BCAA ratio

machorox123

machorox123

Well-known member
Im lookin for opinions on what the best ratio is for BCAA's. Im buying powders in bulk and making it myself. I know you want more Leucine.; From my experience ive never noticed a difference anything more than 2:1:1. would there be any more benefit to doing something like 4:1:1
 
Higher ratio of leucine is preferable. I like an 8:1:1 ratio. You could always run leucine instead of a bcaa mix also. However, There is some research out there suggesting there's a need to have all three in a balanced ratio
 
sharperunner said:
Higher ratio of leucine is preferable. I like an 8:1:1 ratio. You could always run leucine instead of a bcaa mix also. However, There is some research out there suggesting there's a need to have all three in a balanced ratio
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How is 8:1:1 a balanced ratio ?
 
You're going to get varying opinions on this. I've used leucine solo, eaa's, and every ratio of bcaa's at some point in time. Haven't had one that's jumped out at me that's much better than any other(unless we're talking taste). I think recovery is definitely better using any of them over not using them at all.
 
There is only a study backing 1 ratio, does that mean it is superior? By no means, it just means the others have not been studied.
 
Not sure how much it matters besides getting 0.045g-0.06g per kg of body weight of Leucine to maximize muscle protein synthesis. A lot of studies on BCAAs seem pretty dodgy to me unfortunately and personal experience seems to determine what people suggest.
 
2:1:1 > every other marketed ratio
 
sharperunner said:
Higher ratio of leucine is preferable. I like an 8:1:1 ratio. You could always run leucine instead of a bcaa mix also. However, There is some research out there suggesting there's a need to have all three in a balanced ratio
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Because leucine activate the Mtor pathway, I prefer a higher ratio in the bcaa blend.
 
808shredded said:
Because leucine activate the Mtor pathway, I prefer a higher ratio in the bcaa blend.
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Glutamine in conjunction with leucine helps activate the mTORC1.
 
mr.cooper69 said:
If getting a ratio, go with 2:1:1. Otherwise just buy leucine. Anything > 4:1:1 is just wasted $$ on flavored leucine.
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I honestly think this idea of leucine only or higher leucine blends is overrated and full of hype.
 
JudoJosh said:
I honestly think this idea of leucine only or higher leucine blends is overrated and full of hype.
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I know you feel that way after reading your back and forth with dinoiii back in the day. I personally think BCAAs/leucine/etc are mostly hype and premature extrapolations are being made from rat models with respect to actual body composition. But if I had to pick something, it would be leucine, pre-training, fasted
 
bolt10 said:
Not sure how much it matters besides getting 0.045g-0.06g per kg of body weight of Leucine to maximize muscle protein synthesis. A lot of studies on BCAAs seem pretty dodgy to me unfortunately and personal experience seems to determine what people suggest.
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good to se ya, boltster. :)

mr.cooper69 said:
I personally think BCAAs/leucine/etc are mostly hype and premature extrapolations are being made from rat models with respect to actual body composition. But if I had to pick something, it would be leucine, pre-training, fasted
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nice as always my friend.

schroedes said:
ZERO science behind the 8 to 1 ratio
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fixed for you.
and the crowd that says 2:1:1 is the only ratio with tried and true studies behind it, is stretching the thin lines of truth as well.
just because there are "studies" that have been done w/ 2:1:1 thru the yrs, does not make it the proven "best" or "optimal" route to go..

experiment, and see if you can tell a difference yourself. (bet you cannot)
then - go with your own preference.
but: don't proclaim it to be the "be all/end all" of ratios please................
 
snagencyV2.0 said:
good to se ya, boltster. :)


nice as always my friend.


fixed for you.
and the crowd that says 2:1:1 is the only ratio with tried and true studies behind it, is stretching the thin lines of truth as well.
just because there are "studies" that have been done w/ 2:1:1 thru the yrs, does not make it the proven "best" or "optimal" route to go..

experiment, and see if you can tell a difference yourself. (bet you cannot)
then - go with your own preference.
but: don't proclaim it to be the "be all/end all" of ratios please................
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yes, personally ive been on either monster amino or moden bcaas for the last 4 months and, both have a 8 to 1 ratio, i can guarantee positive results, to each their own...
 
schroedes said:
yes, personally ive been on either monster amino or moden bcaas for the last 4 months and, both have a 8 to 1 ratio, i can guarantee positive results, to each their own...
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This is the exact opposite of science: anecdote.

The key, as I'm sure Usp labs agrees, is leucine. I would only be concerned about isl/val plasma depletion if my diet was low in protein (which it never should be) or if megadosing BCAAs.
 
T-Bone said:
If you eat a high protein diet there really is no need to supplement with extra leucine. It is the most abundant amino acid found in food.
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I don't know if I necessarily agree with that.

Leucine has been shown in numerous studies to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Even while I'm on a full all out bulk where my protein is at 300g+ per day, I personally still see a vast improvement in performance and recovery with the use of BCAAs. Its hard to train without out them.
 
schroedes said:
Ummm, was that a point? ?
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scientifically speaking, yes.
if you look up the defintion of "scientific analysis", and then look up the definiton of "anecdotal hypothesis", you may see the exact point that cooper is making re. your following statement:
schroedes said:
yes, personally ive been on either monster amino or moden bcaas for the last 4 months and, both have a 8 to 1 ratio, i can guarantee positive results, to each their own...
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let's move on.



