BCAAs Part II: When to Take Them

Posted by CJ on Sep 23rd, 2010 in Featured, Nutrition, Supplements | 0 comments

A while ago Fit True informed its fans on what BCAAs are. You can read that article here.

Once you know what BCAAs are the next question is when is the best time to take BCAAs? The general answer is any time you want. You can even supplement them for your protein source in meals on occasion. However, there are essential times that BCAAs should be taken. Those times are before and during your workout.

Here’s why:

When you are working out you are breaking down muscle. When you supplement with BCAAs you supply your body with the nutrients it needs to repair those muscles as quickly as possible.

Step 1

Take BCAAs about 30 minutes before you workout. This will ensure that when you start your workout there will be BCAAs in your blood stream ready to be delivered to working ready to recover muscle.

Step 2

Continue to take BCAAs while you are working out. 80% of your blood will be in the skeletal muscles during a workout as opposed to about 12% at rest. This is the most opportune time for BCAA uptake as blood is the carrier of all nutrients in the body. This will continue to enable the body to repair muscles immediately as they are being broken down during workouts (You did realize that muscles are breaking down during workouts and the recovery is when the muscles are becoming more tone, strong, or larger depending on HOW you workout?).

Don’t wait until after a workout to take BCAAs. By that time the blood is beginning to leave the muscles offering less of a chance for maximum nutrient delivery.

The reason for taking BCAAs at these two critical times instead of a regular whey protein powder is simple. Protein needs to be broken down by the body into amino acids before it can be used as I describe in Part 1. By taking BCAAs your body doesn’t have to digest it because it is already in its simplest form. Therefore, they can get into the blood stream almost instantly. You want those BCAAs to be ready for use as quickly as possible and you don’t want the body to have to worry about digestion while it’s in an intense workout at the same time.

That’s the skinny on BCAAs. They’re a good all around supplement to take. Are by far and away the #1 supplement to take to enhance recovery. And enhanced recovery means you can get back to the gym even faster. OK, or just get along with enjoying life without as much recovery time.