BCAA's - What Are Branched-Chain Amino Acids & Its Benefits?

There are 20 various amino acids that build up and make the thousands of proteins in the body of a human. Out of these 20, 9 of them are considered to be essential amino acids. These cannot be made by our body and must be or can be obtained from a diet. Of these 9 essential amino acids, 3 of them are BCAA or branched-chain amino acids.

1. Valine

2. Leucine

3. Isoleucine 

“Branched-chain” or BCAA protein refers to the chemical structure of BCAAs that are found in foods rich in proteins such as eggs, meat and dairy products. They are also a popular dietary supplement sold primarily in powder form called BCAA Powder. 

Here are some of the benefits of the BCAA Supplement, BCAA protein or BCAA powder. 

1. Increase Muscle Growth

One of the most popular uses of BCAA powder or BCAA supplement is to increase muscle growth. The leucine helps to activate a pathway in the human body that helps to stimulate synthesis of muscle proteins and aids in making of muscles. 

A study suggested that people who consumed a drink containing 5.6 grams of BCAA post their resistance workout had a 22% increase in their muscle protein synthesis as compared to the ones who consumed a placebo drink. 

With that being said, this increase in the muscle protein synthesis is around 50% lesser than what was observed in other studies where there was consumption of whey protein shake containing similar amounts of BCAA or BCAA supplements. 

Whey protein contains all the essential amino acids needed to build muscle. Therefore, while BCAAs can aid the synthesis of muscle protein, they can’t do so optimally without the help of other essential amino acids, such as those found in whey protein. 

2. Decrease Muscle Soreness

Research suggests that consumption of BCAA powder can help decrease the soreness in muscles after a workout. It is not uncommon to feel sore post a workout for a few days especially if the routine of the exercise is new. 

The soreness is termed ad delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS. It develops almost 12 to 24 hours post exercise and can last for a few days. The exact cause of DOMS is not clear but the researchers believe that it is the result of tiny tears that take place in muscles post exercise. 

BCAA supplements have shown to decrease muscle damage and reduce the length and severity of the DOMS. Several studies also state that BCAA powder decreases the protein breakdowns during the exercise and also reduces the creatine kinase levels which are an indicator of muscle damage. 

3. Reduce Exercise Fatigue

Just as BCAAs may help decrease muscle soreness from exercise, they may also help reduce exercise-induced fatigue. Everyone experiences fatigue and exhaustion from exercise at some point. How quickly you tire depends on several factors, including exercise intensity and duration, environmental conditions and your nutrition and fitness level. 

The muscles during the exercise cause blood levels to decrease in our body. When the blood levels of the BCAA decline, the EAA levels of Tryptophan in our brain increase. This is then converted to serotonin which is a brain chemical that contributes to the development of fatigue during exercising. 

4. Prevent Muscle Wasting

BCAA protein and supplements help to prevent the breakdown and wastage of muscles. These muscle proteins are constantly broken down and rebuilt. This balance which is between the muscle protein breakdown and the synthesis determines the amount of muscle protein. 

The wasting of muscle or breakdown occurs when the breakdown of protein exceeds the synthesis. The wasting of muscle is a sign of malnutrition and occurs with the chronic infections, cancer and periods of fasting and acts as a natural part of the aging process. 

In humans, BCAAs account for 35% of the essential amino acids found in muscle proteins. They account for 40% of the total amino acids required by your body. 

5. Benefit People With Liver Disease

BCAA helps to improve the health in people suffering from cirrhosis which is a chronic disease in which the liver does not function properly. It is estimated that nearly 50% of the people develop hepatic encephalopathy that is the loss of brain functioning when the liver is unable to remove the toxins from the blood. 

While sugars and antibiotics are the mainstays of the treatment, BCAA protein also benefits the people suffering from these diseases. Liver cirrhosis is also a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, for which BCAA supplements may also be useful. Several studies have shown that taking BCAA supplements may offer protection against liver cancer in people with liver cirrhosis.

As such, scientific authorities recommend these supplements as a nutritional intervention for liver disease to prevent complications. 

Foods High In BCAAs

BCAA are found in foods and protein supplements. Getting the BCAA from complete protein sources is more beneficial as they contain the EAA or essential amino acids. BCAAs are abundantly found in many foods and whole protein supplements. This makes the BCAA supplements unnecessary for the most especially if you consume enough protein in your diet already. Consuming protein-rich foods help to provide you with other important nutrients that the BCAA supplements lack. 

As a suggestion, Bigflex is a sports nutrition and nutraceuticals brand for people who are enthusiastic about the gym and live an athletic lifestyle. After a great emphasis on research, quality and quantity, their products are formulated. A lot of importance is given to world-class quality maintenance and having the most unmatched efficacy of their products. 

Plus their best part is about the fact that they also support their Make in India movement. Their BCAA helps boost muscle growth and enhances exercise performance. The powder consists of all the major 3 amino acids : leucine, isoleucine and valine. Leucine has the biggest impact on the body's capacity to build muscle protein. Isoleucine and Valine seem to be more effective in producing energy. 

You can buy Bigflex's best BCAA online at the best prices. All their products from BCAA, Whey Protein, Mass Gainer to Immunity Booster, Preworkout supplements etc. are all made with selected ingredients from India and are consumed by the people of India.

Now you can have the convenience of getting the best mass gainer at the best mass gainer price product delivered to you at your doorsteps. All their orders above ₹3000 are eligible for free delivery. 

They'll automatically cancel your order if they don't dispatch the BCAA online within 7 working days of the order placed. You also get your payment reimbursed in the same way that it was made.