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Biochemistry behind BCAAs

To delve a little deeper into the three essential amino acids that make up BCAAs in the required ratios, 2:1:1, 4:1:1 and 8:1:1 (I’ve even seen 16:1:1, which is ridiculous, by far the most optimal in my opinion is 4:1:1) I have put my biochemistry hat back on to go into a little more detail for those of you like myself who are keen to get down to the molecular level:

 

1) VALINE

Valine is an aliphatic amino acid that is quite closely related to both leucine and isoleucine in structure and in function. These amino acids are extremely hydrophobic (the opposite being hydrophilic) and are therefore almost always found on the interior of proteins peptides. Valine molecules are seldom useful in routine biochemical reactions, but are extremely important in determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins due to their hydrophobic nature [6]. Important food sources that contain valine include soy flour, cottage cheese, fish, meats, and vegetables. Valine is incorporated into proteins and enzymes at the molar rate of 6.9% when compared to the other amino acids [4].

 

 

2) LEUCINE

Leucine, like its structural cousin's isoleucine and valine, is also a hydrophobic amino acid that is found as a structural element on the interior of proteins and enzymes. There appears to be no other significant metabolic role for these amino acids, but they are essential and because they are not synthesized by mammalian tissues and must be taken in via the diet [4].

 

Leucine ties with glycine for the second most common amino acid found in proteins, 7.5% on a molar basis compared to the other amino acids [2]. Leucine provides ingredients for the production of other essential biochemical components in the body. Some of these are utilized for the production of energy or stimulants to the upper brain and therefore helping you to be more alert [5].

 

 

3) ISO-LEUCINE

As with valine and leucine, isoleucine is a member of the aliphatic side-chain amino acid family that is composed of extremely hydrophobic biochemicals that are found principally in the interior of proteins and enzymes. The take away message here is like with any essential amino acids, isoleucine is not synthesized by mammalian tissues and therefore is vital that we get ENOUGH of this in our diet [4]. Sometimes amino acids that we supplement are also made by mammalian tissue and therefore we can sometimes get away with not looking after them so much in our diets. This is not the case here and makes BCAAs supplementation even more crucial.  

 

Similarly to both valine and leucine they appear to have no other significant biological role than incorporation into proteins and enzymes, where their main purpose is to help dictate the tertiary structure of the macromolecules [5].

 

Isoleucine is incorporated into proteins at a molar rate of 4.6% when compared to the other amino acids [6]. Isoleucine contains ingredients for the manufacturing of other essential biochemical components in the body, some of which are utilized for the production of energy (ATP), stimulants that cross the blood-brain barrier and helping you to stay more alert for longer [7].

 

 

When Do You Take BCAA Supplements?

This is something I get asked everyday and the quick answer is “all the time”. There is no time of the day that taking BCAA’s is a bad idea, AT ALL. When is it most optimal? Well, immediately before, during or after training. Believe it or not after training is just as important as before and during exercise. We have a window post exercise in which your muscles need protein to repair and regrow. Research shows that solely relying on a protein shake alone isn’t enough to put significant levels of amino acids into your blood stream. This is because the digestion rate of the protein takes time. BCAA supplements help put amino acids into the body quickly and work with the fully digested protein to enhance the entire recovery process.

 

 

How Can You Avoid Breakdown?

I make sure to take BCAAs to increase the rate of protein synthesis after I train, making sure gains are made from each and every workout. Evidence? Well, a study in the journal Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise found that BCAA supplementation could contribute to an anabolic environment in the body. More importantly which answers a big question I get asked: there is evidence to suggest that there is a dose-dependent response to BCAAs, i.e. meaning the more you take the better the results. For a lot of you athletes, another great reason to take BCAAs is if for some reason you take time off due to an injury, this supplement will limit the amount of muscle loss and fat gain over that period of time. A study done by the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that after giving BCAAs to rats with their hind limbs immobilized actually helped preserve protein synthesis that regulates muscle growth. The moral of the story is that BCAAs sacrifice themselves as fuel in order to preserve muscle in the body, training or not, a high level of BCAAs in your system can do nothing but help your overall body composition.

 

 

Conclusion

In the fitness world the supplement industry is huge. Everyone claims to have the next cutting edge product that will make you a super human. The real truth is there are no fast secret to success, only hard work, solid nutrition and a smart approach to supplementation. If BCAAs are not part of your nutrition/supplement stack, you need to have room made for them. No question. Other than creating a fuel source for your body and preventing muscles from breaking down that little bit faster than they need to, BCAAs can help stimulate fat loss, and help you get back in the gym after an illness quicker than expected.

 

 If you are serious about your training and desperate to get results get yourself some BCAAs and GAURENTEE you will not be sorry!