Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplements – Enhancing the Body’s Protein Synthesis

It had already been scientifically established that amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are so called because of their structure, which includes a “side chain” of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms. Today, this essential supplement is now available as branched-chain amino acid supplements, a staple in the body-building, among others.

These three BCCAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) combine and are considered hydrophobic (water-fearing). Among the three, leucine is the most heavily researched, and appears to offer the biggest physiological benefit.

Because of their involvement in protein synthesis and energy production, BCAAs are important components to many metabolic processes. However, they must be available to the body through ingestion.

Intakes

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Among the amino acids, BCAAs are not degraded (processed) in the liver. All the other amino acids are regulated and processed in the gut and the liver before they are being circulated all over the body. BCCAs directly go into the bloodstream.

BCCA intake, therefore, directly influences the plasma levels and concentration in the muscle tissue. They are burned for energy (oxidized) during the exercise proper as an exercise fuel. Consumption of BCCA before training can increase the uptake into the muscle tissues.

Other benefits

Supplementation of BCCAs may lower the lactate levels during the resistance training, hence, improve the oxidation in muscles.  It may also induce the increase of growth hormones in circulation. This is related to anabolic mechanisms that cause muscle growth.

The supplementation may also decrease serum concentrations of the intramuscular enzymes creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase after a prolonged exercise. This can decrease muscle damage and improve overall recovery.

The muscles are important sites for Branch Chain Amino Acid supplements activity. There is increased cell concentration and breakdown of BCCAs in muscle tissue. They are continuously released from the liver and other internal organs to skeletal muscles. This enables the BCCAs to assist in maintaining blood sugar levels. During exercise, they may be responsible for the 40% blood sugar production.

Some details

BCCAs are important to muscle tissues and in maintaining blood sugar levels. Consuming carbohydrates, protein and amino acid beverages during and after exercises can induce insulin response.

In turn, it helps transport BCCAs into the body’s cells. In the muscle cells, the pathway for protein synthesis is dependent on leucine. This means that protein synthesis (and muscle building) is dependent on how much leucine is available. Since BCCA levels decline in exercise, there is need to supplement them.

Synthesis

If you train or do strenuous exercise after a fast, or you don’t eat after the routine, you will lose more protein than you rebuild. If you ingest sufficient Branch Chain Amino Acid supplements during this time, especially leucine, you will help enhance the body’s protein synthesis.

The body would need an estimated daily leucine intake of 1 to 3 grams a day, for the body to make new proteins. This minimum intake has to be met before leucine is able to impact the insulin signaling pathway. (Athletes and people doing heavy exercises and resistance training, usually consume 12 grams of leucine daily.)

Branched-chain amino acid supplements actively help these athletes.