Overview :

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) decrease muscle protein degradation during exercise and help athletes to train intensively for longer periods of time. There is overwhelming clinical evidence that BCCAs aid recovery and can help athletes revive after intense exercise. BCCAs are oxidized by skeletal muscles; the molecular carbon is used as fuel and the nitrogen is used to construct new amino acid molecules. Amino acids are delivered to the liver and turn into glucose for energy.

Exercise is considered a metabolic stress like trauma or injury. During exercise, muscle tissue is progressively catabolized to provide adequate precursors for glucose formation (gluconeogenesis). Therefore BCCAs are extremely beneficial as a dietary supplement for athletes to aid recovery.

BCCAs also delay fatigue. Many athletic groups experience fatigue in intense events that will last longer than one hour. It has been shown that consumption of BCCAs may delay fatigue during prolonged aerobic exercise by postponing central fatigue.

• Finally, several published studies of BCAA supplementation to runners, cross-country skiers and soccer players have shown positive effects on overall performance.
• Human clinical trials confirm that Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) can delay fatigue and stimulate muscle protein recovery. BCAA supplementation may also improve overall performance in athletes.