Optimum Nutrition (199 Reviews) {{group.salePriceDisplay}} †‡ ANABOLIC & ANTI-CATABOLIC SUPPORT* The Branched Chain Amino Acids Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine are valued for their anabolic and anti-catabolic properties. Used in the 2:1:1 ratio before and/or after endurance exercise they may help spare muscle tissue. Used after strength training, BCAAs help kick-start protein synthesis which plays an important role in muscle growth. We also included 5 grams of L-Glutamine because this conditionally essential amino acid may help support recovery after intense exercise.* 8 Grams of BCAAs per Serving 5 Grams of L-Glutamine per Serving Superior taste and Mixability Electrolytes for Muscle Function Support* Available Flavored & Unflavored for Stacking BEYOND THE BASICS / MORE GLUTAMINE / MORE SUPPORT Out of 10Excellent Optimum Nutrition Write a ReviewWrite a Review 9.1 | Products in the Store are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
VERIFIED BUYERS ONLY (132)ALL REVIEWS (199) This stuff mixes completely with water....This means that it is NOT BCAA.But if you do, the fruit punch tastes good. I love the raspberry lemonade flavor. I take it it before workouts. 10Raspberry Lemonade No written review. 10Fruit Punch Great tasting product from a well know nutrition company.I Use before,during and after workouts. You can use it anytime of the day. I've been loving this product. Having 8 grams of BCAA's is great. The taste is really good, mixes great, and no after taste. I will use it as a pre workout and add a few other ingredients to it on days I train later at night. Optimum once again impresses me with a quality product. This stuff mixes completely with water....10Fruit Punch First time trying this product and I love the variety of flavors. Definitely see a difference in adding this into my workouts. 10Peach Mango No written review. You don't have permission to access the requested object. It is either read-protected or not readable by the server.
If you think this is a server error, please contactA group from The Stockton College of New Jersey tested six (very) popular protein supplements for their actual Branched Chain Amino Acid Content and compared that with the BCAA claims made on the package. The group was comprised of the GNC house brand, Muscle Milk, BSN’s Syntha 6, Isoflex, Cellucor, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey (which I usually recommended until now), and their Hydrowhey (another product I commonly had recommended until seeing these tests).Here’s a look at the abstract (or you can skip ahead to the chart below, which breaks down product claims versus actual amounts):None of the products were even close to their claimed level of BCAAs…The following chart represents the results from the study, with the product name to the far left, the actual (tested) milligrams of BCAA in the center column, and the amount of claimed milligrams to the right:I don’t understand how Syntha 6 is so low, or how GNC could have two grams of BCAA when the claim is 15.
But the abstract is out there, as is the poster presentation, so these companies have some explaining to do, and some tests to refute (if they can), because right now they look pretty awful…And the way class action and Lanham Act lawsuits have been flying around the industry, I wouldn’t be surprised to see BCAA-based actions shortly.Here's the poster presentation:H/T to Adel and Suppversity.(Editing Note: The previous poster was replaced by a higher resolution .jpg)Show all reviewsLove this stuff!Been a faithful user of this pre-workout for years, and LOVE it.Yum Yum for the Tum Tum...I love this productFlavor: Concord Grape|Amino energy, great for those trying to kick pre-workoutsSolid Powder, Great priceFlavor: Fruit Fusion|I love Optimum Nutrition Amino EnergyFlavor: Strawberry Lime|Healthy coffee/energy drink replacementFlavor: Iced Café Vanilla Latte|I love the taste of the watermelon the best out of ...I like this for after workout!Get fast answers from reviewers See all 110 answered questions
What do customers buy after viewing this item?Best SellingCellucor C4 Pre Workout Supplements with Creatine, Nitric Oxide, Beta Alanine and...850Top RatedOptimum Nutrition - Essential Amino Energy 65 Servings Orange Cooler - 1.29 lbs.70Lowest PriceOptimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy Lemon Lime 30/Srv60Need customer service? All CategoriesAmino AcidsAgmatineBCAA/EAABeta-AlanineGlutamineOther Amino AcidsRecovery Products with low-quality reviews (61) Products with no reviews (291) Products reported as discontinued (71) Don't see a product? Chances are, you’ve heard of BCAAs, aka the Branched Chain Amino Acids. Those magical, mysterious letters are seemingly everywhere in the supplement universe; often plastered in vivid color on nearly every jug of protein powder, pre-workout, and amino acid-based recovery drink. And the claims attached are lucrative. I’m having visions of the the 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 sequence in LOST. But unlike most of the garbage that’s veiled by proprietary blends and tossed into the myriad workout cocktails circulating GNC, BCAAs aren’t all hype.
