BodyBuilding and Branched chain amino acids

Bodybuilders have been seeking the one magic bullet that can increase muscle mass, strength and power. The BCAAs are not anabolic. However, they do increase strength and performance.

All organs in the body have BCAAs but the highest concentrations are found in the muscles. For years, it has been known that BCAAs are essential for normal body growth and these amino acids are also vital for protein synthesis. Now the athletes seem to have taken over. Every time there is any mention of protein and a pill, bodybuilders want to consume everything in mega doses.

All three BCAAs are oxidized and help to regulate insulin levels in the body. These three BCAAs do protect muscle during normal activity and in extreme conditions do act as a source of fuel. Many studies in the laboratory have shown that the BCAAs can increase exercise performance, endurance training and oxygen consumption. Others have shown that the BCAAs play an important role in repair and healing of tissues after injury or surgery.

Studies in professional athletes has shown that a diet rich in BCAAs can not only improve performance but increases strength of the muscle. While not strictly anabolic, the BCAAs can improve tolerance to extremes of stress and exercise.

BCAAs and Exercise performance

There are some case reports and also population based studies which do indicate that BCAA are effective as performance enhancing agents. Numerous studies have shown that a diet rich in any of these three BCAAs for 6 or more weeks can lead to improvement in exercise, faster build up of muscle, increased energy and speedier recovery after injury.

One has to remember that while BCAAs can improve exercise performance, the diet should also be complimented with good nutrition. Most individuals see a difference in their exercise performance after taking these Amino acids for greater than 6 weeks. To maintain the beneficial effects, the BCAAs have to be taken for a long time.

Many bodybuilders do combine BCAAs with anabolic steroids, GH and thyroxin.

While many studies do show that BCAAs can increase endurance and power, there are a few good studies which show no affect. The reason for these confounding results is unknown- some experts believe that this may be related to fake or counterfeit products.

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