I'm doing intermittent fasting and take BCAAs peri workout after having fasted usually 14-16 hours. But the other day it occurred to me that maybe the body will just convert them to glucose if their is not enough muscle glycogen - wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose? Would the body use fat stores as energy before it converted the BCAAs or does it want to avoid using the fat for some retarded reasons.
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08-29-2011, 05:47 AM #1
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Can BCAAs get converted to glucose?
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08-29-2011, 06:24 AM #2
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08-29-2011, 06:25 AM #3
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08-29-2011, 06:38 AM #4
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08-29-2011, 07:10 AM #5
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Not ironic, that's more or less their purpose. My understanding is they are recommended there to replenish what's getting lost during oxidation of fat and catabolism of muscle. IF just seems to be a way of encouraging a mini-ketosis state during fasted training, and then eating properly the rest of the day without having to follow a strict keto diet.
The choice between cutting and bulking should be made based on facial and chest hollows.
The choice between eating more or eating less should be made based eating sufficient protein sources first, and energy levels second.
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08-29-2011, 07:11 AM #6
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08-29-2011, 07:12 AM #7
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08-29-2011, 07:28 AM #8
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08-29-2011, 07:46 AM #9
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They are "needed" to make your numbers at the end of the day, and because eventually you may need the boost of energy from not being COMPLETELY fasted to get through your lifts. If you're able to finish, and you're going to eat sufficient protein to repair before your next set of exercise, then eat them if they make you happy, and not otherwise.
The choice between cutting and bulking should be made based on facial and chest hollows.
The choice between eating more or eating less should be made based eating sufficient protein sources first, and energy levels second.
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08-29-2011, 08:27 AM #10
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08-29-2011, 09:51 AM #11
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08-29-2011, 09:56 AM #12
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Thanks. When you say that "little would be converted to glucose" could you explain the reason for it.?
Is it because stored fat would be a preferential energy source rather than the body converting amino acids? Or is it that you feel muscle glycogen levels are not that far depleted from training after a 14-16 hour fast?
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08-30-2011, 05:58 AM #13
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The reason has to do with the metabolic pathways that leucine, isoleucine and valine flow through. At least the beginning of BCAA catabolism primarily begins in the muscle since the activities of the first two enzymes involved in BCAA catabolism - branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAAAT) and the branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKD) - are highest there 50%+ (and muscle BCAA uptake and BCKD activity are increased by exercise, particularly endurance). If you have a 2:1:1 BCAA mix, only 38% could possibly end up as glucose since leucine is not glucogenic and only half of isoleucine is glucogenic. Since muscle isn't gluconeogenic, in order to create glucose, metabolism needs to begin in gluconeogenic tissue (liver or kidneys) or the carbon from partial catabolism needs to be released and taken up by gluconeogenic tissue. Some carbon is released, but not all is, in the form of glutamine, alanine and beta-hydroxyisobutyrate among others. Not all of the carbon is taken up by gluconeogenic tissue and not all that is taken up by gluconeogenic tissue is used for gluconeogenesis.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
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