Best time to take BCAA?

[Defiant1]

Very cool defiant! I found those 5 studies in about 20 minutes.....God knows there were plenty more to look through, I just didn't have the time.

Like I said before, BCAA's are a key supp to me. Cee and whey isolate are the only others I swear by (unless of course you count multi-vitamins as a supp).

I didn't want to quote you and not show you. Brought up an interesting conversation in the exercise "rant" thread.

Made me rethink as I read more. I'm going to give them another shot.

[Defiant1]

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1367018

See Mr. Someday?

I TOLD you BCAAs were important!

[bassdreamer]

I read the above article and found the information priceless. I'm going to be dieting down from Jan, through March and from the article, it looks like BCAA's will definately help me keep some muscle and loose more fat per pound lost.

Thanks again guys and gals for sharing your knowledge.

[Ripped Force138]

I like to take BCAA's. I think they are good stuff. I take them at the same time and same amount as I do glutamine powder. 5g when I wake up, 5g in my water bottle while at the gym, 5g in my PW protein/waximaize shake, and 5g with bedtime casein protein shake. All I can say is that I think they are very good. I feel it has helped me to keep muscle while cutting back my calories and losing weight, I feel they have made my strength go up, but more or less it is kind of like why I buy Animal Pak, it is a good insurance that you're muscles are being taken care of.

[thruxton]

BCAAs are the greatest supp i have ever tried.

0.2g/LB periworkout and between meals on off days.

[Nikonguy]

Strong bump powers up in here. The BCAAs must be working for you guys.

[psychowolverine]

when I could afford them, I liked to take them throughout the day. When short on cash I like post workout.

One of the best supps out there..

[ko_kidd]

So are they worth taking on off days at all?

Or say if you took a week off from lifting or something like that?

[dbx]

So are they worth taking on off days at all?

Or say if you took a week off from lifting or something like that?

No, a waste of a good supp. BCCAs are found in food you eat too, so if you're not lifting you'd be wasting your supp supply.


Damn it's nice to see a worthy 3yr old thread get found through searching .

[muttytwist]

I have had good results from bcaa's ( beverly's density) , taken with brekfast and post workout ( afternoon). Don't know if anyone else would, but that is my experience. I also like to use glutamine when bulking.

[dbx]

I also like to use glutamine when bulking.

Why is that?

[Bo_Flecks]

Recently I was curious about this myself when I discovered this thread on the topic:

The perfect supplements before/following exercise!!!
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=584191

There is a lot of information and research quoted in this thread, not only about BCAAs but also EAAs. I found it very interesting and helpful.

Bo

[chodan9]

ibest time to take bcaa?

1997

[hochspeyer]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but its worth a look (yes, I get add'l BCAA's through supps). This is what you get from one can (165g) of plain, drained of water, tuna... ~94% protein by weight.

Protein & Amino Acids
Amounts Per Selected Serving
Protein 42.1g
Tryptophan 472mg
Threonine 1845mg
Isoleucine 1939mg
Leucine 3420mg
Lysine 3866mg
Methionine 1246mg
Cystine 450mg
Phenylalanine 1643mg
Tyrosine 1421mg
Valine 2168mg
Arginine 2519mg
Histidine 1239mg
Alanine 2546mg
Aspartic acid 4310mg
Glutamic acid 6283mg
Glycine 2020mg
Proline 1488mg
Serine 1718mg
Hydroxyproline~

[muttytwist]

Why is that?

I do this because my diet doesn't get adjusted frequentlt enough. Extra glutamine seems to help with my forgetting to up the food as I grow. So I'm proof you can supliment stupit.

[hochspeyer]

So, if I read this correctly,

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bcaa2.htm

there isn't any real possibility of overloading on bcaa's?

[boodog]

Thanks for the thread...and all the information....I am goning to up my BCCA intake....but I am always concerned with liver and kidney function...I get bood work twice a year and will watch for any problems...

[dbx]

So, if I read this correctly,

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bcaa2.htm

there isn't any real possibility of overloading on bcaa's?

In general, no. I mean, you could use triple the amount the maker recommends and the only result would be you needing to order more .

Thanks for the thread...and all the information....I am goning to up my BCCA intake....but I am always concerned with liver and kidney function...I get bood work twice a year and will watch for any problems...

You will not have any issues with organ function because of supplementing with BCAAs.

