Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)
Among the most beneficial and effective supplements in any sports nutrition program are Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) – leucine, isoleucine and valine. The combination of these three essential amino acids make up approximately 1/3 of skeletal muscle in the human body, and play an important role in protein synthesis and brain function. BCAA’s are currently used clinically to aid in the recovery of burn victims, as well as for supplementation for strength athletes. Supplementing with BCAA’s before and after a training session can increase muscle growth and recovery.
BCAA’s are considered essential amino acids because human beings cannot survive unless these amino acids are present in the diet. You must get them from complete protein foods or combinations of incomplete protein foods. High quality proteins, such as casein and whey proteins contain significant amounts of BCAA’s, or they can be found on their own in products such as Pro-BCAA.
