Branched-Chain Amino Acids (or popularly called as BCCA) are valine, leucine, and isoleucine. These are essential for muscle protein synthesis. These are literally the building blocks of your muscles. The major reason for athletes to consume BCAA is to improve muscle recovery and muscle repair. The human body can take some real blows during an intensive workout. Recovering from such a session can take a couple of days. In an extreme case, it can lead to burnout.
With BCAA's, the rate of recovery has improved for strength and muscle soreness. Regardless of our priority, while exercising whether it's weight loss, tone up, or get healthier in general it is usually to improve our body composition. After all, better body composition makes you look more toned.
While exercising, we need more BCAAs to function properly. Why?
When bloodstream levels are too low, the body looks for somewhere to get them. At this stage, it begins breaking down muscle tissue to access the branched-chain amino acids it needs. Consuming BCAA supplements ensures that an adequate level of amino acids is available in the bloodstream, reducing the chances of muscle breakdown. During an intense workout session, it is important to consume slightly higher levels. Which is why we see athletes sipping on a BCAA supplement drink during a workout.
We recommend you go with a BCAA's with 2:1:1 ratio of leucine: isoleucine: valine. With a 2:1:1, you will be getting the necessary amount of Leucine to synthesize protein along with the minimum requirement of Isoleucine and Valine to keep your body alert and burning fat. It is ideal to not overdo the Leucine by increasing the ratio of your BCAA. This can lead to rancid side effects such as muscle pain that can keep you from getting your reps in.