BCAAs

[EasyEJL]

So someone help me here. I read a lot in the forums on megadosing BCAAs, but I dont understand why. Using ON BCAA 5000 powder, I see the following is in it

L-Leucine 2.50g
L-Isoleucine 1.25g
L-Valine 1.25g

In the syntrax nectar protein mix I use, in 100g of protein I get (for those 3 alone)

Leucine 11.9g
Isoleucine 6.7g
Valine 6.2g

In taking in 200g of the nectar protein a day, is there any point to me doing separate BCAAs? it doesn't seem like there would be, and the ratios are even about the same (2:1:1ish). If my understanding on this is correct I wonder how many of us are wasting money on buying BCAAs separately. I almost bought an overpriced tub locally this weekend to add it into my supp mix, but decided to look into it more.

 

[Rodja]

Taking free-form BCAAs have a much different effect than taking them with whole proteins.

 

[EasyEJL]

Not disagreeing with you, but do you know of any articles or resources that have some documentation on that? I'd like to understand that piece of the chemistry better.

 

[EasyEJL]

Comparison of plasma and intraluminal amino acid profiles in man after meals containing a protein hydrolysate and equivalent amino acid mixture.

Hegarty JE, Fairclough PD, Moriarty KJ, Clark ML, Kelly MJ, Dawson AM.

Plasma and intraluminal amino acid profiles were compared in normal subjects 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes after meals containing either a peptide-rich protein hydrolysate (H) or an equivalent free amino acid mixture (AA) as the nitrogen source. Except for asparagine (30 minutes) and glutamine (30 and 60 minutes), which were absorbed to a significantly (p less than 0.05) greater extent from the peptide mixture, there were no significant differences in the plasma increments of the remaining 13 amino acids at any time interval after the meals. Positive correlations (p less than 0.01 or less) between the amino acid composition of the hydrolysate and amino acid meals and both (1) the post-prandial increments in the individual plasma amino acids and (2) the residual intraluminal amino acid content suggested that the amino acid composition of ingested protein, rather than specialised free amino acid and peptide transport systems, dictated the pattern of amino acid absorption. The studies provide no evidence that peptides rather than free amino acids are the ideal nitrogen source in elemental diets.

 

[Rodja]

I haven't ever looked up any research on specifically BCAAs, but I do know that taking free-form has a different effect because a lot of the AA compete for absorption. This is the reason they say to take NO products on an empty stomach, so there is not competition for absorption. I understand that you are skeptical, but, trust me, taking 20g of BCAAs makes a huge difference on body composition, strength, and recovery.

 

[EasyEJL]

I also found this reference from David Tolson

http://www.*************.com/i59_BCAAs.html
oops, competitor URL, sorry. Do a search for "Branched Chain Amino Acids" by David Tolson


I may still order bulk BCAAs next time I do an NP order anyhow. My major hesitation is just wasting the $. At $35/kilo for BCAA vs as low as maybe $10/kilo for whey isolate/concentrate mixes.

More its just an interesting discussion, its so hard to really wade through the sea of what really works for everyone, what works well for just a few people, vs what works well for a few people only through a placebo effect. More than in just BCAAs, but all the differing supplement + nutritional schemas.

 

[ManInTheBox]

I think bcaa's are best when used during your workout. I don't think taking them with other protein sources hurt, but as I said, drinking them during your workout will keep you repairing and anabolic, and pass through the stomach very quickly opposed to a protein shake, which could upset your stomach if you were to drink it during your workout.