My biggest misgiving with the article linked above is that it is clearly written by an avid advocate, at the very least, and possibly for the sake of a company who makes the product. There is no mention (I skimmed it quickly, so maybe it's there?) of the fact that BCAAs are found in and consumed in the common foods we eat on a daily basis.

Lastly, after the author practically touts BCAs as the "next coming", he throws in this subtle admission; "Your normal meal immediately after training should take care of most of your nutritional needs, but getting that edge of instant nutrient supply may be just what you need to reduce muscle catabolism and to boost the training effects."

If you have any analytical skills, you'll realize that the statement above doesn't exactly jive with the "summary" at the end. Yes, I've been using BCAAs for about 4yrs now, but I just tend to feel a bit put off when I see a sales pitch overpowering the very real and proven benefits message of the product being hawked.

[Gavin77]

I would say the best time to take your BCAA's is straight after training with your protein shake. I usually just take about 10-12grams of powder straight into the mouth and wash it down with about 60grams of a quality protein powder.

The 60 grams of protein powder already has about 10-12grams of BCAA's, so all I'm really doing is doubling my BCAA intake by taking the powder

[Arlecchino]

Wow strong multiple bumps.



I really only get anything out of them when cutting or pushing the conditioning work. Why when cutting should be obvious, when pushing conditioning work because of the increase in training volume.

[BestYearEver]

1. Does it do any good to take BCAA in capsule form? I get some in the whey protein I drink pre w/o, but actually use the whey to take 5 MRM BCAA+glutamine caps. It's what they sell at the grocery store, lol.

2. Timing -- doesn't seem to be any consensus in this thread. Should I try to take some more after working out? Usually reward myself with Muscle Milk afterward (mmmmm, melted vanilla milkshake!!), and eat 1-2 pieces of fruit between sets for energy during w/o.

I hew pretty close to maintenance calories and do PL type w/o, so the primary purpose for any supp is muscle conservation and overall recovery.

Thanks!!!

[dbx]

1. Does it do any good to take BCAA in capsule form? I get some in the whey protein I drink pre w/o, but actually use the whey to take 5 MRM BCAA+glutamine caps. It's what they sell at the grocery store, lol.

If they're actually BCAAs in the caps then, yes. And btw, you get BCAAs almost every time you eat food. This is mostly the reason why some of us stated that we find them more useful when on low calorie intake/cutting.

2. Timing -- doesn't seem to be any consensus in this thread. Should I try to take some more after working out? Usually reward myself with Muscle Milk afterward (mmmmm, melted vanilla milkshake!!), and eat 1-2 pieces of fruit between sets for energy during w/o.

You kinda have to read through some stuff sometimes. Consensus will differ because goals differ among those responding. There's not really a bad time to take them, but there are times where it is more optimal to take them. Example - right before doing cardio, during cardio....and immediately after cardio. The same can be said substituting the word 'workout" with cardio in the sentence. But again, it will depend on the duration and intensity level in either endeavor, as to how much...if at all...you'll reap the benefits of taking BCAAs. I use them daily.

[BestYearEver]

If they're actually BCAAs in the caps then, yes. And btw, you get BCAAs almost every time you eat food. This is mostly the reason why some of us stated that we find them more useful when on low calorie intake/cutting.



You kinda have to read through some stuff sometimes. Consensus will differ because goals differ among those responding. There's not really a bad time to take them, but there are times where it is more optimal to take them. Example - right before doing cardio, during cardio....and immediately after cardio. The same can be said substituting the word 'workout" with cardio in the sentence. But again, it will depend on the duration and intensity level in either endeavor, as to how much...if at all...you'll reap the benefits of taking BCAAs. I use them daily.

Thanks!! MRM seems to be pretty reputable so I'll assume the capsules contain BCAAs.

I'm mostly focused on getting stronger and hoping to look better in the process -- so far so good, but it's been recomping for a whole year and still at it. So I take BCAAs to make sure my muscles have the building blocks for repair, CLA so that my body will use fat and not muscle if I'm not getting quite enough food, and I eat lots of food for energy and recovery (and enjoyment, ). Thank G-d for great trainer who writes awesome programs for me to stay on the right side of the line re overtraining -- because I push as close as I can, pretty much all the time.

