BCAA supplements

dejesus1991

Hi guys!
So I was wondering if anyone adds BCAA supplements in their diet... if so what form and brand are you guys taking.
Thanks!

Liftng4Lis

Are you coming up deficient in your protein?

trigden1991

Personally I like to have mine in powder form and drink them throughout the day & during my workouts. The myprotein flavoured ones are my preference, affordable and good taste (blue raspberry).

Carlos_421

My order of Scivation Xtend should arrive today and I'm stoked!!!

For me, BCAAs aren't about filling any nutritional deficit (I get plenty of protein already) but rather they're for initiating protein synthesis and fueling workouts.

Being already broken down into their simplest form (when taken in a capsule or powder), BCAAs are much more quickly taken up and utilized in the body than food based proteins. This makes them excellent for keeping the muscles "fed" during an extended weight lifting session which can lead to less fatigue and better results.
BCAAs are also proven to quickly initiate protein synthesis which can lead to quicker recovery when taken around workouts.

So do you need them for your diet? Nope.
However, if you are engaging in endurance exercise or extensive weight lifting, by all means give them a shot as a pre workout or intra workout.
Check reviews for taste/solubility and try to find a brand that offers at least 5g in a 2:1:1 ratio.

betuel75

I use AminoLast preworkout. Its Lucine, Isolucine, Valine and their proprietery blend of electrolites. If you getting enough protein or are not in a big calorie deficit which may result in muscle loss you probably dont need to supplement with it.

rainbowbow

I like the taste of Scivation X-Tend in watermelon and green apple. I also like the Amino-X by BSN in watermelon. Both of these are cheap and readily available at most vitamin shops and online.

The scivation i think tastes slightly better, but the amino-x is effervescent (aka once the powder is added to water it is LIGHTLY carbonated).

Good luck, OP.

vismal

BCAA's are a waste of money for about 99% of the population. If you aren't getting competition level lean, training fasted, or maybe doing extreme endurance events, you don't need them. They will do nothing more then give you a placebo effect. Bcaa's are found in protein, so if you eat protein, you are already getting them. The fact that they are already broken down is meaningless. Your body will break them down just fine. So unless you have extreme goals and are already somewhat advanced, your money is MUCH better spent elsewhere.

ythannah

I take a BCAA supplement pre-workout because I seldom hit my protein target on a consistent basis and I lift fasted, about 12 hours after my last meal. Just started a few days ago and so far it seems to benefit stamina/endurance. Possibly placebo effect, but they weren't expensive so I don't mind paying for a bit of placebo if it improves my lifting, lol.

Mine are in tablet form because a "drink" wouldn't stay in my stomach at that hour of the morning. (Can't remember the brand and I'm at work so can't check.)

williams969

vismal wrote: »

BCAA's are a waste of money for about 99% of the population. If you aren't getting competition level lean, training fasted, or maybe doing extreme endurance events, you don't need them. They will do nothing more then give you a placebo effect. Bcaa's are found in protein, so if you eat protein, you are already getting them. The fact that they are already broken down is meaningless. Your body will break them down just fine. So unless you have extreme goals and are already somewhat advanced, your money is MUCH better spent elsewhere.

^^This. I have lofty strength training/composition goals (not competitive level, just personal goals) now that I'm in maintenance. Still no BCAA's supps for me. I just eat meat and dairy (and all the plant proteins, too) for my needs.

I'm good. And so are you. (*)

blankiefinder

vismal wrote: »

BCAA's are a waste of money for about 99% of the population. If you aren't getting competition level lean, training fasted, or maybe doing extreme endurance events, you don't need them. They will do nothing more then give you a placebo effect. Bcaa's are found in protein, so if you eat protein, you are already getting them. The fact that they are already broken down is meaningless. Your body will break them down just fine. So unless you have extreme goals and are already somewhat advanced, your money is MUCH better spent elsewhere.

My competitive athlete 19 yo uses Scivation Xtend (NSF certified) in Mango Nectar flavour, and Cytosport Monster Amino (also NSF certified) in Green Apple and likes them both. He also does intense training approximately 19 hours per week. (He also uses Infinit Nutrition Repair post workout and occasionally their Jet Fuel intraworkout, but it is super expensive and again, only for competitive athletes)

Snow3y

I like to play around with my amino intake from different supplements.. So far I've tried pre-workouts, post workouts, intra-workouts and those tablets taken during the day.. It depends on preference I guess..

I like to take the one pre+intra workout, because I usually have somewhat extended workouts and intense ones at that.

WeddedBliss1992

i used to do IF and they were crucial for my diet/exercise routine. i would work-out fasted and take BCAA as i was heading out the door to the gym. i now eat breakfast, so i don't feel that i need them. i used GNC brand powder, mixed with water and drank it. HTH