Branched Chain Amino Acids

Of the eight essential amino acids, the three branch chain amino acids, or BCAAs, may be the most important for building lean muscle mass. There is an old analogy in the bodybuilding world, that if your muscles were bricks, every third brick would be a branch chain amino acid. That is how abundant these amino acids are in muscle mass.

BCAAs are unique compared to other amino acids in that they are not metabolized through the liver; they go straight to the muscles. This rapid uptake a utilization of these amino acids promotes a very high nitrogen retention, which is what our body’s need to make muscle mass. Some of the benefits of BCAAs are:

• Extremely anti-catabolic
• Promote energy
• Increase fat loss (particularly in the abdominal region)
• Increase mental alertness
• Improved muscle density
• Gain size and strength

The BCAAs are one supplement that avid health and fitness enthusiasts should not go without. A typical dose of branch chain amino acids is anywhere from 5 grams to 25 grams, depending on bodyweight.