We’ve all been there when we first started, you’re killing it in the gym and you just want that little bit of extra help with your recovery. So what do you do? You start Googling away, scouring the web for information on recovery supplements, in hopes that some fellow gym-goer might be able to point you in the right direction. DING DING, what do you find? BCAA’s & EAA’s! So you begin to enquire, stumbling upon the likes of Tryptophan and Leucine and before you know it, you find yourself down a rabbit hole, as clueless as you were when you fell in. That’s what we’re here for; to give you a comprehensive rundown of BCAA’s & EAA’s in plain old English.
SO…WHAT ARE THEY?
Branched- Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) and Essential Amino Acids (EAA’s) are isolated forms of molecules that make up protein, which is paramount for muscle recovery and muscle growth. When you ingest protein, whether it be through a shake or a chicken breast, your body must break down the proteins into these little molecules which are absorbed through the bloodstream, stimulating those much-loved benefits. Such benefits include improved recovery, mitigating mental fatigue and overall immune system support. Think of them as the primary building blocks of protein. As we all know, the more protein we ingest, the better the results we see. There are 20 amino acids that the body primarily utilises, 11 of which the body can make on its own but 9 of which it can’t. This requires us to supplement them. As such, we refer to these amino acids as ‘essential’, as they must be derived externally. These include histidine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and the final three are leucine, isoleucine & valine, commonly known as branch chain amino acids.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
So here’s the main question that everyone looks to answer. What’s the difference between the two? Well… BCAA’S consist of 3 amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine) which are responsible for stimulating muscle contraction, thereby improving recovery. EAA’s are a more complete source of amino acid, consisting of the 9 essential amino acids. They provide a whole host of additional benefits when compared to BCAA’s, such as improving cognitive performance, combatting fatigue, supporting the immune system, aiding digestion, muscle recovery and growth. Now this brings us onto the next question…
‘WHY NOT TAKE ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS EVERY TIME?’
In most instances, EAA’s are considered the better form of supplementation, but there is a reason that BCAA’s exist in the market. There are times when taking BCAA’s over EAA’s could be preferential. If recovery is your main aim and the sole reason to start supplementing, then BCAA’s will be all that you need. Taking a 10g dosage would yield approximately 50% leucine, 25% isoleucine and 25% valine, whereas 10g of EAA’s would offer a far lesser yield due to the abundance of ingredients packed into each scoop. With all this in mind therefore, BCAA’s will fit the bill if you’re in the market for an effective recovery aid, but if you’re after an overall improvement in your training, energy output and performance then EAA’s are the way to go.
If you think you’re ready to go ahead and make one of the best decisions for your gym performance and recovery, then why not check out our wide range of BCAA’s and EAA’s here at PowerBody?
