News


2013-06-21
What is BCAA's?


BRANCH CHAIN AMINO ACIDS - WHAT ARE THEY?

 

Amino Acids are comprised of Essential and Non Essential.

 

The Essential Amino Acids are those that we need for healthy tissue repair. They are called the building blocks of protein.

 

Essential Amino acids are found in animal products i.e. meat, eggs, dairy, etc.

 

Branch Chain Amino Acids are 3 of the Essential Amino Acids. They are Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine.

 

A combination of these three Amino Acids makes up approximately 1/3 of all the skeletal muscle in the body and is very important for protein synthesis (the use of protein).

 

Clinically, BCAA’s aid in the recovery of burn victims and also assist in the supplementation of strength building athletes.

 

BCAA’s affect the metabolic pathway in 3 ways:

 

1.    Insulin levels are increased by up to 221%, when BCAA’s are taken along with carbohydrates and used after resistance exercise.

 

2.    rpS6 – induced RNA translation.  It leads to the production of protein in the body.

 

3.    It results in chain elongation. I.e. Promotes protein growth e.g. muscles, tissue, skin, etc.

 

Egg White (Albumen) contains BCAA’s naturally, along with all other Essential Amino Acids and more Non Essential ones too.

 

By using protein foods that are high in Essential Amino Acids and BCAA’s, it promotes an anti catabolic state in the body. (Catabolic is when muscle tissue is broken down).

 

To ensure that your body always remains in an anabolic state (or anti catabolic) it is important to use high quality proteins that contain BCAA’s.

 

BCAA’s occur naturally in 100% Egg White Protein and Egg White takes up to 2½ hours for absorption to take place – encouraging an anti catabolic state for an extended period.

 

Daily Intake for Athletes: 5g L-Leucine, 2g L-Isoleucine, 4g L-Valine.