BCAA Anabolic Effect

Anabolic Effects of BCAA - Branche Chain Amino Acids!

BCAAs are shown to have anabolic effects in human muscle. They are required for muscle tissue maintenance and preserve glycogen stores in muscle tissue. The BCAAs are the primary amino acids responsible for protein synthesis. In fact, the tissue building effects from protein are primarily due to BCAAs.

The anabolic activity of BCAAs are from multiple pathways. Studies show that the BCAAs and in particular leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis by acting as both a signal and a substrate. One way BCAAs do this is through signaling mTOR activity in human muscle tissue. mTOR is the primary regulator of muscle growth through amino acid sensoring. BCAAs appear to signal mTOR to activate protein synthesis after exercise.

This is a significant anabolic signaling effect activated by BCAA.

Anti-Catabolic Effects of BCAA

BCAAs effect on increasing lean muscle tissue stems from its anabolic activity as well as its anti-catabolic activity. Studies show taking BCAAs before training is effective at suppressing muscle tissue breakdown after training.

These study results suggest that BCAAs have a protein-sparing effect during the recovery after exercise, and that protein synthesis is stimulated and/or protein degradation is decreased. There are also indications, though difficult to measure, that these same effects happen during exercise as well.

With BCAA supplementation you get greater protein synthesis and less protein breakdown.

Reduce Muscle Damage and Soreness

BCAAs reduce training induced muscle damage and soreness. Studies performed on athletes supplementing with BCAA showed reduced levels of key markers indicative of muscle damage, reduced inflammation, and effectively reduced perceived muscle soreness.

Blood samples after BCAA intake showed dramatic decreases in creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) – both markers of muscle damage. Lower levels of CK and LDH indicate less muscle tissue damage and inflammation. Less muscle damage, soreness and inflammation leads to quicker recovery times. Your body spends more time in anabolic mode.

BCAAs Reduces Fatigue and Enhance Endurance

One unique effect of BCAA is its prevention of central fatigue allowing for high intensity training for longer periods of time. Research on BCAA supplementation during exercise does show they increase mental alertness and reduce mental fatigue.

In the blood stream BCAAs compete with tryptophan (the tranquilizing amino acid). Tryptophan is the direct precursor to the neuro- transmitter serotonin. This depresses the central nervous system and produces symptoms of fatigue. When you exercise intensely, the ratio of tryptophan to BCAA is altered in favor of increases in tryptophan. This in itself makes you fatigued. Several studies with various types of athletes confirm that BCAAs reduce mental fatigue and increase mental alertness during their respective events.

Less fatigue during exercise and other physical activities as well as sharper mental focus and concentration supports enhanced athletic performance. Anytime you can train harder and concentrate better you’ll get results faster.

Fast Ball Stays Fast

An interesting sport specific study (baseball) showed BCAA supplementation prevented the drop in pitching velocity that occurs after approximately 100 pitches – delaying fatigue and extending muscular endurance. In this rather unique study, college and pro level pitchers supplementing with BCAA showed no abrupt drop in pitching speed when those that didn’t supplement saw significant speed decreases. BCAAs could spell the end to the “Closer” in Major League Baseball.

While studies show significant decreases in training fatigue other studies also show BCAA supplementation enhances endurance by extending time to exhaustion during exercise.

Get Anabolic - Stay Anabolic!

As you can see, BCAAs are the most extensively researched amino acids. When it comes to turning on anabolic activity in muscle tissue while turning off anti-catabolic activity, no other amino acids have show shown such direct effect.

To sum up what BCAA 4500 can do for you – increase anabolic effects of exercise, decrease anti-catabolic effects of exercise, reduced muscle damage, reduce muscle soreness during and after exercise, decrease recovery time, increase mental focus, decrease mental and physical fatigue, increase endurance, and enhance protein synthesis.