And they’re not a filler ingredient. They actually have real, tangible benefits, and can provide a lift for anyone that trains regularly, including increased muscle growth, turbocharged endurance, improved body composition, and significantly reduced post-workout soreness — both for the casual lifter and seasoned vets alike. We’re digging deep, sifting through the shelves, and ranking 54 of the most popular BCAA supplements. The Branched Chain Amino Acids are a group of 3 essential amino acids, specifically: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They make up about 40% of the TOTAL amino acid content in the body—the largest of any group—with about 18% concentrated in muscle tissue. You already get an influx of BCAAs naturally from dietary protein sources and protein powder, but supplemental amounts can carry major benefits. First, a little context. While most amino acids are first broken down and processed by the liver, the BCAAs are unique in that they shuttle straight to muscle cells.
They’re a direct line of fuel, which has MAJOR perks — both on performance and muscle growth. Your body is a ridiculously complex ecosystem. At a very fundamental level, constructing new muscle tissue comes down to protein balance. The body is constantly churning through amino acids (from the protein you eat). When your muscles are flooded with amino acids and in a blissful state of surplus, they use the excess to synthesize protein, which enhances recovery and ultimately helps build new muscle tissue. But when you’re undernourished and/or working out excessively, which creates a deficit, the body uses the AAs it does have for energy production and general functioning (read: not gains). Worst case, it actually starts breaking down existing muscle tissue to steal the amino acids it needs. Unless that protein balance stays at a net positive, you WILL lose muscle mass over time — and that’s why eating a waterfall of protein everyday is so critical. Think of your amino acid pool as a bathtub without a drain plug.
Your amino acids are constantly being drained, especially during exercise. The only way to keep it full is with a steady stream of new amino acids. We’re talking buckets on buckets, in the form of HQ dietary protein or supplementary BCAAs. Protein breakdown happens when your diet is carb-heavy and low in protein (i.e. America), you’re in a fasted state, or in a chronic caloric deficit from dieting. You’re not getting the amino acids required to support muscle growth. But let’s say you’re a protein-chomping powerhouse. For anyone who exercises religiously and trains like a beast, amino acid depletion and muscle breakdown happen naturally as a direct result of intense training. Distance cardio, incendiary workouts, and marathon training sessions (usually >1 hour) all quickly deplete the body’s energy stores; namely glycogen, your stored source of carbs. But once those tanks are empty—depending on duration and intensity—it starts dipping into your amino acid pool.
And that’s where the issues begin. Think about how most people approach weight loss. They slash calories and hop on the elliptical for an hour. It works, but it’s a horrible strategy, mainly because you’re churning up muscle tissue in the process. Sure you’ll lose weight, but if a large chunk of that is muscle, your body fat percentage might actually increase. Your strategy: shield your muscle with an infusion of BCAAs. Chugging BCAAs works twofold, both on the positive and negative end of the spectrum, depending on your training and nutritional status: Not only can BCAAs help optimize protein balance, but given their direct pathway to muscle cells, they act as an effective energy source during training. A quick pre-workout injection can help boost endurance and delay fatigue, especially as your tanks start to empty — think of it as a reserve fuel tank, beyond what your body’s capable of storing naturally. That’s why you should be taking them before an intense workout, and during a marathon sweat session.
You’ll go harder, LONGER. Beyond muscle growth and preservation, they have a VERY tangible benefit. BCAA supplementation can help accelerate recovery (again, because the muscles are flooded with free amino acids) and significantly reduce post-workout soreness (DOMS). They absolutely zap muscle soreness, to the point that it often dissipates completely. While there is some established science to support the reduced soreness claim, I’ve personally noticed a massive difference both in my own training and with clients. Ultimately, that helps increase overall training capacity and volume — it also makes the squats you did so much more bearable a day later. You’ll barely feel a thing. Branch out and expand your supplement stack. We tore apart the BCAA universe—54 products deep—analyzed the field, and pulled out the best value plays based on a number of criteria. Here’s what we considered: We’ve only included products that are primarily BCAA driven;
for powders, that means >4g of total BCAAs per serving (there’s a full-blown market for broader amino acid blends). For convenience, we’ve broken out the rankings into flavored powders, unflavored powders, and capsules. Every product class has its individual flaws — flavored powders are mostly gushing with artificial sweeteners and dyes; unflavored powders taste utterly repulsive; and if you’re taking BCAAs in capsule form, you’ll need to down 10+ pills just to get an adequate dose. We recommend taking a flavored powder that sits on the natural end of the spectrum. Unflavored varieties are REALLY hard to stomach. But hey, if you’re game, it’s a healthier route (try tossing a scoop in a glass of OJ, or anything else acidic). Dosing: As a general guide, we recommend a BCAA supplement for anyone that consumes inadequate protein and/or that follows a rigorous training schedule. Take 5-10 grams of BCAAs pre- and post- workout. You can also guzzle a serving during the day to optimize muscle growth (especially if you’re cutting calories or fasting).