You know that BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids) promote muscle growth, recovery and performance, but do you really know how to use BCAAs to maximize your results?
This article explains how and when to use BCAAs to take advantage of all the proven benefits to this powerhouse supplement.
When to Take BCAAs
During Your Workout
- Why: Energy, Recovery and Hydration (sometimes)
- How: Start sipping BCAAs 15 minutes prior to working out with the goal to finish about halfway through your routine
BCAAs are special because they bypass the liver and go straight to muscles where they can be used as fuel to help you perform better and recover faster. If you choose to drink your BCAAs, and we recommend that you do, you’ll benefit from the water used to mix them. We also recommend choosing a BCAA supplement that includes added electrolytes to further boost hydration during your most strenuous workouts.
Between Meals
- Why: Increase Muscle Protein Synthesis between meals
- How: About 2 hours after your last meal
Muscle protein synthesis spikes after a meal, but it subsides around 2 hours later. After Muscle Protein Synthesis subsides there is a large amount of amino acids left unutilized. Supplementing with BCAAs during this time may once again increase muscle protein synthesis utilizing the remaining amino acids from your previous meal.
With Less Than Ideal Meals
- Why: Boost the content of a meal that doesn’t provide enough protein or leucine
- How: Sip throughout your meal
A meal must contain enough protein (~ 30g) and leucine (~3g) to maximize muscle protein synthesis. Even with the strictest meal prep it’s hard to keep up with life and eat to support your goals 100% of the time. If you’re facing a meal that you know won’t maximize muscle protein synthesis, consider supplementing with BCAAs while you eat to gain the full benefit.
How to get your BCAAs
Each serving of Modern BCAA provides 15 grams of Amino Acids, 8:1:1 Ratio BCAA Aminos and a 654 mg Electrolyte Blend with Zero Artificial Colors and No Sugar.