What it does: BCAAs—comprised of the essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine—play a key role in muscle protein synthesis, which is the process your body uses to build and repair muscle tissue. They help reduce muscle breakdown during exercise, decrease muscle soreness post-workout, and support faster muscle recovery. Leucine, in particular, is known to activate a pathway that stimulates muscle growth, making BCAAs a crucial element for anyone looking to improve performance and endurance.
Why you need it: When starting a workout routine, muscle soreness can become a significant obstacle, making it hard to stay consistent. BCAAs provide targeted support to reduce post-workout soreness, enabling faster recovery between sessions. This allows you to keep up your exercise routine without prolonged discomfort or delays. Additionally, BCAAs can be beneficial for those training in a fasted state, as they help preserve muscle tissue by minimizing muscle breakdown. By incorporating BCAAs into your regimen, you can support muscle repair, enhance endurance, and maintain consistency in your fitness journey—whether you’re new to exercise or looking to optimize your results as an experienced athlete.