| Product | Branched Chain Amino Acid |
|---|
| CAS | 69430-36-0 |
| Catalog | DS69430360 |
| Assay | 98% |
| Proportion | Leucine: Valine: Isoleucine (2:1:1) (4:1:1) (8:1:1) |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Moisture | ≤ 6% |
| Colony counts | ≤ 1000 |
| Shelf life | 2 years |
| Package | 25 kg/drum |
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) refer to three amino acids: leucine, valine and isoleucine. Since the structures of these specific amino acids all contain branches, their collective name is branched-chain amino acids. Compared to other essential amino acids degraded in the liver, almost all BCAAs are catabolised in the extra-thepatic tissues. What's more, the content of the body's amino acids is about 35-40%, and 14-18% of BCAAs are found in muscles, so they play an important role in muscle growth. These amino acids promote muscle anabolism in two specific ways: release insulin and release growth hormones. As the most important amino acid in BCAAs, leucine is the precursor to beta-hydroxyl-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), which have the abilities to increase muscle mass, reduce fat, and provide nutrients to the body.
Functions
The specific functions of branched-chain amino acids are shown below [1], [2].
- Regulate protein synthesis and turnover.
- Maintain body's glutamate-glutamine level.
- Contribute to the synthesis of excitatory glutamate.
- Decrease muscle soreness.
- Increase power output.
Food Sources
BCAAs are found in a variety of high-protein foods and people can get them through a balanced diet. The richest natural food sources of BCAAs are meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs, as shown below.
- Meat: Fish, salmon, chicken, turkey, beef, poultry
- Dairy products: Whey, milk, yogurt
- Coarse grain: whole wheat, brown rice
- Nuts: almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts
- Beans: chickpeas, lentils, lima beans
BCAA Supplements
BCAAs are essential nutrients for the human body. However, they cannot be synthesized endogenously by humans, which means they can only be obtained from external sources, such as foods or supplements. Not all protein foods contain equal amounts of BCAAs. Plant-based protein sources such as wheat, hemp, and soybeans are lower in BCAAs than dairy products, eggs, meat, and fish. Therefore, for vegetarians or people with unbalanced diets, they cannot get enough BCAAs from food. This means that these people need to take BCAA supplements to meet their bodies' needs. BCAA supplements are available in powder or capsule forms. They are the most common supplements on the market, and almost every bodybuilder or enthusiast takes them to help their muscles grow and repair. The benefits of BCAAs are as follows:
Maximize muscle growth
BCAAs can increase muscle protein synthesis (MPS). BCAA supplements are commonly used to maximize muscle growth. However, it is important to note that the process of muscle protein synthesis requires the participation of all essential amino acids to maintain the rate of protein synthesis. Therefore, it is not possible to promote muscle anabolism by supplementing BCAAs alone [3]. For those who want to keep fit and build muscle, supplementation with whey protein powder containing all essential amino acids and BCAAs is a wise choice.
Decrease muscle soreness
Muscle soreness is a condition that occurs when muscles tear or swell after strenuous exercise. Once the symptoms of general muscle soreness appear, it is advisable to stop training in order to relieve muscle fatigue. Numerous scientific studies have shown that BCAA supplementation can relieve muscle soreness after intense training while promoting muscle and creatine tissue repair. Therefore, BCAA supplements are commonly taken immediately after exercise by many fitness enthusiasts.
Scientific research shows that there is a saturation point in the synthesis rate of muscle protein in the human body. When the saturation point is reached, the protein synthesis rate will decrease and eventually return to the baseline level even if BCAA continue to be supplemented, which is called "Muscle full effect". As a result, taking BCAA supplements again after the synthesis rate of proteins drops back to its baseline is the most effective method.
Alfa Chemistry provides BCAA as an ingredient for dietary supplements, and the relevant parameters of the products have been listed on the page. If you need BCAA with other formulations, please don't hesitate to contact us and we are happy to provide you with more customized services.
References
- Tamanna, N.; Mahmood, N. Emerging roles of branched-chain amino acid supplementation in human diseases. Int Sch Res Notices. 2014, 235619.
- Yudkoff, M.; et al. Brain amino acid requirements and toxicity: The example of leucine. Journal of Nutrition. 2005, 135 (6): 1531S–1538S.
- Wolfe, R. R. Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017, 14: 30.
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