What supplement should I take or should I do both?
Famof72015
Posts: 393 Member
Should I take both of these or should I just take the BCAA is that what's most important before and during a work out? I also take a 100% whey protein drink after lifting weights
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Replies
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Neither. If you get adequate protein and have whey, then BCAAs arent worth much.11
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Famof72015 wrote: »Well this is what I'm taking now, how do I know if that's enough?
You should be fine.0 -
Okay. Thanks!! Wasn't sure if I needed to take a supplement during my workout to give me more energy that's what I've been reading.0
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Famof72015 wrote: »Okay. Thanks!! Wasn't sure if I needed to take a supplement during my workout to give me more energy that's what I've been reading.
No you're good. For the most part, supplements are a waste of money.5 -
Hi,
First some health info. Protein is a great before and after workout drink.
You want more for your dollar... protein shake add cold coffee, blueberries & peanut butter... get you building materials & caffeine
After workout... 12 to 20 oz of chocolate milk... this has the perfect 2 to 1 balance that your body wants after weights & or cardio.
BCAA... branch chain amino acids. These will ONLY work if you are eating almost no carbs and working so hard you muscles have nothing to eat and fuel.
Also check you product on a site like www.ewg.org
Why, cause states like NY etc have sued GNC and others for claims of weight-loss when they really sold chalk. (60% of all items in some states)
Good luck & there is no silver bullet to getting the weight off. Hard work and consistent hard work.1 -
Famof72015 wrote: »Well this is what I'm taking now, how do I know if that's enough?
Are you logging/tracking your food on MFP? What does your daily protein intake look like? If you're getting anywhere at or above 0.6g of protein per pound of bodyweight, you're fine. As psuLemon said, BCAAs are completely unnecessary if you're already getting adequate protein. The Amino Acid blend is just more protein (protein is composed of amino acids), so again it's redundant as long as your protein intake is adequate.1 -
I'm getting between 120-130g of protein and I take this one shake a day.0
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Famof72015 wrote: »I'm getting between 120-130g of protein and I take this one shake a day.
You're getting plenty of protein. Taking the BCAAs and Amino Acids will do nothing more than produce expensive urine.
If you want more energy for your workouts, drink a cup of coffee or you can try one of the preworkout mixes (I don't like any of them at all because they make me jittery and drive my blood pressure up).2 -
Okay I'll stick with what I'm doing. I definitely don't want to feel jittery or my heart race. That was a fear of mine. Thank you!0
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I've read that BCAA can help with muscle soreness, that's why I take it. Anyone have info on that? I feel like it helps but would like to get others view and knowledge on this.1
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I've read that BCAA can help with muscle soreness, that's why I take it. Anyone have info on that? I feel like it helps but would like to get others view and knowledge on this.
I am trying to find the thread where @SideSteel posted the review from Alan Aragon, but I think it noted most of that was anecdotal. If anything, carbs and adequate protein will provide a great way to improve recovery.
ETA, found it: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/38617967#Comment_386179674 -
Thank you! I guess another question that comes up is that I usually workout first thing in the morning fasted. I do a lot of running first thing in the morning fasted, distance and speed workouts. Lifting will be later in the day after breakfast. It was mentioned to me that drinking the bcaas while running would help preserve my muscles during the running since I'm going off empty, any insight on that?
Thanks for sharing wisdom!0 -
CoachBrafford wrote: »Protein is a great before and after workout drink.
It doesn't matter when you have your protein. That said, I do take a protein supplement because it's hard to get enough otherwise when I'm cutting.
Otherwise, the only fitness-related supplement I've found to be worth taking is creatine. BCAAs do nothing for my soreness, and pre-workout has never done anything for my workouts.
The vast majority of supplements are placebos. Eat a balanced diet, get at least 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, and enjoy.
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I'd much rather spend money on FOOD than supplements. If you need protein, then eat protein. As mentioned, if you're getting enough, you DON'T need BCAA's
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Thank you! I guess another question that comes up is that I usually workout first thing in the morning fasted. I do a lot of running first thing in the morning fasted, distance and speed workouts. Lifting will be later in the day after breakfast. It was mentioned to me that drinking the bcaas while running would help preserve my muscles during the running since I'm going off empty, any insight on that?
Thanks for sharing wisdom!
