BCAA – leucine, isoleucine and valine – are three essential (meaning that body cannot synthesize them by itself) amino acids with branched side chains. Three of them stand for almost 40% of dry muscle mass, so they are important part of that tissue. Supplementation of leucine, isoleucine and valine is usually recommended in 2:1:1 ratio, because in this ratio those amino acids appears in muscles.

Amino acids and BCAA are “anabolic blocks”, that are needed for building strong and hard as a rock muscles. Consuming amino acids, in opposition to more complex protein supplements, doesn’t require digestion. After consumption, amino acids can be absorbed from small intestine into the bloodstream and further into working muscle cells, which shortens the time of absorption and lower energy expenditure from the body already burdened with workout. Main purpose of consuming protein and amino acids is to use them in anabolic processes: synthesizing new muscle proteins and repair ones damaged during the intensive workout. During periods of increased activity, when body is deprived of all other energy sources, protein can be used as a “fuel”, which leads to unwanted catabolism and muscle breakdown. Consuming BCAA before workout protects muscle protein from breakdown, because it’s the branched chain amino acids are converted into glucose and can be used as an alternative source of energy. high level of BCAA during workout can lower serotonin production in the brain, which leads to postpone and decrease fatigue.