When to take BCAA's? Im confused now :-(

Raptureboy · 11-10-2009, 10:42 AM

I just bought GNC's Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) in a capsule form, 120 softgel capsules..

Wanna ask, when is the best time to take it? should i follow the directions from the label
"AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT, TAKE THREE CAPSULES TWICE DAILY, IN THE MORNING,EVENING OR BETWEEN MEALS ON AN EMPTY STOMACH WITH FULL GLASS OF WATER"?

OR:

take it like (before and after workout)?? /how many capsules/ and with empty stomach? Hope u guys can help me up... THANKS!!

Big_Spaz · 11-10-2009, 10:44 AM

I never used capsule form (I prefer powdered BCAA's) but since you have the caps I would take them pre-workout and post workout.

And then on days I didn't train, I would split the dosage to half at morning and the other half in the evening. Timing isn't as important as off days as it is on training days, but you still want to make sure you take them (for growth and repair).

-Spaz

dyetrying91 · 11-10-2009, 10:45 AM

When cutting, take them during any period of extended fasting. Also, before, during and after cardio. BCAA's greatly decrease the rate of catabolism in skeletal muscle tissue.

Raptureboy · 11-10-2009, 10:48 AM

should i take them with an empty stomach? and when is the good time to take them for pre-workout/post workout? 30 minutes before/after?

seanpreynolds1 · 11-10-2009, 10:49 AM

i take mine with meals and after workout with shake.

skydve76 · 11-10-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptureboy

should i take them with an empty stomach? and when is the good time to take them for pre-workout/post workout? 30 minutes before/after?

Its best to take them with some fiber to give your body time to absorb them. I usually take some in the morning, and if I lift, then I I take some after my workout.

If you take too many or your body don't need them, you will expunge them. If you take them on an empty stomach, they may pass through before your body can absorb them all.

BULLandTERRIER · 11-10-2009, 10:56 AM

Why do you think you need BCAA supplement ? I'm confused.

Opies · 11-10-2009, 10:57 AM

I sip on a drink with 10g BCAAs during school because I usually don't eat for 6 hours straight, then I sip on 5g during my workout

Raptureboy · 11-10-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skydve76

Its best to take them with some fiber to give your body time to absorb them. I usually take some in the morning, and if I lift, then I I take some after my workout.

If you take too many or your body don't need them, you will expunge them. If you take them on an empty stomach, they may pass through before your body can absorb them all.

So as prescribed with 6 capsules in a day... so i take 2 capsules in the morning with breakfast, 2 before workout and 2 after workout?

Raptureboy · 11-10-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BULLandTERRIER

Why do you think you need BCAA supplement ? I'm confused.

i need it for muscle growth, recovery, endurance, and stimulate Fat Loss...

skydve76 · 11-10-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptureboy

So as prescribed with 6 capsules in a day... so i take 2 capsules in the morning with breakfast, 2 before workout and 2 after workout?

2 before and 2 after may be too many. It depends on how many grams each pill has. More than 30 grams in that form in more than a couple hours will probably cause waste (and gas).

Instead space them out more even. Take 2 in the morning,

a couple mid day, and the rest after workout or in the evening. The idea is always have BCAAs available to your body so you don't catabolize.

BULLandTERRIER · 11-10-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptureboy

i need it for muscle growth, recovery, endurance, and stimulate Fat Loss...

lol

Opies · 11-10-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptureboy

i need it for muscle growth, recovery, endurance, and stimulate Fat Loss...

If you're bulking, you might want to consider saving your money; there is a moderate amount of BCAAs in whey products already. BCAAs are typically taken when cutting to improve muscle retention and bolster energy levels, not to improve growth or stimulate fat loss.

Raptureboy · 11-10-2009, 11:19 AM

oh ok...nw i understand guys...thx 4 d info!!!

UWBodybuilding · 11-10-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opies

If you're bulking, you might want to consider saving your money; there is a moderate amount of BCAAs in whey products already. BCAAs are typically taken when cutting to improve muscle retention and bolster energy levels, not to improve growth or stimulate fat loss.

The BCAAs in whey don't act the same as free form though.

kiwidave1 · 11-10-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skydve76

2 before and 2 after may be too many. It depends on how many grams each pill has. More than 30 grams in that form in more than a couple hours will probably cause waste (and gas).

Instead space them out more even. Take 2 in the morning,

a couple mid day, and the rest after workout or in the evening. The idea is always have BCAAs available to your body so you don't catabolize.

Quote:

Its best to take them with some fiber to give your body time to absorb them.

WTF are you talking about??? I smell verbal poo.

OK, Number one. If you are taking 4 pills you are not likely to be getting 30 grams, because 7 gram pills might be a little on the "TOO F'ing LARGE TO SWALLOW" side of things. Most large pills are 1 gram.

Number 2. The whole point of taking BCAA is fast absorption, Taking them with fibre defeats the purpose and you should just be taking Whey.

The only time BCAAs are really necessary are when you need protein but drinking a whey shake/whole foods are impractical, like when doing cardio or lifting on a cut.
Take BCAAs immediately before starting your exercise and during if going longer than an hour. Post take a Whey shake. Done!

You don't need to take on your off days, just do whey or even better, whole foods.

The only advantage BCAA's have is fast absorption. Ask yourself when you need protein fast?

Try Xtend for cardio and IntrAbolic intraworkout FTW.

kiwidave1 · 11-10-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UWBodybuilding

The BCAAs in whey don't act the same as free form though.

Can you explain this? Cos as far as I know BCCA work the same no matter the medium (except speed that is).

Thanks for clarifying.

skydve76 · 11-10-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwidave1

WTF are you talking about??? I smell verbal poo.

OK, Number one. If you are taking 4 pills you are not likely to be getting 30 grams, because 7 gram pills might be a little on the "TOO F'ing LARGE TO SWALLOW" side of things. Most large pills are 1 gram.

Try Xtend for cardio and IntrAbolic intraworkout FTW.

Perhaps they are chewable, and therefore larger than a swallow able pill? Fiber will help your body absorb them more because it will slow them down in the small intestine.

Besides, if you are taking them spread out, your body will always have BCAAs available and no need for an emergency uptake.

That would be my plan as a non AAS user.

If the pills are only 1 gram, then 6 would give you 6 grams, then they aren't worth crap anyways so who cares when you take them because they ain't going to do squat.

**factotum** · 11-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwidave1

Can you explain this? Cos as far as I know BCCA work the same no matter the medium (except speed that is).

Thanks for clarifying.

He's likely referring to the differences between protein bound and free form. There does appear to be a difference in pharmacodynamics or at least in magnitude which, as you stated, is primarily due assimilation rate.

kiwidave1 · 11-11-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factotum

He's likely referring to the differences between protein bound and free form. There does appear to be a difference in pharmacodynamics or at least in magnitude which, as you stated, is primarily due assimilation rate.

Thought so, thanks!

Raptureboy · 11-11-2009, 10:21 AM

thanks guys for all ur opinions... :-)