Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are great supplements for bodybuilders, athletes, and all active people. BCAAs have been popular for many years due to their many health benefits. They contain a combination of the amino acids leucine, iso-leucine, and valine. These are classified as “essential” amino acids because the body does not produce them naturally, meaning you have to get them from your diet or from supplement sources. Some other essential amino acids include lysine, tryptophan, methionine, and phenylalanine.

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BCAA Benefits:
*Provides essential & non-essential amino acids
*Builds, maintains & repairs tissue
*Improves muscle recovery & growth
*Supports physical performance

Amino Acids
The amino acids that the body can produce on its own are called “non-essential” amino acids, which is a bit of a misnomer. All amino acids are actually essential for proper metabolic function, and many are needed for other bodily processes as well. Some of the main non-essential amino acids are: glutamine, alanine, cysteine, tyrosine, arginine, glutamic acid, and proline.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Branched-chain amino acids are best known for their effects on exercise performance. When BCAAs are digested, they are put to work in many parts of the body building and repairing tissues, producing special chemicals for the brain, and more. Supplementation with BCAAs can lead to faster muscle recovery, improved metabolism, more energy for workouts, and a reduction in muscle catabolism (tissue breakdown). BCAAs get their name from their unique branched chemical structure, which is fundamental to the body’s complex construction.

BCAAs & Physical Performance
BCAAs are especially important for physically active people because they are metabolized within the muscle tissue rather than inside the liver. After they break down and digest protein, individual amino acids work to build new proteins, which are then burned to produce natural energy. These helpful amino acids provide intra-cellular protein fractions, which are metabolically significant to muscle performance and integrity. BCAA supplements can therefore be very beneficial for athletes and other fitness enthusiasts.