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🥗 Nutrition
What is BCAA and Why Is It Part of the Amino Acid supplements ?
We often hear about health supplements at specialty sports stores, and some of them might seem odd or you haven't ever heard about. One of these that you probably heard about is the BCAA supplement. The BCAAs are essential for many athletes. They offer numerous benefits beyond supporting the body, like helping reduce exercise-induced pain from activities like weightlifting and intense sports. This article explores its benefits and the best times to consume it.
BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) Overview
BCAAs are commonly found in protein-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and legumes. They are also very popular as nutritional supplements among athletes and bodybuilders to support muscle recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and improve exercise performance. They are essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, so they must be obtained through one diet focusing on protein intake, such as Keto and other similar diets. The supplement contains amino acids that play an important role in protein absorption, which are:
- Leucine: Leucine, in turn, is known to help absorb protein into the muscles and contribute to their growth, which makes it one of the good options for bodybuilders.
- Isoleucine: Helps regulate energy and glucose metabolism during exercise.
- Valine: Helps strengthen muscles and repair tissues.
Explore the Keto Diet if you're interested in learning more.
Check out Calo's guide on the carnivore diet.
Amino Acids Benefits
It is important to note that although a amino acid supplements can be beneficial, their effectiveness may vary depending on individual factors such as diet, exercise routine, and overall health. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new supplement regimen. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts widely use BCAA because it carries many benefits, including:
Enhancing Muscle Growth and Repair
BCAA, especially leucine, stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is critical for muscle growth and repair after exercise.
Alleviating Muscle Pain
It may help reduce muscle pain and fatigue during and after exercise, allowing for faster recovery.
Improving Exercise Performance
By reducing the breakdown of muscle proteins during prolonged exercise, BCAA can improve endurance and performance.
Preventing Muscle Weakness
It can help maintain lean muscle mass, especially during periods of calorie restriction and intense training.
Energy Production
Isoleucine and valine can be converted into glucose and used as an energy source during exercise, which helps maintain endurance.
Helping to Lose Body Fat
Some research indicates that the supplement may aid in weight loss by reducing appetite and promoting fat oxidation.
Enhance Mental Focus
BCAA may play a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which may lead to improved mental focus and reduced fatigue during exercise.
Healthy Meal Delivery Service
Following a healthy diet and knowing the body's need for nutritional supplements is important. Therefore, at Calo, we offer a healthy meal delivery service to help you continue following your healthy diet even on busy days when you may not have time to prepare meals yourself. You can download the Calo application on Android or iPhone and enjoy trying one of our delicious meals or choose a monthly subscription.
FAQ
When should you take BCAA?
The supplement can be taken during training or after completing exercises, and it can also be taken before exercise to increase the feeling of energy.
Are BCAAs safe and what are the side effects of BCAA?
Some individuals experience side effects, including dizziness, and if taken in large doses, it can also negatively affect the kidneys. These symptoms usually occur when taking the supplement for more than six months. Therefore, we always recommend consulting a doctor before taking any nutritional supplements and following up to ensure that your body condition is compatible with these supplements.
What is the acceptable daily dosage for this supplement?
Taking reasonable amounts of BCAA supplements daily, ranging from 5-10 grams, is recommended. The dose can be increased to 20 grams depending on the intensity of the exercises you practice, but you should avoid increasing this amount and take it with caution.
Whether you like strength training, Yoga, or Pilates, a BCAA supplement can help your body stay consistent, feel more energized, and have less muscle pain. If you liked this article and would like to read more about health, we are happy for you to visit Calo’s blog. It will help you maintain your health regimen and give you many tips about general health.