Evan666 said:
Leucine has been shown in numerous studies to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Even while I'm on a full all out bulk where my protein is at 300g+ per day, I personally still see a vast improvement in performance and recovery with the use of BCAAs.
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totally agree with the point you make here. (even if your screen name is scary) :yikes:
to all the ppl who think a protein-rich diet is all that is needed, ponder:
it is hard to train on a full stomach, no? and the act of digestion is not only a time consuming process for the body to break down and glean those bcaas, but also creates other issues (directing bloodflow to gut for digestive purposes, rather than muscle tissue..etc)..
so - is there not obvious value to leucine/bcaas in free form, when you want to utilize them (without other nutrients clouding the mix), immediately?
 
snagencyV2.0 said:
scientifically speaking, yes.
if you look up the defintion of "scientific analysis", and then look up the definiton of "anecdotal hypothesis", you may see the exact point that cooper is making re. your following statement:


let's move on.




totally agree with the point you make here.
to all the ppl who think a protein-rich diet is all that is needed, ponder:
it is hard to train on a full stomach, no? and the act of digestion is not only a time consuming process for the body to break down and glean those bcaas, but also creates other issues (directing bloodflow to gut rather than muscle tissue, etc)..
so - is there not obvious value to leucine/bcaas in free form, when you want to utilize them (without other nutrients clouding the mix), immediately?
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I see someone is no longer Confined to PP Logs :). I like your train of thought :D!
 
8:1:1 for me....not because of any type of theory or hypothesis...but because I have been using BCAAs for 7 years straight and I can tell a noticeable difference on 8:1:1.

For me, 8:1:1 is anabolic, whereas 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 is anti-catabolic

Just because lower ratios have more research does not make them better...
 
nattydisaster said:
8:1:1 for me....not because of any type of theory or hypothesis...but because I have been using BCAAs for 7 years straight and I can tell a noticeable difference on 8:1:1.

For me, 8:1:1 is anabolic, whereas 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 is anti-catabolic

Just because lower ratios have more research does not make them better...
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Interesting!
 
nattydisaster said:
8:1:1 for me....not because of any type of theory or hypothesis...but because I have been using BCAAs for 7 years straight and I can tell a noticeable difference on 8:1:1.

For me, 8:1:1 is anabolic, whereas 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 is anti-catabolic

Just because lower ratios have more research does not make them better...
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That is certainly possible, given that higher leucine content obviously promotes anabolism, whereas isoleucine and particularly valine are prone to gluconeogenesis, especially in the context of a high protein diet. This would have a protein-sparing, anti-catabolic effect.
 
mr.cooper69 said:
That is certainly possible, given that higher leucine content obviously promotes anabolism, whereas isoleucine and particularly valine are prone to gluconeogenesis, especially in the context of a high protein diet. This would have a protein-sparing, anti-catabolic effect.
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Wow... I had no idea isoleucine and valine turned to glucose.

I need to give 8:1:1 ratio a shot.
 
Agree with a lot of what's been posted here. 2:1:1 is the studied version and as a rule I generally like that. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if the higher ratio Leucine wasn't partially because of the fact it was super cheap for a while and easily marketed as such, but who knows. I've seen absolutely zero difference in any ratio used or even really a difference from company to company on product.

And part of me leans towards T-bone's thinking even though I still use BCAA's frequently. Whey protein and the typical BB diet is going to get a ton of them in. Personally, I would use a bunch of other supplements before them if money is an issue, but I know a lot of people who feel the exact opposite on this.

Good discussion though and never something people can come to a consensus on.
 
Geoforce said:
Agree with a lot of what's been posted here. 2:1:1 is the studied version and as a rule I generally like that. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if the higher ratio Leucine wasn't partially because of the fact it was super cheap for a while and easily marketed as such, but who knows. I've seen absolutely zero difference in any ratio used or even really a difference from company to company on product.

And part of me leans towards T-bone's thinking even though I still use BCAA's frequently. Whey protein and the typical BB diet is going to get a ton of them in. Personally, I would use a bunch of other supplements before them if money is an issue, but I know a lot of people who feel the exact opposite on this.

Good discussion though and never something people can come to a consensus on.
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What research on 2:1:1?

At 2:1:1, if you "MEGA dose" as most do to increase the leucine content, your valine and isoleucine content increases dramatically.

Our goal is supplying Leucine the star Amino without depleting the 2 other amino acids and contributing to glucose conversion while training.
 
mr.cooper69 said:
That is certainly possible, given that higher leucine content obviously promotes anabolism, whereas isoleucine and particularly valine are prone to gluconeogenesis, especially in the context of a high protein diet. This would have a protein-sparing, anti-catabolic effect.
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use during training and in between meal or if you are a vegetarian, never with a high protein meal.
 
After throwing up a few preworkout protein shakes(thanks to leg day), i consider bcaa's(regardless of ratios) a staple for pre......no one likes the fool vomiting in the corner
 
nattydisaster said:
8:1:1 for me....not because of any type of theory or hypothesis...but because I have been using BCAAs for 7 years straight and I can tell a noticeable difference on 8:1:1.

For me, 8:1:1 is anabolic, whereas 2:1:1 and 4:1:1 is anti-catabolic

Just because lower ratios have more research does not make them better...[/QUOTE

the leucine research trumps any 2:1:1 for our goals in the gym.

You are correct. Research is there for us to begin formulating a strategy, never is it absolute, but with time and experience, you find what is best for you.
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