BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids) vid

This new vid I cover BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids). What the facts on BCAA? Greatest thing since the term “anabolic” was invented, or waste of money? I cover that topic in this latest vid and push my new book :smiley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-lAqYRcQi8

The findings of this new study support what I have always recommended regarding additional BCAA and or Leucine, per vid above. :wink:

Supplementation of a suboptimal protein dose with leucine or essential amino acids: effects on myofibrillar protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in men

Published online before print March 25, 2012, doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.228833 The Journal of Physiology,

Tyler A Churchward-Venne1,
Nick A Burd1,
Cameron J Mitchell1,
Daniel WD West1,
Andrew Philp2,
George R Marcotte1,
Steven K Baker1,
Keith Baar2 and
Stuart M Phillips1,3
  • Author Affiliations

    1 McMaster University;
    2 UC Davis

    ↵* Corresponding author; email: phillis@mcmaster.ca

Abstract

Leucine is a nutrient regulator of muscle protein synthesis by activating mTOR and possibly other proteins in this pathway.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of leucine in the regulation of human myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS). Twenty-four males completed an acute bout of unilateral resistance exercise prior to consuming either: a dose (25 g) of whey protein (WHEY); 6.25 g whey protein with total leucine equivalent to WHEY (LEU); or 6.25 g whey protein with total essential amino acids (EAA) equivalent to WHEY for all EAA except leucine (EAA-LEU).

Measures of MPS, signalling through mTOR, and amino acid transporter (AAT) mRNA abundance were made while fasted (FAST), and following feeding under rested (FED) and post-exercise (EX-FED) conditions. Leucinemia was equivalent between WHEY and LEU and elevated compared to EAA-LEU (P = 0.001).

MPS was increased above FAST at 1-3h post-exercise in both FED (P < 0.001) and EX-FED (P < 0.001) conditions with no treatment effect. At 3-5h, only WHEY remained significantly elevated above FAST in EX-FED (WHEY 184% vs. LEU 55% and EAA-LEU 35%; P = 0.036). AAT mRNA abundance was increased above FAST after feeding and exercise with no effect of leucinemia.

In summary, a low dose of whey protein supplemented with leucine or all other essential amino acids was as effective as a complete protein (WHEY) in stimulating postprandial MPS; however only WHEY was able to sustain increased rates of MPS post-exercise and may therefore be most suited to increase exercise-induced muscle protein accretion.

Supplementation of a suboptimal protein dose with leucine or essential amino acids: effects on myofibrillar protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in men