POP Supplements: BCAAs For Faster Recover

Hi guys,

As I started training for the competition and reading more about vitamins and supplements, I came across the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs).

I know what you think but this is a supplement but hold on, not supplements are made equal. Just hear me out. Plus, like I said before I am not for using appetite suppressants or stimulants. So I looked more into it.

Here is what they are:
BCAAs are the three essential aminos leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The combination of these three amino acids makes up approximately one third of  the skeletal muscle tissue in the your body. BCAAs play a critical role in protein synthesis — actual production of proteins in cells from amino acids to build muscle. In other words, the amino acids are the building blocks of protein.

You always hear eat protein to gain lean muscle. So here is what happens. Branched-chain amino acids are essential nutrients that the body obtains from proteins found in food, especially meat, dairy products, and legumes. So every time you eat protein rich food it goes through the digestion possess (intestines and stomach) and it is exactly at that time the protein is broken down into individual amino acids and short chains of amino acids which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Once absorbed into the bloodstream amino acids get to work and are involved in muscle repair (lean muscle building), essential brain functions and even hair growth just to name a few. And that is just scratching the surface of what they do.

There are also two types of Amino Acids:

  • Essential: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, and Valine
  • Non-Essential: Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Cystine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Hydroxyproline, Proline, Serine, and Tyrosine

So you say, ok they do all those wonderful things but what it has to do with fat loos and lean muscle tissue and working out. Here is the deal. After every workout (resistance or cardio- strength to name a few) your body is in a catabolizing or breaking down muscle tissue due to the protein synthesis deficit. To prevent that, if one takes an adequate amounts of BCAAs they facilitate increased protein production. This means more muscle tissue will be grown and muscles will be repaired faster; thus, decreasing recovery time as it increases the rate at which lean body mass is gained.

This is of courses a very condensed view. But I hope it gets the point across. Once I did research, I realized that it is something that will be worth trying out to help me with recovery. And yes, it did. I felt more energy and my endurance/stamina improved, and it was all natural. However, I did try a several brands before I found one that works for me. I also started taking them slowly, with only half of recommended dose and this is by no means meant to be an energy drink or something you sip on when you do not workout. I only use it as recommended depending on the type you buy (e.g., liquid, powder).

Right now I am taking USPlabs Modern Bcaa, White Blue Raspberry , it tastes good and gives me what I am looking for without a nasty aftertaste.

Have a great Sunday,


Esse Libere Fitness – Free To Be Fit