Everything You Need to Know About BCAA Supplements

Some time back, Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) were only considered to be a thing for bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts, and other high-intensity athletes. Today, BCAAs have grown in popularity, and they’ve earned themselves a spot on the shelves of athletes of all levels and individuals who have a workout routine.

BCAA is a common term heard in gyms and supplement stores around the world. If you are wondering what they are, what they do, and their benefits, below is a breakdown to help you understand them.

What are BCAA Supplements

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 types; 11 are non-essential as they are manufactured by the body, while the body sources the remaining 9, which are essential, from our diet, or supplements. The body needs all the 20 amino acids to build muscles, make hormones, and ensure there are enough neurotransmitters.

Branched-chain amino acid supplements are made from three of the essential amino acids: valine, leucine, and isoleucine. These three are particularly crucial for our muscles. They have a faster effect on the body as they are directly taken up by your muscles instead of being metabolized by the liver. The BCAA supplements come in powder or tablet form. Some of the best BCAA for men include Transparent Labs BCAA, Performance Lab BCAA, and Swolverine BCAA.

How they Help Your Fitness Regimen

After hitting the gym and having a fantastic workout session, you always go home with a feel-good feeling. Unfortunately, things aren’t so smooth the next day. The glow is gone, and you wake up feeling like you’ve been battered all over. Now, BCAAs help you to achieve your fitness goals by taking all the pain and soreness away and inhibiting the breakdown of muscles. Supplementing your food with BCAAs ensures your muscle-building engine is performing at its best.

Health Benefits

According to research, BCAA supplements have benefits that apply to anyone. Whether you are into intensive weight training, or if you are new to exercising and you want to get rid of the constant muscle pains that plague you afterward, these supplements can bring positive changes to your training sessions. Here are a few.

1. Building Muscles – The BCAA Leucine has the ability to stimulate the process of making muscle. One study showed that having a drink that contains BCAAs after a rigorous workout increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis by 22%. By combining with a high protein diet, you’ll be able to increase muscle growth.

2. Limit Fatigue – BCAAs can help reduce the rate of fatigue when working out. When exercising, it’s normal to tire or exhaust regardless of how fit you are. BCAAs have an impact on the brain chemical that contributes to fatigue, therefore allowing one to improve their focus when working out.

3. Reduce DOMS – It’s common to experience soreness a day or two after a strenuous workout. This soreness is called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It develops at least 12 hours after a workout, and it can last up to three days. The aches are caused by small muscle tears, and BCAAs can help limit muscle breakdown and damage and speed up your recovery.

Side Effects

When taken as instructed, there is nothing to worry about BCAA supplements. Just ensure you buy from reliable stores and use supplements from reputable and regulated brands. Before introducing any supplement into your nutrition plan, it’s best you do your research and learn about the ingredients. This will ensure you experience no negative reactions in case you have allergies or other conditions.

Wrapping Up

Learning about BCAAs will help you understand them better and ensure you integrate them successfully into your workout and nutrition plan. These supplements have ample benefits, and when combined with a well-rounded diet, you’ll easily meet your muscle-building targets.