Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—including leucine, isoleucine, and valine—are widely used as dietary supplements to support the muscular system, particularly in athletics and bodybuilding. Scientifically, BCAAs are essential amino acids that play a direct role in muscle protein synthesis, especially leucine, which activates the mTOR pathway involved in muscle growth. Several studies indicate that BCAA supplementation can reduce muscle soreness after exercise (delayed onset muscle soreness) and may decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

However, the overall evidence for BCAAs significantly enhancing muscle mass or strength in people with adequate protein intake is moderate rather than strong. Meta-analyses suggest that while BCAAs may have a small benefit in reducing muscle soreness and promoting recovery, their effects on muscle building are less pronounced than consuming complete proteins like whey, which contain all essential amino acids. BCAAs may be more beneficial in specific contexts, such as for individuals with insufficient dietary protein or during periods of caloric restriction.

In summary, the use of BCAAs to support the muscular system is grounded in scientific rationale, with moderate evidence supporting their role in muscle recovery and mild support for muscle growth, particularly when total protein intake is suboptimal.

More about BCAA
More about Muscles

Other ingredients that support Muscles

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adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
animal protein
animal Tissue
Anserina
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
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arnica
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
avocado
ba ji tian
banana
BCAA
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Biopeptide
black galingale
black ginger
black gram
Black willow
blue cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
brown rice protein
C-phycocyanin
caffeine
calcium
camphor oil
cardarine
Carnosine
casein
Cetylated Fatty Acids
cherry
chia seed
chickpea protein
Chinese mountain ant
chloride
chuchuhuasi
citrate malate
coca
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coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cramp bark
creatine
creatine monohydrate
Curcuma
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Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanotis vaga
Cyathula
d-alpha tocopherol
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date
deer velvet
devil's claw
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipeptide
Dipsacus
DL-Methionine
dong quai root
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
elk antler
emu oil
epicatechin
epistane
Erythrina
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Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
eucommia
Eurycoma Longifolia
fatty acids
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glucose
Glutamine
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Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
guanidinoacetic acid
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guelder rose
Haematococcus pluvialis
hairy arnica
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hydroxymethylbutyrate
icariin
Iporuru
iron
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
kale
ketosterones
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
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L-citrulline
L-glutamine
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l-isoleucine
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L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
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lactalbumin
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Lentein
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lipids
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
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Marjoram
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Milk
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nicotinamide riboside
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ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pea
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
polyphenols
potash
potassium
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
protein
proteolytic enzymes
Puerain
pyruvate
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specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
squawvine
suma
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trace minerals
Tribulus Terrestris
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Turkesterone
turmeric
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ubiquinol
Urolithin A
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vitamin D
vitamin D3
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Other body systems supported by BCAA

Brain
Immune System
Liver
Muscles

Products containing BCAA

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.