Will the BCAAs pre w/o last for an hour? I don't think I could actually drink anything other than water, but I could probably pop some capsules between sets/exercises. Will def try to add some after w/o.

[dbx]

Thanks!! MRM seems to be pretty reputable so I'll assume the capsules contain BCAAs.

Yeah, they're reputable. I used a tub of their lemon flavored BCAA about 4yrs ago. It was a good value, but at the time, I ultimately preferred Scivation's Xtend flavoring system.

I'm mostly focused on getting stronger and hoping to look better in the process -- so far so good, but it's been recomping for a whole year and still at it. So I take BCAAs to make sure my muscles have the building blocks for repair, CLA so that my body will use fat and not muscle if I'm not getting quite enough food, and I eat lots of food for energy and recovery (and enjoyment, ). Thank G-d for great trainer who writes awesome programs for me to stay on the right side of the line re overtraining -- because I push as close as I can, pretty much all the time.

Will the BCAAs pre w/o last for an hour? I don't think I could actually drink anything other than water, but I could probably pop some capsules between sets/exercises. Will def try to add some after w/o.

I think it will continue to be of benefit for you. As far as "how long it lasts", I can't say. BCAAs go straight through the gut lumen (no digestion involved) and into your blood stream, and this is why some people say caplets are not the way to go. While personally, I take powder, our stomach acid should release those cap BCAAs in a matter of seconds after ingesting. The issue might be more about how much the caps are costing you vs. bulk . It's usually a significant difference. BCAAs taste lousy (not as bad as EAAs thoug, lol), but can be flavored easily and cheaply if you want to do it yourself.

I can't drink water or a mixture of any type while I run, but I believe that running under one hour and taking ~10g-15g prior to running and another 15g immediately afterward have helped me preserve LBM. This may be another eye opener for you; you may find that 7-8g is fine pre & post, but how many caps do you have to eat to get that amount? Again, bulk powder ftw!

[BBLou]

I take my BCAAs in my during-WO drink. About 10-12 grams...

[BestYearEver]

While waiting to check-out at the grocery store today, was flipping through the Oxygen issue on the newstand. There was a cover story about some amazing supp and, when I turned to the article, it was BCAAs. Hahahahaha!

[dbx]

While waiting to check-out at the grocery store today, was flipping through the Oxygen issue on the newstand. There was a cover story about some amazing supp and, when I turned to the article, it was BCAAs. Hahahahaha!

It is but one of a small handful that I "believe in" and use.

[drunken_rapper]

This enemy to bodybuilders is part of a process known as gluconeogenosis, which means producing or generating glucose from noncarbohydrate sources. The part of this reaction that of importance to bodybuilders is known as the glucose - alanine cycle, in which BCAAs are stripped from the muscle tissue and parts of them are converted to the amino acid alanine, which is transported to the liver and converted into glucose.

If you consume supplemental BCAA's. the body does not have to break down muscle tissue to derive extra energy. A study conducted recently at the School of Human Biology, University of Guelph, Onterio, Canada, confirmed that the use of BCAA's (up to 4 grams) during and after exercise can result in a significant reduction of muscle breakdown during exercise.

so i guess BCAA is extremely important during pre-workout
this also applies when you are doing cardio to burn fat,coz some muscle will burn along with fat ,so better to take BCAA before workout to prevent muscles being used for energy

[drunken_rapper]

So are they worth taking on off days at all?

Or say if you took a week off from lifting or something like that?

as long as you maintain a positive nitrogen balance by consuming first class proteins,ur body won't go into a catabolic state,so not reqd on rest/non-lifting days
BUT required on CARDIO days

[TXguy33]

I like to take BCAA's. I think they are good stuff. I take them at the same time and same amount as I do glutamine powder. 5g when I wake up, 5g in my water bottle while at the gym, 5g in my PW protein/waximaize shake, and 5g with bedtime casein protein shake. All I can say is that I think they are very good. I feel it has helped me to keep muscle while cutting back my calories and losing weight, I feel they have made my strength go up, but more or less it is kind of like why I buy Animal Pak, it is a good insurance that you're muscles are being taken care of.

I know this thread is about 2 years old, but I was just researching a little to find out about BCAAs since i've heard a lot about the importance of them. This may be a stupid question, but a product like Xtend would eliminate the need to buy BCAA's and Glutamine separately, correct? From what I can tell, Xtend has BCAA's and Glutamine.