Are you eating breakfast after your run? And how long are we talking?0 -
Are you eating breakfast after your run? And how long are we talking?
Yes I always eat breakfast after I run that consists of fruit or oats and some form of protein (powder or eggs usually). I'll go up to twelve or thirteen miles without taking in carbs during a run. Anything over thirteen I'll take a Gu about halfway.0 -
Then you should be ok. If you are really concerned, I would take in protein and some carbs pre workout, but since you are eating after, you should be good overall.0
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you definitely dont need the amino burner as fat burners dont work. but I agree with what everyone else said. I just use protein powder to help me get enough protein in on days I am lacking0
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Yeah most supplements are full of garbage, especially the fat burners...
I take whey, raw meal, msm, and creatine... That's all I need.0 -
BTW, if you want to look at the quality of your whey protein (or other supplements), I would highly recommend www.labdoor.com1
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BTW, if you want to look at the quality of your whey protein (or other supplements), I would highly recommend www.labdoor.com
Second this. They just recently got in their first round of protein bar tests too.
Spoiler alert: Quest and Premier came out on top, which shouldn't shock anyone.1 -
Gallowmere1984 wrote: »BTW, if you want to look at the quality of your whey protein (or other supplements), I would highly recommend www.labdoor.com
Second this. They just recently got in their first round of protein bar tests too.
Spoiler alert: Quest and Premier came out on top, which shouldn't shock anyone.
Oh snap, I gotta check that out. I signed up for the site and love it.1 -
The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.0
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jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?1 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?
The milk thistle is being taken because of the "and a few other things".
It's not doing anything, but that's why it's being taken.2 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?
The milk thistle is being taken because of the "and a few other things".
It's not doing anything, but that's why it's being taken.
It was actually recommended by my naturopath, because I am doing TRT, which is not unusual at my age. The reason for high amounts of protein is to build muscle with a malabsorption issue. Basically the more I take in the more my body absorbs while I am bulking on a 10 week cycle.0 -
jwknight67 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?
The milk thistle is being taken because of the "and a few other things".
It's not doing anything, but that's why it's being taken.
It was actually recommended by my naturopath, because I am doing TRT, which is not unusual at my age. The reason for high amounts of protein is to build muscle with a malabsorption issue. Basically the more I take in the more my body absorbs while I am bulking on a 10 week cycle.
ahh the naturopath, that explains a lot3 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?
The milk thistle is being taken because of the "and a few other things".
It's not doing anything, but that's why it's being taken.
It was actually recommended by my naturopath, because I am doing TRT, which is not unusual at my age. The reason for high amounts of protein is to build muscle with a malabsorption issue. Basically the more I take in the more my body absorbs while I am bulking on a 10 week cycle.
ahh the naturopath, that explains a lot
I trust her more than my primary care who is in bed with the pharmaceuticals. Nothing wrong with exploring natural remedies.0 -
jwknight67 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »jwknight67 wrote: »The only supplements I take are Protein (whey & beef), BCAA's, Creatine and a pre workout. Just before I train, I take a niacin which dilates the blood vessels and helps get a better pump. OH, I also take Milk Thistle because it helps protect my liver from large amounts of protein and a few other things. Some days, I add a Lenny & Larry's cookie. I still also have a ton of stuff I have not tried yet, that I got at the Olympia last September, but will be trying on and off after my competition.
if you take milk thistle to protect your liver from high amounts of protein then why consume high amounts of protein? sounds counterproductive. studies proving it protects from anything is also inconclusive-https://nccih.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm I also dont think if you are consuming large amounts of protein it will damage your liver unless you have a liver/other health issue, it may stress your kidneys. but any legit study I have read the conclusion is that high protein levels wont harm your liver unless you have a liver issue.other health issue or for some reason your body cant metabolize the protein. how much are you consuming?
The milk thistle is being taken because of the "and a few other things".
It's not doing anything, but that's why it's being taken.
It was actually recommended by my naturopath, because I am doing TRT, which is not unusual at my age. The reason for high amounts of protein is to build muscle with a malabsorption issue. Basically the more I take in the more my body absorbs while I am bulking on a 10 week cycle.
ahh the naturopath, that explains a lot
I trust her more than my primary care who is in bed with the pharmaceuticals. Nothing wrong with exploring natural remedies.
99% of the misinformed "medical" advice on here is from their naturopath.6
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