Whats all the hype surrounding BCAA’s about?

Whats all the hype surrounding BCAA’s about?

BCAA’s. I am sure you heard of them or read it on the side of your protein tub, or heard of a guy taking a handful of capsules saying they “They are just BCAA’s” But what are they?

What are BCAA’s?

BCAA’s are branched chain amino acids, more specifically they are:

1. Isoleucine
2. Leucine
3. Valine

They are essential in the protein synthesis and muscle building process, however, unlike essential amino acids, these cannot be derived naturally within the body, meaning that the only way our bodies can get hold of them is through diet…and specific supplementation. There are a total of 9 essential amino acids, but when looking at the specific ones most beneficial for the previously mentioned process, the BCAA’s represent a total of 35% of those needed.

 

What do BCAA’s do?

Well we mentioned earlier that they are used in protein synthesis and muscle building processes within the cell. They are also metabolised by the body to provide energy during aerobic exercise. Their mode of action has an anti-catabolic effect on the muscles too, meaning that it will reduce the amount of muscle breakdown when not training. BCAA’s also help in preserving the muscle glycogen stores which is really important to help stimulate muscle growth. It’s also been linked with improving the immune system and endurance levels due to being easier to metabolise during aerobic exercise. BCAA’s finally support the recovery process helping reduce the post-workout soreness.

 

What are the sources of BCAA’s?

A lot of the dairy products and red meats contain high levels of BCAA’s. Also whey protein contains high levels of BCAA’s, more than what meat on its own would provide.

 

How do BCAA’s work?

“In skeletal muscles and the heart, BCAA supplementation alone, has the same benefits of stimulating protein synthesis and reducing muscle breakdown, as is the case when the supply of all amino acids is increased (May and Buse, 1989).  BCAAs supplementation has been demonstrated to preserve and even increase muscle size under extreme physical conditions where there would normally be a net loss of muscle tissue (Schena et al., 1992; Bigard et al., 1996).  Research looking at the effect of BCAA supplementation during prolonged skiing at altitude, found that the consumption of BCAAs helped to prevent a loss of body mass (Bigard et al., 1996). Research has also demonstrated a positive effect on immune function with BCAAs supplementation (Bassit et al., 2000; Bassit et al., 2002).

During aerobic exercise, or any prolonged exercise session, BCAAs can be oxidized within the mitochondria of skeletal muscles to produce aerobic energy – the six other essential amino acids are mainly catabolized within the liver (Shimomura et al., 2004).  It is well known that during aerobic exercise – endurance exercise in particular – the level of BCAAs metabolised to produce energy increases significantly (Rennie, 1996; Kobayashi et al., 1999).  Therefore, during any prolonged period of exercise, a significant amount of BCAAs, may be metabolised and may lead to a depletion of BCAAs within muscles.

It should also be noted that Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin B6 all have positive effects on mood and may help to alleviate the low feeling sometimes experienced during heavy training.

Research looking at the effect of BCAA supplementation has found that taking 77mg of BCAAs, per kg of bodyweight, before exercise results in a significant reduction in the amount of muscle breakdown (MacLean et al., 1994).  So to reduce muscle breakdown during exercise a 70kg athlete would consume around 5g of BCAAs.  It has also been demonstrated that the consumption of BCAAs before and after exercise reduces the levels of serum creatine kinase activity – which indicates reduced levels of muscle breakdown (Coombes and McNaughton, 2000; Nosaka, 2003).  BCAA supplementation before and after exercise also appears to increase the recovery rate from exercise, as indicated by a reduction in muscle soreness following exercise (Nosaka, 2003).  Therefore, BCAA supplementation, before and after exercise, appears to be beneficial for reducing the level of exercise-induces muscle damage and for increasing muscle protein synthesis (muscle building) and enhancing the recovery process following exercise.

