Building Muscle & Branched-Chain Amino Acids

What do most people neglect when it comes to building muscle? Sports nutrition. And we’re not just talking about protein powders - it’s all about putting the right nutrients in your body at the right time! In this instance, we're talking about branched-chain amino acids. (BCAAs).

BCAAs Help With Muscle Growth

When doing strength training, muscle protein breakdown occurs. Your body responds by making the muscles stronger, but to do so it
requires the correct amount and type of amino acids - the building blocks of protein - from the bloodstream.

BCAAs, unlike other amino acids, are broken down in the muscle, and not in the liver. This makes them a much more readily available source for protein synthesis, which is the process of creating muscle.

These unique amino acids also act as markers of the initiation of protein synthesis, thus activating enzymes responsible for building muscle.

BCAAs Help to Support Muscle Recovery

It’s not uncommon to feel sore a couple of days after a workout, especially if you’re training harder than you normally do or your exercise routine is new. As muscles become familiar with a specific stress, they adapt and react accordingly.

In the meantime, BCAAs can help with the initial uncomfortable sensation in two ways:

1. By lowering blood levels of two enzymes involved in muscle damage: creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase
2. By increasing protein synthesis. As we mentioned above, protein synthesis helps preserve the tissue during intense training. Thus, BCAAs help preserve the integrity of muscle fibres for less post-training pain

BCAAs Contribute to a Reduction in Exercise Fatigue

BCAAs are beneficial for anyone involved in strength-training or prolonged exercise. Whether you’re just getting started on a fitness journey or have been in it for the long run, keep in mind that sports nutrition is the key to get the most out of your workout.

Related Products

Herbalife24 BCAAs (Click image for more).