The importance of protein is well documented in every fitness journal or guidebook. While protein does play an important role, it is important to understand how crucial amino acids are to our body. Amino acids are often referred to as the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are created from large strings of amino acids and play a big role in various functions in the body. They are needed to build muscle, red blood cells & other molecules. The human body can make all except nine of these- isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, histidine, and valine; also known as essential amino acids (EAA). Our body fills its daily requirement for EAAs through food; eating protein-rich food and even supplementation hence become paramount.
Branched-chain amino acids or BCAAs are a special group of three essential amino acids- leucine, isoleucine & valine. Some of the benefits of BCAAs are reduced muscle fatigue, faster recovery, and a spike in muscle protein synthesis. Depleted stores of BCAAs in your body could lead to muscle loss, which is increasingly evident when the body is in a caloric deficit or during a cut-down. BCAAs can protect muscles avoiding the catabolic effects of dieting.
When training is intense, BCAAs are depleted from the muscles at a faster rate. Taking them post-workout or with a meal will reduce damage & refuel the muscles faster and keep you in an anabolic state.
Below are some ways BCAAs can help you stay swole & big.
BCAAs move through the blood to the brain & lower the production of serotonin in the rain's interior part, hence lowering mental and physical fatigue. So supplementing them during a workout will help minimize fatigue and make you last longer through your workouts.
BCAAs compete with the amino acid 'tryptophan' to enter the brain, where tryptophan gets converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin. An increase in serotonin levels means you will not be able to push as hard. Supplementing with BCAAs reduces the amount of tryptophan, passing through the blood-brain barrier; reducing the amount of serotonin produced. Eventually allowing you to make more gains.
Irrespective of all the benefits of BCAA supplements, you will come across many skeptics who say they are so over-priced and you can even get them from whey protein. No doubt, whey protein is fast digesting, it takes a few hours for all the amino acids to be broken down & absorbed in the bloodstream. Amino acids in BCAA supplements are free to form, require no digestion & get rapidly absorbed into the plasma. They can start working immediately.
Fast&Up BCAA is an instantized branched-chain amino acid supplement that delivers 5g of major essential amino acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine & L-Valine) in a 2:1:1 ratio. It is a complete recovery stack in itself as it has L-Glutamine for muscle recovery, L-Arginine for reducing muscle fatigue, L-Citrulline for vasodilation and nitric oxide (NO) boost & Taurine for energy along with a much-needed mix of electrolytes and vitamins. It has some amazing flavors to take care of your taste buds too.
Yes, you can get these amino acids from your daily foods, but dietary BCAAs will not do much as they will not hit your blood plasma levels as quickly as a BCAA supplement will. You can take it as an intra-workout drink or after your workout. You can simply sip on these BCAAs in between meals to be in an anabolic state as much as possible. If you are concerned about your gains & are on a quest for muscle growth, the BCAA supplement will be a powerful ally.
Health and Fitness
Roshan is an avid fitness enthusiast. He loves to workout. He has extensive knowledge about muscle building and cardio. His knowledge is clearly visible in his fitness blogs. Roshan has a knack for... Read More
