When to take amino acids?

[Evil93]

I am currently taking GNC's brand of Amino Acid 3000. I take 3 in the morning with a protein shake. When is the best time to take on off days and on lifting days? I have been taking all 3 in the morning with a protein shake on off days and I take 3 right after with a protein shake immediately after lifting. I was just wondering what you guys think.
Thanks

[stealth_swimmer]

On an empty stomach first of all. Right before a workout is good and right after a workout but before the protein shake (about 15 minutes) is also good. First thing in morning is good. The main thing is to take it on an empty stomach or with some carbs.

A lot of people don't realize this but when ingesting protein, the body will only absorb and put to use the proper ratio of amino acids and you pee the rest out.The point of amino acid supplementation is to use the amino acids in the ratio that is specified. So if you take amino acids and protein at the same time then you knock down the effectiveness of the amino acids.

[FlyingV]

My .02. You don't need the GNC Amino 3000. It's just whey and egg protein in tablet form, it's not giving you anything your protein powder isnt giving you; your protein powder, as long as it's whey/casein/egg in any combo, is just as much of an amino acid supplement as the tabs - it's just a more expensive way of getting the same aminos. Skip the tabs, save some bread, and just use the protein powder.

[OneBetter]

3 caps? what's that provide, 5g of protein? not worth it in the least.

[5Six]

I am not aware of the GNC Amino Acid 3000. Are they BCAAs? Or just a protein in capsule form? Like a few people said it would be alot better to get it from a food source (ie. chicken, turkey, fish, lean ground beef, tuna) than in capsole form. Or use a protein powder if you have trouble meeting your daily needs. My personal favorite is 100% Whey by Optimnum Nutrition.

But if you insist in taking a tablet protein powder. Take it right in the morning on an empty stomach and after a workout.

[Evil93]

Sorry for not mentioning, yes they are BCAA's. Thanks for the replies!!!

[5Six]

If they are a BCAA in the morning and post workout would me most optimal.

[Endocrine]

On an empty stomach first of all. Right before a workout is good and right after a workout but before the protein shake (about 15 minutes) is also good. First thing in morning is good. The main thing is to take it on an empty stomach or with some carbs.

A lot of people don't realize this but when ingesting protein, the body will only absorb and put to use the proper ratio of amino acids and you pee the rest out.The point of amino acid supplementation is to use the amino acids in the ratio that is specified. So if you take amino acids and protein at the same time then you knock down the effectiveness of the amino acids.

Your body doesn't "pee" a whole lot of things out in the way of our macronutrients. Your liver is capabe of making amino acids right into glucose or fatty acids.

Taking free form amino acids prior to any protein intake would be like that of drinking a little dextrose prior to eating your oatmeal. BCAA's along with a meal that includes a protein source low in BCAA's ie. fish, you'd be doing yourself a favor. Taking BCAA's prior to drinking whey is a TOTAL waste being that whey has an outstanding BCAA profile.

[FlyingV]

well, strictly speaking the GNC Amino Burst 3000 isn't a BCAA supplement, although it includes some, as any whey/egg protein does, but the amounts are very small relative to an actual BCAA supplement.

per tablet

Isoleucine 62 mg
Leucine 110 mg
Valine 60 mg