BCAAs and protein totals

quiksylver296
quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
So, if BCAAs are supposed to be used to supplement your protein macro totals, why do the entries not show any protein in the nutritional info?

If I use a scoop of Xtend BCAAs once a day, how much protein does that equal?

I'm just curious really. The things you ponder during your commute... :D

Replies

  • denato1
    denato1 Posts: 54 Member
    None, because nutritionally it's not traditional protein. It is the amino acids that make up protein. I use it mid morning and during my night lifting sessions just to help prevent my body from going after the muscle since I still am in a decent deficet calorie wise.
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    My BCAAs show protein both on the label and their MFP entry...

    I think you just add it up.
    Random Xtend BCAAs for sale online say...
    3500mg of Leucine = 3.5g
    1000mg of Citrulline Malate = 1g
    2500mg of L-Glutamine = 2.5g

    So 7g total, right?
  • 1reason2live4
    1reason2live4 Posts: 13 Member
    For what its worth: http://www.livestrong.com/article/425336-9-essential-amino-acids-in-soybeans/
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    Don't know the answer but in4 some science.
  • soccer121998
    soccer121998 Posts: 6 Member
    Actually, you cant just add up the grams of individual amino acids. The way that amino acid supplements work is they help build protein if you are lacking certain aminos. However, if you are deficient in a single essential amino, you won't be able to build proteins, and some BCAA's don't contain all aminos. It's important to remember that AA's are not actually protein, just the building blocks for it!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited May 2017
    So if BCAAs don't contain all aminos, and you have to have all the aminos to build muscles, and BCAAs do not directly equal protein macros, then BCAAs do what, exactly? Other than make my water taste good?
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    edited May 2017
    interested to know as well.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    So if BCAAs don't contain all aminos, and you have to have all the aminos to build muscles, and BCAAs do not directly equal protein macros, then BCAAs do what, exactly? Other than make my water taste good?

    They're low calorie, almost protein.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    I've always looked at them like -

    BCAAs:protein as multivitamin:food
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited May 2017
    Went to examine.com.

    https://examine.com/supplements/branched-chain-amino-acids/

    "Supplementing BCAAs prevents a serum decline in BCAAs, which occurs during exercise. A serum decline would normally cause a tryptophan influx into the brain, followed by serotonin production, which causes fatigue."

    So, it could help me not get tired during workouts.

    ETA: Reading further, it may only work for people newer to working out.
  • soccer121998
    soccer121998 Posts: 6 Member
    They are simply a supplement to make sure you are getting all the essential building blocks for protein.
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