Questioning whether you need to add a BCAA supplement to your regime? Generally speaking, BCAAs can increase training intensity and reduce recovery time. Through enhancing muscle hypertrophy and reducing muscle break down, BCAAs have become one of the most widely used health supplements. However, not all BCAA supplements are created equal and you are right to question the ability of supplement absorption. TRI-PEP is a new designer BCAA supplement, chemically structured to be absorbed and utilised by muscles. Â
What are BCAAs?
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential amino acids AKA basic building blocks of proteins. They are essential because the body is unable to make them, so you need to consume them in your diet.
Since the 1980s sports scientists have been investigating BCAAs for their specific use in aiding muscle recovery 1 The scientific literature now recognises that BCAAs not only make up proteins, but also play an important role in activating metabolic pathways, which enhance protein synthesis (such as the MTOR pathway). As a result, BCAAs play an integral role in muscle recovery, growth and performance.
Who can benefit from BCAA supplementation?
Due to their integral role in protein synthesis, BCAAs are already an established fundamental supplement for serious gym-goers looking to primarily build muscle mass. Their effect is two-fold — they help you hit the weights with more intensity (reducing the effects of fatigue by counteracting increasing serotonin levels) AND they encourage training consistency via reducing muscle soreness and recovery time.
BUT the benefits of BCAAs are not limited to hypertrophy based ambitions. People with other health goals such as fat loss, improving muscle endurance, attenuating muscle loss with aging and/or maintenance of general well-being should not overlook this supplement.
Whilst it is widely accepted that BCAAs play a role in muscle building, the latest research is also uncovering a beneficial role BCAAs play in improving immune function and decreasing harmful inflammation in muscles. Excessive fat, muscle loss with aging and numerous disease states are associated with excessive inflammation, abnormal immune response and consequently an increase in muscle breakdown!2 As such, BCAAs are an upcoming supplement for people with a wide range of health goals that will be benefit from a suppression of muscle breakdown.
Fact: Exercise requires nutritional support
The fact is that exercise increases energy expenditure and promotes the use of BCAAs. As a result, levels of protein synthesis are actually decreased during exercise. This is why people say, muscles are torn in the gym and made in the kitchen. While exercise results in micro tears, which are essential for providing the stimulus to build stronger muscles, the correct nutritional support including BCAA supplementation is key for enabling muscles to efficiently rebuild post-exercise.
YET not all BCAA supplements are made equal. With supplements, it always comes down to BOTH quantity and quality.
This is where TRI-PEP BCAA excels:
Quantity: Firstly, there are 9 BCAAs amino acids. TRI-PEP incorporates the three amino acids predominantly metabolised in the muscle (Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine), with established benefits in the scientific literature. With 10g per serve, you can be sure that you are providing enough of the most important nutritional muscle building material.
- Quality: Anyone who buys supplements has probably been accused of essentially buying expensive pee. Sadly it is true: not all nutrients that are consumed are effectively absorbed and used effectively. But don’t fear science has come a long way since the 1980s. The latest techniques are enabling scientists to make designer amino acids; superior to the free form of amino acids found in most out-dated BCAA supplements.
- TRI-PEP uses unique designer amino acids (hence the fancy prefix: Glycyl-Alanyl), to essentially package the amino acids to enhance absorption. Rest assured, with TRI-PEP your muscles will actually absorb what you consume.
…But let’s not get too caught up in science – you can only actually consume a supplement that tastes decent right? TRI-PEP utilizes an exclusive HYDRA-SORB™ process that maximizes mixability and taste when mixed with water or your favourite beverage.
Just encase you want further evidence based reading, check out these scientific reviews:
- Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system. Negro M1, Giardina S, Marzani B, Marzatico F.J Sports Med Phys Fitness.2008 Sep;48(3):347-51.
- Branched-chain amino acid supplementation attenuates muscle soreness, muscle damage and inflammation during an intensive training program. Matsumoto K1, Koba T, Hamada K, Sakurai M, Higuchi T, Miyata H. J Sports Med Phys Fitness.2009 Dec;49(4):424-31.