At present, in the domestic fitness supplement market, whey protein powder and muscle building powder have been generally recognized, while more advanced nutritional supplements are only more popular among more "professional" players. In fact, in foreign countries, foreigners prefer to supplement convenient tablet or capsule nutrition. Among them, branched-chain amino acid soft capsules are one of them.
What are branched chain amino acids? I have heard similar conversations in the gym more than once: "What nutrition do you take after your workout now?" "I drink a whey protein powder after a workout" "Huh? Are you still drinking whey protein powder?" Yeah. What do you drink without whey protein powder?" "I eat BCAA!!" "BCAA??????"
Then when I saw others hearing the word BCAA with a dazed face, I suddenly felt how awesome I was. Believe it or not, this happens in gyms from time to time. BCAA is not an advanced supplement, it is what we often call branched-chain amino acids.
What is the relationship between whey protein and branched-chain amino acids?
In simple terms, branched-chain amino acids are derived from the metabolites of whey protein. After whey protein is metabolized by the human body, it will generate a variety of amino acids and many other substances, among which there are branched chain amino acids in this large group of metabolites.
BCAAs directly promote muscle synthesis and reduce muscle breakdown. So, in other words, we often say that drinking protein powder can increase muscle, but in the final analysis, it is the product of the decomposition of the protein used - branched chain amino acids.
Continue to look at the relationship diagram below, I believe everyone will understand better:
After reading it, I understand, here comes the question:
Should I choose whey protein powder or just use BCAAs? It seems that BCAA is more convenient and cheaper?
But while the core nutrient for muscle synthesis and reduced breakdown is BCAA. However, from the perspective of the role of other components of whey protein, its role is irreplaceable. Consuming whey protein is not only helpful for muscle synthesis and growth, but also the benefits of other aspects of the body should not be underestimated.
Here are a few aspects to explain how to choose whey protein powder and BCAA:
1. Beginners: eat whey protein powder;
2. Those with a certain foundation and slow muscle growth: whey protein powder + BCAA;
3. Those who eat protein powder get angry: eat BCAA;
4. Lazy people who don’t even want to make protein powder: eat BCAA;
5. People who don't like the taste of protein powder: eat BCAA;
6. Poor immunity and poor gastrointestinal function: eat whey protein powder.
7. Lactose intolerance, drink protein powder for diarrhea: eat BCAA.