Amino Acids to the Rescue

Branched-Chain Amino Acids are made up of three essential aminos – leucine, isoleucine and valine. 

They are essential, meaning we have to get them in our diet because our bodies don’t produce them. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein which make up our body’s muscle and have various functions related to energy production during and after exercise.

BCAAs are found in foods containing protein, such as chicken, beef, salmon, eggs and whey protein. Aminos can can also be supplemented, which is extremely useful for athletes because they are free-form, require no digestion, and can be rapidly absorbed directly into the bloodstream for immediate use. This is key because the more BCAAs that are present in the muscles, the more they will be used for energy, slowing the breakdown of muscle cells and preventing muscle loss.

BCAAs have been shown to have many benefits but, their primary role is to increase protein synthesis and reduce the amount of muscle damage that occurs with strenuous resistance training.

The equation is simple:

Muscle Mass = rate of protein synthesis – rate of protein breakdown.

So, if BCAAs can enhance protein synthesis and reduce protein breakdown, you are sure to see those muscle grow!

Dieting is a catabolic process which can lead to muscle loss. The body will break down proteins within the muscle to free amino acids for fuel. Reduced energy intake through dieting will only further promote protein breakdown and decrease protein synthesis. This is a perfect storm for muscle loss, making BCAAs an essential line of defense.

Studies have also shown that BCAA supplementation before and after exercise has beneficial effects in terms of accelerating recovery time following intense training. Several studies suggest that BCAAs influence delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and the markers of muscle damage associated with intense exercise. Less muscle damage and soreness means faster recovery, and the quicker you recover, the sooner you can go hard again in the gym again.

As if all that wasn’t enough, BCAA supplements are also performance enhancers. Exercise causes an increase in serotonin levels, which in turn increase the “perception of fatigue”. BCAAs inhibit the production of serotonin, therefore allowing you to work out for longer, push harder, and lift even more weight! Simply put, whether you are looking to build muscle through training, spare muscle when dieting, accelerate your recovery time, or enhance your performance, BCAAs are a vital tool that should be incorporated into every athlete’s supplement regimen.

Evogen’s AminoJect provides the highest quality ingredients in an awesome tasting formula that is packed with not only BCAA’s, but also glutamine and betaine to accelerate recovery. AminoJect contains 6 grams of fermented L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine, 5 grams of fermented L-Glutamine and 1 gram of Betaine. It's a premium amino acid accelerator that offers maximum endurance, recovery and repair.

As I head into my prep for the upcoming Arnold Classic Fitness International, AminoJect will continue to be an essential tool in my arsenal.  It’s an integral part of my supplement regimen on both my training and non-training days. My training will be intense and I’m definitely going to rely on AminoJect to maximize my lean gains while fighting off potential muscle loss as I dial in to hit the stage looking and performing my best.

Training Days: 

1-2 scoops AminoJect intra-workout

Non-Training Days: 

1-2 scoops AminoJect throughout the day

Favorite Flavor: Blue Raspberry AminoJect

Related Article: BCAA and EAA Supplements: Can They Co-Exist and Compliment Each Other?