BCAA's

T1DCarnivoreRunner

Does anyone here take BCAA's? What do you think?

jacksonpt

I view them like a multivitamin... I'm not sure if they help or not, but they certainly aren't hurting me any. It just comes down to rationalizing the cost.

kwtilbury

jacksonpt wrote: »

I view them like a multivitamin... I'm not sure if they help or not, but they certainly aren't hurting me any. It just comes down to rationalizing the cost.

This. I buy them in bulk for dirt cheap (< $0.20/serving).

T1DCarnivoreRunner

I had read somewhere that timing is very important... that they can hurt if they are taken at the wrong time or without food. From what I've read, they should be taken with food and right before or while working out. Taking them after working out might damage muscle.

When do you take them?

jacksonpt

midwesterner85 wrote: »

I had read somewhere that timing is very important... that they can hurt if they are taken at the wrong time or without food. From what I've read, they should be taken with food and right before or while working out. Taking them after working out might damage muscle.

When do you take them?

Where did you read that? That's almost the exact opposite of everything I think I know.

I take them during my fasting window, especially when I'm training fasted. Basically, I use them to minimize muscle loss due to training without calories.

kwtilbury

midwesterner85 wrote: »

I had read somewhere that timing is very important... that they can hurt if they are taken at the wrong time or without food. From what I've read, they should be taken with food and right before or while working out. Taking them after working out might damage muscle.

When do you take them?

It's actually the opposite. Proponents of BCAAs say they promote protein synthesis and should be taken intra/post workout. In fact, many people use them when training in a fasted state to prevent catabolism.

eatgoodeat

jacksonpt wrote: »

midwesterner85 wrote: »

I had read somewhere that timing is very important... that they can hurt if they are taken at the wrong time or without food. From what I've read, they should be taken with food and right before or while working out. Taking them after working out might damage muscle.

When do you take them?

Where did you read that? That's almost the exact opposite of everything I think I know.

I take them during my fasting window, especially when I'm training fasted. Basically, I use them to minimize muscle loss due to training without calories.

you beat me on the post

jpaulie

I take them. Usually during AM fasted cardio and during lifting. I take them without food because I don't lift on a full stomach which is usually 1 1/2-2 hours after a major meal. However I eat right after lifting. Certainly not hurting me any. Would like to find $.20/serving...

kwtilbury

jpaulie wrote: »

I take them. Usually during AM fasted cardio and during lifting. I take them without food because I don't lift on a full stomach which is usually 1 1/2-2 hours after a major meal. However I eat right after lifting. Certainly not hurting me any. Would like to find $.20/serving...

Look here.

XavierNusum

All I use is a stimulant free preworkout and BCAA's. They help aide recovery. I drink my peri-workout and also have a serving first thing in the morning on rest days. I have seen a difference in my own ability to recover and be ready for the next heavy workout.

AJ_G

If you're getting the majority of your protein from animal sources, you don't need BCAAs and it's not worth the cost honestly.

shor0814

I take them intra and post workout and I also drink them during the day as my flavored water. I can't say for sure how well they work but it becomes partially a routine with no reason to change now.