A further benefit, is the positive effects that BCAAs supplementation appears to have on endurance performance.   BCAAs compete with the amino acid trytophan for uptake into the brain.  During prolonged exercise BCAAs are used for fuel and this leads to a decreased level of BCAAs in the blood.  The decreased levels of BCAAs in the blood means there is a greater ratio of tryptophan uptake into the brain.  High levels of tryptophan in the brain, are associated with increased feelings of tiredness and fatigue, and hence, reduced exercise performance.  Supplementation with BCAAs during exercise keeps the levels of BCAAs elevated in the blood and helps to delay the build up of tryptophan in the brain.  Research suggests that supplementing with BCAAs during exercise may have a positive effect on exercise performance by reducing fatigue (Blomstrand et al., 1991).”13

How much BCAA’s should you take?

Put easily you should be taking BCAA’s twice a day.

1. 30 minutes before working out
2. 30 minutes after working out

On none training days then:

1. First thing in the morning
2. Last thing at night before you go to bed

You should be taking 3-5 grams for each serving. Personally I stick 4 grams, ensuring I get them in the ratio of 2:1:1

References

1- Bassit, R. A., Sawada, L. A., Bacurau, R. F. P., Navarro, F. and Costa Rosa, L. F. B. P. (2000) The effect of BCAA supplementation upon the immune system of triathletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 32, 1214-1219.

2- Bassit, R. A., Sawada, L. A., Bacurau, R. F., Navarro, F., Martins, E. Jr, Santos, R. V., Caperuto, E. C., Rogeri, P. and Costa Rosa, L. F. (2002) Branched-chain amino acid supplementation and the immune response of long-distance athletes. Nutrition. 18 (5), 376-379.

3- Bigard, A. X., Lavier, P., Ulmann, L., Legrand, H., Douce, P. and Guezennec, C. Y. (1996) Branched-chain amino acid supplementation during repeated prolonged skiing exercises at altitude. Int J Sport Nutr. 6 (3), 295-306.

4- Blomstrand, E., Hassmen, P. and Ekblom, B. (1991) Administration of branched-chain amino acids during sustained exercise-effects on performance and on plasma concentration of some amino acids. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 63, 83-88.

5- Coombes, J. S. and McNaughton, L. R. (2000) Effects of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase after prolonged exercise. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 40, 240-246.

6- Kobayashi, r. shimomura, Y., Murakami, T., Nakai, N., Otsuka, M., Arakawa, N., Shimizu, K. and Harris, R. A. (1999) Hepatic branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex in female rats: activation by exercise and starvation. J Nutr Sci. Vitaminol. 45, 303-309.

7- May, M. E. and Buse, M. G. (1989) Effects of branched chain amino acids on protein turnover. Diab Metab Rev. 5 (3), 227-245.

8- MacLean, D. A., Graham, T. E. and Saltin, B. (1994) Branched-chain amino acids augment ammonia metabolism while attenuating protein breakdown during exercise. Am J Physiol. 267, E1010-E1022.

9- Nosaka, K. (2003) Muscle soreness and amino acids. Training J. 289, 24-28.

10- Rennie, M. J. (1996) Influence of exercise on protein and amino acid metabolism. In: Handbook of Physiology, Sect 12: Exercise: Regulation and Integration of Multiple Systems (Rowell, L. B. & Shepherd, J. T., eds), Chapter 22. 995-1035. American Physiological Society, Bethesda, MD.

11- Schena, F., Guerrini, F. and Tregnaghi, P. (1992) Branched-chain amino acid supplementation during trekking at altitude. The effects on loss of body mass, body composition, and muscle power. European Journal of Applied physiology. 65, 394-398.

12- Shimomura, Y., Murakami, T., Nakai, N., Nagasaki, M. and Harris, R. A. (2004) Exercise Promotes BCAA Catabolism: Effects of BCAA Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle during Exercise. J Nutr. 134, 1583S-1587S.

13- http://www.nutritionalreviews.org/branched-chain-amino-acids. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs). Accessed 03/02/2012.