Everyone talks about how efficient BCAA’s are for getting into your system, so my question is during a cutting phase wouldn’t it be better to replace 2-3 supplemental protein shakes everyday with 10-20 grams of BCAA’s. Overall it would mean less calories, but still enough building blocks for muscle, right? Someone help me out before I start screwing up my muscle growth.
Just want to bump this up. Interested in hearing what people, especially John B have to say.
I would keep both your protien and branch chains high to prevent catabolism, I usually would just hit 6 grams of glutamine post workout and 6 grams prior to bedtime, but alot of companies like so cal sports (scss) and Cytodyne are pushing out perfect pre-contest branch chains in pill form that really work quite well, It’s all depending on how much money you are willing to dump into pills and powders I suppose.
But wouldn’t it be better calorie wise to just consume the BCAA’s and not the protein shakes in between your solid meals? I would think that it would help you get cut faster without to much catabolism.
Heres an idea i’ve long considered and think it will work for diets. If you are gonna do morning cardio, drink like 2 or 3 servings of Glutacene before and like 2 during. According to Dr. Serrano, glutamine can be utilized as glucose, through a complex non ideal way. Glutacene is pretty good tasting and is BCAAS and glutamine. Right now though, i bought universal nutrition’s BCAA Stack, its a glutacene clone, i got at nutripeak for cheaper.
man did that sound like a sales pitch.
D-Man, Would you only take the glutacene before cardio, or would you drink it throughout the day instead of protein shakes?
you could try either, i would serriously consider doing it before and during morning cardio (protein sparing, so what else you gonna burn?- fat i hope). THe prob with drinking it all day is its expensive. the grape does taste pretty good though.
NO! NO! NO! These BCAA marketers are really doing their job well, though, arent they? BCAA are just 3 amino acids. The body requires at least 12 amino acids for protein synthesis. Giving just 3 wont do squat for protein synthesis or preventing protein breakdown. Eating lots of protein will give you all the BCAAs you need during the day while at the same time giving you other aminos you need. The only time BCAA may be useful is during training (due to the fact that you shouldnt consume protein during training) and after to get a synergistic insulin response with the carbs.
Mr. Berardi, what 12 aminos are required for protein synthesis? I’m looking to get lean as fast as possible, and I thought by supplementing with aminos as opposed to protein shakes I could cut calories and still mantain muscle mass while shedding fat. Am I wrong in thinking this way?
What kcalories are you trying to avoid? I ask because most of the “good quality” amino acids supplements are derived from protein and are “naturally present”. Meaning that you’ll be getting the kcals from protein anyway. And if you’re trying to avoid protein kcals isn’t that a little excessive?
John, do you know where I can read more about why you shouldn’t consume protein during a workout… or maybe just the general science behind it. Thanks!
john according to Doc Serrano, there is a high amount of BCAAS in blood when you break down muscle. There is also a high amount when you take BCAAS orally, enough to trigger your body to be more stingy and try and stop muscle catabolism, or something like that.