What are branched-chain amino acids’ main benefits?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    The main benefit of BCAAs are their ability to enhance muscle growth and alleviate muscle fatigue. Studies found that supplementing with BCAAs alone does not provide an optimal muscle protein synthesis response, as all essential amino acids are required for muscle protein synthesis.[1][2] There seems to be a role for BCAA supplementation in increasing muscle protein synthesis if they are taken along with a meal that has an adequate amount of essential amino acids.[2] However, there is no evidence that BCAA supplementation enhances muscle strength or hypertrophy when adequate protein requirements are met.[3] BCAA supplementation for fatigue may be beneficial, based on a meta-analysis of BCAA effects on markers of muscle damage. The results found that BCAA supplementation reduced muscle damage and muscle soreness after exercise, but may not speed up the recovery of muscle performance.[4]

    References

    1. ^Wolfe RRBranched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality?J Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2017 Aug 22)
    2. ^Jackman SR, Witard OC, Philp A, Wallis GA, Baar K, Tipton KDBranched-Chain Amino Acid Ingestion Stimulates Muscle Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis following Resistance Exercise in HumansFront Physiol.(2017 Jun 7)
    3. ^Daniel L Plotkin, Kenneth Delcastillo, Derrick W Van Every, Kevin D Tipton, Alan A Aragon, Brad J SchoenfeldIsolated Leucine and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation for Enhancing Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy: A Narrative ReviewInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2021 May 1)
    4. ^Kenji Doma, Utkarsh Singh, Daniel Boullosa, Jonathan Douglas ConnorThe effect of branched-chain amino acid on muscle damage markers and performance following strenuous exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysisAppl Physiol Nutr Metab.(2021 Nov)