intense workout in the sense that it competes with the amino acid tryptophan in entering the brain. Tryptophan converts into serotonin. While exercising, the serotonin level is raised and makes you feel more fatigued, thus suppressing the urge to try harder.

With the reduction of the amount tryptophan in the blood-brain barrier, the BCCA effectively reduces the amount of serotonin produced. Consequently, you will then be able to try harder and longer in your exercise.

Likewise, BCCA regulates glucose that helps maintain blood sugar levels in the body. Amino acids in the body improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in healthy people.

Continuously released from the liver to the skeletal muscles, glucose helps maintain blood sugar levels. Amino acids in the body help improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in healthy people.

During workouts, BCAA supplements can immediately supply the amino acids needed in the blood sugar production, an important factor to those on calorie-restricted diets.