BCAA (BCAA). How to take in powder, tablets, capsules, what is it, rating of the best

As you know, BCAAs are a complex of 3 amino acids that are predominant in muscles. They enter the body from the normal diet. To figure out when to take additional source of BCAA, for example, in powder, you need to understand their basic properties.

Characteristic

BCAA refers to essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own, therefore, they must be obtained from the outside.

The main functions of BCAA amino acids include:

• anti-catabolic - protection of muscle mass from destruction;
• energy function - they give energy to the muscles, thereby increasing the body's endurance;
• construction, because BCAA - this is the main building material for muscles, therefore, muscle gain is activated.

By taking an all-in-one supplement, you can increase lean muscle mass, increase strength and prevent muscle breakdown.

These substances trigger the processes of anabolism in the body, because 35% of all amino acids in the body are BCAAs. However, synthesis requires the entire spectrum of amino acids from protein, both from the normal diet and additional supplementation. Whole body proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, although there are many proteins themselves. They are conventionally divided into replaceable and irreplaceable.

BCAAs contain 3 amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine, with a branched aliphatic side chain. It is the complex of these amino acids that has a significant evidence base on the appropriateness of their use and noticeable results from their use in sports.

Efficiency

The process of assimilating amino acids occurs as follows: when a person eats, for example, cottage cheese or chicken, then these products must be digested in order to assimilate proteins. The digestion of proteins consists in the splitting of protein chains into their constituent parts - amino acids, after which they are absorbed, enter the bloodstream, and then into the cells of the whole organism.

Proteins can be synthesized again from these components inside cells. Therefore, having all the amino acids, the body can again synthesize the proteins it needs, reassembling the chain, and these will already be the proteins of the body itself, and not chicken or cottage cheese.

BCAAs should be taken in powder or tablets just in order to bypass the stage of breaking down proteins into amino acids, and also to increase their amount. Consequently, they enter the bloodstream and perform their functions much faster than after taking protein foods.

Modern products containing protein blends also contain some BCAA. The difference is that these components work at rest, during the body's recovery between workouts.

Benefit and harm

The safety of BCAAs has been proven in numerous studies. However, before you start taking any sports nutrition, you need to understand that this implies, first of all, a contribution to sports results. After all, a high-protein diet is not useful for an ordinary person and is aimed only at meeting the increased needs of the body of a person involved in heavy sports.

As for the beneficial properties of BCAAs, they are due to their main function, namely, to block protein breakdown.That is, the essence of BCAA is to supplement the diet with those amino acids, which most often may not be enough to build full-fledged cells.

However, with an unbalanced diet and lack of regular physical activity, if there is a huge amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine in the blood, and the remaining 17 amino acids are not enough to build muscle cells, then BCAA will not bring any benefit.

Therefore, the effectiveness of this supplement can only be talked about against the background of competent training and proper, balanced nutrition.

Possible negative actions

The likelihood of side effects while taking BCAA is negligible. Since this is a natural product, the only thing that can happen if the dosage is significantly exceeded is digestive upset and a mild allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash.

BCAA are the same amino acids that are found in all foods that are common to all foods, therefore, if a person has no reason to refuse food, then taking an additional source of amino acids in the form of supplements is not contraindicated. The main condition is to strictly observe the individual dosage and not replace them with full-fledged meals.

Application rules

There are many opinions on the best way to drink BCAAs, from adequate to completely nonsensical. In fact, they are most effective to drink during exercise. It is during this period that the body needs additional resources. They are instantly included in the work, do not allow the muscles to collapse and are used as an additional source of energy.

Amino acids are absorbed in minutes, do not carry heavy weight and do not require long-term absorption, for example, as a protein that should not be drunk during training.

BCAAs should be taken in powder after being dissolved in water. The optimal effective dose is 5 g. If taken in tablets or capsules, they should be drunk half before training, and half after. But directly during it is not excluded, although not very convenient.

They can be taken in the morning, right after waking up. There are many who start a full breakfast only after 3-4 hours. And the maximum that their body receives in the morning is a cup of coffee or a sandwich eaten in a hurry, although breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And having received a dose of BCAA in the morning, you can provide yourself with protection and a little breath of vitality.

Taking small portions of BCAAs throughout the day is great for those who are drying out or trying to maintain lean muscle mass. In this case, the body does not starve, and the process of protein synthesis is constantly maintained.

BCAAs are also popular among those trying to overcome their sugar cravings in a variety of flavors. Almost all of them are sugar and carbohydrate-free, so some amino acids in water-soluble powders are great substitutes for sugar-sweetened drinks.

Reduce weight

In the event that a person who wants to lose weight adheres to a deficiency in calorie intake and proper nutrition, but does not play sports, then an additional source of BCAA is not particularly needed. Regular food will be enough to replenish the protein supply.

But with increased physical activity during the period of weight loss, an additional source of amino acids will be needed. After all, the regulatory function of BCAAs can help in the process of fat burning.

There is such a complex hormone as leptin, which regulates the rate of metabolic processes, and its concentration is directly proportional to the amount of fat in the human body. If the amount of fat decreases, then, accordingly, the concentration of leptin decreases, as a result of which metabolic processes in the body slow down in order to preserve fat reserves. As a result, drying becomes more difficult.

