Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum

colossus · #1 06-05-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

BCAA's are a staple in my diet!
As their name suggests, BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids, are amino acids with a branched side chain. The side chain makes the job of the enzymes in muscle cells, converting amino acids into energy during intensive exertion, easier. That's why your muscle cells are happy to convert BCAAs into energy during an intensive training session, and that's why athletes are fond of BCAA supplements. The more BCAAs you have in your muscles, the slower your muscle cells break down muscle fibre. The anabolic stimulus from your training remains the same, but you experience less muscle breakdown, so you build up more muscle mass. BCAAs have other effects too. Leucine is an anabolic stimulant for muscle cells, leucine and isoleucine stimulate fat burning in muscle cells, and isoleucine boosts the muscle cells' glucose uptake.

this^

Kevsworld · #2 06-05-2012, 09:01 PM

The are extremely helpful for fasting or fasted training. They don't make any real difference in virtually any other scenario--you get all the aminos you need from diet/protein (assuming you are eating the right way).