The Surprising Limits of BCAAs and How This Can Help You Break Through to Your Next Level

by Dr. David Minkoff June 07, 2018 3 min read

Skier standing at the top of a snowy mountain looking for their next path.

If you want to be fasted for a work out, don’t want to lose muscle mass, and still get all the benefits from growth hormone and testosterone, you need amino acids.  

But you also need to be very careful with the amino acids you get. Most of what’s out there are Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) and this is just not enough.   Kind of like trying to build a bicycle with a seat and a bunch of tires. You see, you need all 8 of the essential amino acids to build a protein. 3 of them are BCAAs but you technically need all of them to build that bicycle, or that muscle.

The 8 essential amino acids (EAAs) are just that. They are essential and are actually everything you need for protein building or repair but they don’t contain the calories, so you can still be in a fasted state and won’t have an insulin spike.

That’s a stark contrast between (for example) a big calorie protein shake or a pre-workout supplement loaded with stimulants that will make you crash later.

Essential Amino Acids have virtually no calories, so you still have to burn your own fuel, nor do they have any stimulant effect.

Take a look at the article below. BCAAs are good and necessary, but there’s much more to it…


 

The Dark Side of BCAAs

There is a lot of confusion about amino acids, especially between branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and essential amino acids (EAAs).

This is a small but critical detail to understand so you can make an informed decision based on biological reality instead of marketing.

Whether you are training for competitions or simply striving for optimal health, this simple change can make a massive difference in your health and performance.

 

The Real Difference Between EAA and BCAA

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Every amino acid has the same basic structure with a special “customized” side chain. The side chain gives each amino acid unique properties.

Our bodies use 22 different amino to build all the protein in your body: everything from enzymes to fingernails to muscle.

Now of these 22, there are 8 of them that we cannot make on our own. We must get them from our diet. These are called Essential Amino Acids.

Of these 8 essential amino acids, 3 of them have a side chain called a “branched chain.” These are BCAAs.

 

What’s so Great About a Branched Chain?

These 3 amino acids became famous because they are processed directly in muscle tissue.

But while this makes BCAAs useful fuel during a workout, they fall short of the full benefits of using amino acids. They rely exclusively on the catabolic pathway, the “fuel pathway.”

Without the rest of the essential amino acids, it is impossible to build muscle tissue with BCAAs.

Your cells don't’ have the right ingredients.

To go anabolic, you need EAAs.

 

How to go Anabolic During Your Workout

Most amino acid products on the market are BCAAs, but what the BCAA marketing machine doesn’t tell you is that all essential amino acids, not just BCAAs can be processed directly in muscle tissue.

With all 8 essential amino acids, you activate the anabolic pathway.You can build and repair muscle during the workout instead of merely preventing breakdown with BCAAs.

Even in the middle of a race.

EAAs induce “active recovery” – which means even greater results from your workout, less damage to your tissue, and overall better health.

 

The Trinity of Optimal Performance: EAAs, Fasting and Hormones

The benefits of EAAs don't’ stop there. You can take it one step further.

Many studies have shown massive benefits by working out in a fasted state. This stimulates the natural production of powerful hormones like testosterone and growth hormone – both of which lead to even greater results in your training.

Instead of hitting a wall or shutting down from tissue damage and lack of fuel, you can dig deeper, go farther push harder, and recover faster.

Because EAAs are processed directly in tissue, they do not raise insulin levels. There are only 4 calories per serving, so you remain in a fasted state. This gives you the best of both worlds: active recovery with anabolic EAAs PLUS increased hormone production.

 

Get the Most Out of Your Training with Perfect Amino

If you want to experience the difference a balanced formula of essential amino acids can make in your workout, your health, and your recovery, try Perfect Amino. It’s the original doctor-designed EAA formula for optimal performance and health.

It’s 100% vegan, very few calorie super fuel to help gain muscle, repair injuries, curb cravings, and be at your best.

Try it today.

Your results may surprise you.

Click here to go anabolic in your workout with Perfect Amino.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.