BCAA
Limited nutritional benefit
Branched-chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine in a 2:1:1 ratio, unflavoured powder.
BCAA powder holds three of the nine essential amino acids, with leucine, the one that switches on muscle protein synthesis, at half the weight. Without the other six the body cannot build much muscle protein from it, so a BCAA drink does less than the same grams of whey, which carries all nine plus about 2.5 g of leucine per scoop. On a diet that already reaches its protein target it adds close to nothing; its honest niche is a calorie-light drink during long fasted sessions. It is counted here as protein, as labels do, but its protein lowers the day's amino-acid score because six essential amino acids are missing.
As a supplement
Supplement page: dosing, interactions, lab tests →A usual adult range, not a national label — the dose and the timing differ by country and by product.
Used for
- Physical performance
What to know while taking it
Timing is flexible and food makes little difference. The point worth spelling out is the one on the label: these are not a complete protein source. Building muscle protein needs the full set of essential amino acids present together, so where total protein intake is already adequate a BCAA drink adds little, and where intake is low it cannot stand in for real protein or for a complete amino acid blend. Free amino acids are absorbed quickly, and a concentrated drink taken alone can unsettle the stomach.
When to see a doctor
Liver or kidney disease, or any known disorder of amino acid metabolism, is a reason to see a doctor before using concentrated amino acids; lasting fatigue or loss of muscle despite training and supplementing points to a diet problem that deserves proper assessment.
Worth knowing
- Not a complete protein source
Reference information, not medical advice. Discuss any change with your doctor.
Macronutrients Distribution
Basic Nutritional Info
| Nutrient | Value | DV |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 95g | 169.6% |
| Fat | 1g | 1.4% |
| Carbs | 0g | 0.0% |
| Simple Sugars | 0g | Estimate |
| Complex Carbs | 0g | Estimate |
| Fiber | 0g | 0.0% |
| Water | 3g | 0.1% |
| Calories | 380 | 16.9% |
Essential Amino Acids
| Amino Acid | Amount | Unit | DV | DIAAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Histidine | - | — | ||
| Isoleucine | 23750 | mg | 1696.4% | 833% |
| Leucine | 47500 | mg | 1739.9% | 820% |
| Lysine | - | — | ||
| Methionine | - | — | ||
| Phenylalanine | - | — | ||
| Threonine | - | — | ||
| Tryptophan | - | — | ||
| Valine | 23750 | mg | 1304.9% | 625% |
Compare with other products
Values per 100 g
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