Leucine, in turn, allows you to increase the secretion of leptin, as a result of which metabolic processes are accelerated, the body ceases to save fat and uses it as fuel.

Increase muscles

1/3 of a person's muscles are made up of BCAAs, and during training in the gym, up to 25% of the energy for muscle work is also spent from them.Hence, a deficit arises. In order to eliminate this deficiency, the body begins to destroy muscle proteins, and to prevent this process, it is just necessary to take amino acids during exercise.

If you take BCAA after the end of physical activity, muscle tissue is more likely to recover, that is, the process of building new muscle fibers starts. But it should be understood that the result in the form of an increase in muscle mass, strength indicators and muscle relief can be observed only after several months of taking the supplement.

For those who find it difficult to gain muscle mass, it is recommended to consume an additional serving of BCAAs in the morning, immediately after waking up, because it is at this time that the peak of catabolic processes associated with the production of the hormone cortisol is observed.

As a source of glutamine synthesis

Glutamine is often added to the BCAA complex. It is also an amino acid derived from protein. There is a lot of it in the body: 60% of muscles are made of it, which explains the popularity of the supplement in sports.

Glutamine, in turn, is involved in muscle repair. It is for this purpose that it is often drunk after training. In addition, growth hormone is formed from it, which is no less important for many athletes. With age, the production of this hormone decreases, the body ages, wounds and injuries heal worse.

In addition, glutamine serves as a muscle protector. During training, when there is not enough strength and energy, this substance will be used as fuel. With insufficient or poor nutrition, glutamine will perfectly support the body, which will prevent it from eating its own muscles.

A sufficient amount of glutamine keeps the immune system in good shape. It is a universal substance that is involved in almost all body processes. But not everyone knows that BCAAs are able to synthesize it in muscles, therefore, there is no need to take additional glutamine in the form of supplements.

Ranking of the best amino acids

The most important secret when choosing any sports nutrition is not to pay attention to its front side, where the manufacturer often writes bright, catchy words such as GOLD, PREMIUM or MEGA. All important information is always written on the back of the package, along with the nutritional value. The ingredients are written in order from highest to lowest.

In their original form, all additives are powder. And the form of a substance is just a method of delivery: how they get into the body and where they are absorbed.

In tablets

BCAA tablets are just a compressed powder. The disadvantage of tablets is that special food adhesives are used for their manufacture, which is a kind of ballast, albeit harmless to health.

After taking the pill, it slowly descends into the stomach, may adhere to the wall of the esophagus, and will slowly exfoliate and therefore be absorbed. Their advantage is that they are more convenient to take and carry with you, for example, by putting the desired portion in your pocket, which is much more difficult to do with powder.

Most Popular Amino Acids Tablets:

In capsules

The design of the capsule is as follows: the powder is placed in a gelatin capsule, a special shell of which protects it from the acidic environment of the stomach, and begins to dissolve only in the alkaline medium of the small intestine. In other words, in such "armor" the powder will not be lost anywhere until it reaches its destination, where it is absorbed. As for the disadvantage, this is the highest cost.

Most popular amino acids in capsules:

In liquid form

Most ready-made drinks are very low in amino acids, 90% water and have a short shelf life.

The following brands are found in liquid BCAA form:

Powdered

BCAA powder is just as effective. In liquid form, any food additive is absorbed well, so the powder must first be dissolved in water. After the resulting mixture is drunk, it very quickly passes through the esophagus to the site of absorption.

The advantage of this form is convenience, because BCAAs can be consumed during training. It is also the most profitable option.

The most popular BCAA powders include:

Instructions

On many packages, the manufacturer may indicate that there are 500 mg of a substance per serving and state that 1 can contains 200 servings. But in fact, such a portion will be scanty, since a full intake of BCAA is from 5 g.

Therefore, if you choose a dosage according to which 1 capsule contains 500 mg, you will have to drink 10 of them at a time. But do not be intimidated and associate the supplement with pharmaceutical preparations, since this is food, not medicine.

You can take BCAAs post-workout while you are gaining muscle mass with creatine and a couple of tablespoons of sugar. Since the most readily available BCAA form is powder, you can mix these ingredients in the same container.

Some people add 1 more serving of BCAAs to their protein serving. You don't need to do this. From whey protein, the body receives the required amount along with other amino acids during digestion.

And by adding an extra portion, their main advantage is lost, namely, quick absorption. Therefore, mixed BCAA with protein will be absorbed by the body for at least 20-30 minutes.

In each case, the dosage must be selected individually. Since a person receives a certain amount of amino acids from food, it is very difficult to say exactly how much of them is needed at a particular moment.

But in order to completely fill the need for them and immediately throw a large amount into the blood, 4-8 g before training and the same amount after, will guarantee the body's need for these substances.

It is recommended to take BCAA 3-4 times a day in total. The daily dose of exercising athletes can reach 40 g or more. The duration of the intake of these amino acids is not limited.

It should be understood that BCAAs are not a panacea or magic pill or powder. This is just an aid. For good progress, you need to exercise properly and eat well. It is only in addition to these conditions that sports nutrition supplements can be taken.

Author: Nadezhda Ukrayova

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