Branched Chained Amino Acids (BCAAs) are continually growing in popularity in the fitness industry thanks to their versatility in effects. Best used for recovery, they are also beneficial for anyone looking to add mass or shred some body fat. BCAAs are also able to deliver a good source of energy and if used correctly, can be a powerful supplement to prevent muscle loss. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our Top 10 BCAA Supplements we’ve picked for 2017. Peptides by Elemental Nutrition has done it again. Elemental Nutrition’s Peptide has kept its respected ranking thanks to its combination of di- and tri- peptides that allows for quick absorption. Considering that peptide form amino acids perform better than traditional non-peptide amino acid supplement and that it’s extremely useful in muscle gain and recovery activities, it is no surprise Elemental Nutrition Peptides has been ranked at the top. As one of the best-selling BCAAs on the market, Scivation Xtend has continued to dominate the intra-workout and BCAA category.
Xtend offers the benefits of increased energy, for you to train harder and with better endurance. This premium supplement will definitely be sticking around for a while thanks to its great taste, reasonable pricing and clinically based doses. Elemental Nutrition has continued to produce top products that are both high quality and is always manufactured under strict quality conditions. It helps to fasten recovery especially for those who are active in intense training. The main highlight of the product is the ratio between Leucine to Isoleucine and Valine. As the ratio for Leucine is higher, it helps to reduce DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) after a workout and provide the extra fuel you may need during training. For those interested in this supplement, it is a top quality, versatile product that is definitely one worth considering in this list. Elemental Nutrition 8:1:1 BCAA is recommended and ideally works better when taken as an intra workout or post workout supplement.
Pure Supps is an Australian company that specialises in cost effective, but high quality supplements. Their BCAA product “4:1:1 BCAA” is hard to fault. For its quality, value and effectiveness; Pure Supps 4:1:1 BCAA really does meet the needs of customers. The ratio of 4:1:1 refers to the ratio of Leucine: Isoleucine: Valine. BCAA supplements that are high in leucine are better at preventing the breakdown of muscles and to repair tissues after a workout. This is because leucine is the main catalyst that drives muscle growth. So if you’re after a good quality BCAA at a cost-effective price tag, be sure to keep an eye out for Pure Supps 4:1:1. EHP Labs Beyond BCAA is an intra-workout that supports muscle protein synthesis and decreased muscle breakdown. Delivering scientifically formulated doses of BCAAs, EHP Labs Beyond BCAA has also included the essential B Vitamins, electrolytes, citrulline and Alpha HICA for recovery. With these added ingredients, you’ll be sure you are getting maximum support in energy levels and rehydration capacity from this BCAA supplement.
Packed with high quality BCAAs, glutamine and a phytoblend, this supplement contains all that you need to maximise recovery potential. As a company with a known reputation for utilising the highest quality ingredients, you know you can’t go wrong with Optimum Pro BCAA. It should be noted that Optimum do have two other BCAA products on the market including the new-ish Gold Standard BCAA and the long time favourite BCAA 5000. While all three can easily be used to support your BCAA needs, the Gold Standard BCAA and the Pro BCAA are considered better for athletes and trainers who have tougher training regimens and require faster recovery. The Pro BCAA is best used by advanced athletes, while the Gold Standard BCAA suits intermediate to advanced trainers. Muscletech’s Amino Build Energised has always been a popular BCAA supplement, so it’s no surprise seeing the sequel Amino Build Energized in this list. It includes BCAAs, betaine and taurine for the enhancement of muscular endurance and provides incredible recovery and strength.
Thanks to the energizing component of caffeine, it also helps you feel more refreshed during and after your workout. Evogen, the company that brought us products like Carnigen, Glycoject and EVP Plus has now been recognised for its BCAA supplement Evogen Cell K.E.M or Cellular Kinetic Matrix. It has been acknowledged mainly for its mixture of BCAAs along with vitamins and minerals ensuring trainers are getting all the nutrients they need to recover optimally. It is an effective product that meticulously combines performance enhancing and recovery agents to maximise the body’s anabolic response during intense training. If you are looking for a product that is more well rounded in its approach to muscle recovery, choose Evogen Cell K.E.M. As one of the rapidly growing and newer companies on the market, Platinum Labs has continued to leave its mark in the supplement industry. Providing high quality BCAAs and essential amino acids, Platinum Labs Amino Grow delivers a healthy dose for you to help with performance and recovery.
Platinum Labs Amino Grow is always a good addition for those who want to take their training to the next level. BPM Labs The Key has been recognised as being one of the companies that produces some of the strongest products to the market. The Key helps users unlock their inner potential by helping to boost muscle growth and fat loss. The Key features the branched chain amino acids, B vitamins as well as the fat burning ingredient coffee bean extract; definitely a product worth adding to your stack. Other BCAA supplements that were not far off from making the Top 10 BCAA supplements of 2017 are listed below: Although not strictly necessary, most supplements and Keto work very well together. The only thing you have to be mindful of is the actual carbohydrate content of your supplements. Prefer those that contain very little or no carbs. Although not really needed if you are meeting your suggested protein intake with whole foods, Protein Powders (whey, beef, casein) are a quick and convenient way to increase protein intake.
Aim for whey shakes that have less than 5g carbs per serving. Darthluiggi suggest between 20 to 25g Protein before your strength training sessions. Before you buy any brand of protein (or any other supplement), check for the reputation or effectiveness of the brand. There have been various cases in which the product does not deliver as marketed. For notable cases, read up these posts: The best and “must have” supplement for serious muscle building is Creatine Monohydrate. Along with it, any supplement that contains Caffeine may help you focus and train hard. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, creatine (monohydrate) is the most effective ergogenic (performance-enhancing) nutritional supplement currently available to athletes for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training. “What does creatine do? In a very simplistic manner, creatine becomes a stored form of energy that can be accessed quickly by your body (faster than say, glucose).
People who lift weights take creatine as it lets them eke out an extra rep or two when lifting. Yet creatine is far more useful than that. Creatine itself aids in cellular function. More info: Creatine supplementation with specific view to exercise/sports performance: an update Medium-chain triglycerides are generally considered a good biologically inert source of energy that the human body finds reasonably easy to metabolize. They have potentially beneficial attributes in protein metabolism but may be contraindicated in some situations due to their tendency to induce ketogenesis. Due to their ability to be absorbed rapidly by the body, medium-chain triglycerides have found use in the treatment of a variety of malabsorption ailments. Most fat-burners labelled as thermogenics are a waste of your hard earned money – they are just “glorified” and expensive caffeine pills. The “jolt” you feel by taking them is due to caffeine, which the main ingredient present in most of them.