What Are Branched-Chain Amino Acids?

Leucine, valine, and isoleucine are collectively called branched chain amino acids (BCAA), so they can also be called compound branched chain amino acids. These amino acids promote anabolic (muscle growth) in two special ways: promote insulin release, promote growth hormone release. The most important of the complex branched chain amino acids is leucine, the precursor of ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) and HMB. KIC and HMB increase muscle, reduce fat, and provide nutrition to the body. Whey protein has a higher BCAA content and should be supplemented with 4-5 grams after training. ^[1]