The Truth About BCAAs and EAAs - Are They Worth It?

In this QUAH Sal, Adam, & Justin answer the question “EAAs vs BCAAs, are they both useless for the average gym-goer? ”

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“the Truth About BCAAs and EAAs“

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[ericwu]

Whey protein and BCAA are different. BCAA takes minimal processes of digestion to get absorbed. So it works best when your body needs a bulk of amino acids to maximize the synthesis of protein. You may argue the difference may not be significant. But the mechanism is there. You are free to choose what you believe.

[Godblessed]

When I take Beverly BCAA’s I feel more clean energy and better over all. Busy mom and grandma here. I use it as needed and I’m telling you it was a game changer for my chronic fatigue

[SohBayDa]

This makes SOOO much sense. I’m a vegetarian and I kept seeing how bad or unnecessary BCAAs were and I was confused cus It’s helped me so much with recovery. I workout 6 days a week and I’m never sore when I drink my BCAAs during my workout. I’m not always consistent with my protein intake so now I understand why it’s been so beneficial for me. Thanks!

[ekkomillion]

EXCELLENT.
This HIGH QUALITY CONTENT is why I won’t stop watching this channel.

[johnplony]

I do agree with this but Ive been training 6 days a week consistently for years now and have been on a high protein diet the whole time. I also usually take bcaas to help me recover from my workouts, reduce fatigue while working out, etc. I definitely notice the difference in my size, strength and energy when I dont take bcaas from when I do have them. They help me a lot. My suggestion is, find out what works best for YOU. They work for me. I can usually get 2-3 more reps on each exercise when I throw bcaas into the mix.

[kierharris]

I have stomach issues and this helps me get even more protein in my diet. I can't take a protein powder BEFORE working out or I feel nauseous. I can take regular protein at other times of the day, but BCAAs help me get more protein in my diet without sabotaging my workouts.

For someone with adequate protein intake, I totally understand, but they definitely help me.

[Jigsaw]

BCAAs for me really just help with the recovery aspect, I take them to help with the muscle soreness combined with ZMA and that works like a charm.

[buzz]

In my opinion, EAAs intra workout have some benefits to it. Since you are actually breaking down muscles during your training, these can help with better recovery. But that's just my opinion. Results might be negligible, but it's still results.I myself on roids, so I think it would be more beneficial for me.

[phoenix-]

I think the greatest use of BCAA's is when you're in a calorie deficit and not quite getting enough protein.

I take it daily as well as creatine and a multivitamin to fill in the gaps. I notice a big difference in my recovery, brain fog, hunger, and energy levels.

Calling it a waste is a bit too far but for those who do get enough protein that's fair. If you're in a moderate to large deficit though they're a godsend.

[DadPlaysBass]

I recently started going to the gym and I supplement with BCAA and isolate whey. My BCAA comes with electrolytes and has a nice taste so I have two scoops (two bottles) per day. I also eat around 200gr of protein. In one week of lifting I already noticed a great recovery and muscle gain! Believe it or not, I have a friend doing it with me and he’s not doing what I’m doing and he’s all sore while my recovery is much faster. I advise anyone here to try, have it post workout with a meal with good complex carbs and some good complete animal source protein and you’ll see results

[hamilton]

As a plant based athlete BCAA’s are my go to. Without it I get very soar after heavy lifts. On run or hike days I sip on them I don’t burn out so fast. Love them!

[markgrainger]

I think which is why I take EAA’s that for older adults who’s ability to synthesis protein is compromised it may not be possible to take in enough protein to work alongside exercise in the fight against sarcopenia, all things that can help should be seriously considered.

[gabrielaofgod]

As someone who doesn’t drink caffeine (and if I do it decaffeinate - I’m sensitive) BCAAs make a world of a difference on my energy levels. I don’t feel jittery and I feel well recovered. I even notice I’m able to wake up not feeling sluggish in the morning.

[cenauge]

There are studies showing increased protein synthesis after taking EAAs. This makes sense because you don't just need amino acids to build protein; you need specific ratios of amino acids. Protein has a recipe, and if you are left with excess amino acids those just get burned. EAAs can fill in gaps, let you complete a few more of those ratio sets.

For building muscle this may just have a small effect, but for recovery and for recycling older damaged proteins for new ones (a process that increases with protein intake) having EAAs is beneficial... for me, anyway. And that's really what it comes down to: if you can feel a noticeable benefit then it is worth it.

[TwstedTV]

I just take [ON] 100% Whey Protein once in the morning (mixed with 5g-creatine) with breakfast and once at night with dinner (or) 1-hr before I go to bed (without creatine).
My daily intake of food is 2, 400-calories with 175-protein. with only (3) meals a day and a snack in-between meal. Like 3 Oreo's (or) 3-Chocolate chip cookies.
Snack is just something sweet so I have some kind of change of taste, it can also sometimes be Jello with (1) Mini-Milky-Way, usually at night when I'm chillin watching a movie.
If I miss my protein shake for any reason, that's when I take [ON] Amino-2222. The pill is like a horse pill, I have to crush it and mix it with Milk.

[DanScottChannel]

EAA's can benefit people on a low protien diet, who are in CKD (Chronic Kidney Failure), because EAA's are already broken down so the kidney doesn't have to process the acids like eating animal or plant protein's

[cristiandino]

I don't feel it helps me speed up my recovery. I have tried several brands of BCAA and never have I felt that. The only reason I take them is because I exercise very early in the morning and I don't have time to eat anything beforehand. So, I take a scoop of BCAA to help get through my workout, which it does wonderfully. I feel as if I ate something and have more than enough energy

[Naveen_B]

BCAA prevents muscle soreness and helps in quick recovery. I used to get aches and pains after heavy workout but after BCAA I am good now. It is not a placebo effect..BCAA are proven to prevent DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).

[alexeivernyi]

As a gymnast I like EAA's for the digestibility and I get some that has electrolytes added in. Makes it easier for me to hydrate during practice where I'm flipping around a ton or doing lots of intense strength positions. Don't want to be sick from eating too much before haha. Plus I'm one of those people that try to maximize protein intake at my body size but find it hard sometimes because of some sources interrupting my sleep or bloating me because of my poor digestion of it. For most people I can see how it's probably a waste of money. Ben Greenfield has also brought up some studies before about sipping EAA's throughout a workout but I'd be curious to know if those in the study were in a calorie deficit/max protein consumption and other factors.

[Buttercookie-hd]

Thank you. I am one of those who has them handy because I don't get enough protein on certain days. I can't always afford to buy a lot of meat. Or sometimes I simply don't have the time to cook because I work two jobs. Whatever the case, it happens frequently and I'm thankful to have them. I don't always have protein powder either.