Branched Chain Amino Acids refers to specific amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine that have side-chains that bind the carbon atoms to multiple carbon atoms, which sets them apart from other amino acids. The branched chain amino acids were scientifically discovered in the lab and found to be vital to the mammalian body. These branched chain amino acids are some of the most essential amino acids needed in the body. Since these amino acids are not synthesized by mammals, they must either be ingested through specific foods rich in the special amino acids or taken through certain methods such as supplementation. The branched chain amino acids are digested quickly in the stomach and distributed into the bloodstream to be quickly metabolized into other parts of the body. Athletes are induced to taking branched chain amino acids as supplements because they alone are in need of these branched chain amino acids to enhance their performance and decrease their muscle loss. The type of effect that these athletes result with not only benefits someone who exercises often, but also benefits any person with a disease.

The 3 Essential Branched Chain Amino Acids

• Leucine
  Leucine
  Leucine is a branched-chain α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2CH2. Leucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid due to its aliphatic isobutyl side chain. It is encoded by six codons and is a major component of the subunits in ferritin, astacin and other 'buffer' proteins...
  
   is one of the 10 essential amino acids, and this amino acid develops growth in infants and works efficiently in the liver of adults to balance the amount of nitrogen intake. It is also beneficial to maintaining the strength of bones by inhibiting protein into the skeletal muscle, replenishing skin as well as muscle tissue, and lowering high blood pressure.
• Isoleucine
  Isoleucine
  Isoleucine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCHCH2CH3. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Its codons are AUU, AUC and AUA....
  
   is also one of the 10 essential amino acids that inhibit root growth when injected in plants, so when it is in mammals it inhibits skin growth and muscle growth.
• Valine
  Valine
  Valine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2. L-Valine is one of 20 proteinogenic amino acids. Its codons are GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG. This essential amino acid is classified as nonpolar...
  
   is another one of the 10 essential amino acids that, like leucine and isoleucine, it encourages protein synthesis and muscle tissue growth. It provides an amount of energy retained from the preserves of glucose. The essential amino acids are also not manufactured in mammals. However, Valine, Isoleucine, and Leucine are biosynthetically in plants and in certain foods, therefore they are a useful source of diets for mammals.

Discovery

“Branched chain” refers to the multiple carbon atoms needed to tightly allow the flow of the amino acids to inhibit growth..Scientists isolated these amino acids from specific herbicides(plants) and discovered their essential role in the mammalian body by experimenting them on rats. Plants are known to contain certain remedies such as these branched chain amino acids that are located in the chloroplast of the leaves. Scientists discovered that these branched chain amino acids enhanced growth of the plant by providing protein synthesis into the tissue of the leaves so that they do not tear as they would normally without these branched chain amino acids. The herbicides(plants) produce a certain amount of energy as a repercussion of the synthesis of these branched chain amino acids. As scientists experimented on rats, the results showed that the heart of the mammal was beating faster than usual, which showed an increase in energy.

Rich Sources containing Branched Chain Amino Acids.

• Dairy Products
• red meat
• corn
• Beans
• Legumes
• Brown rice
• Whole wheat
• Eggs
• Fish
• Mushrooms
• Soy protein
  Soy protein
  Soy protein is a protein that is isolated from soybean. It is made from dehulled, defatted soybean meal. Dehulled and defatted soybeans are processed into three kinds of high protein commercial products : soy flour, concentrates, and isolates. Soy protein isolate has been used since 1959 in foods ...
  
  
• Lentils
• Nuts including cashews and almonds and chickpeas

Methods of Use

• Liquid- the branched chain amino acids are supplemented in a liquid and the liquid is used as a drink.
• Powder- The amino acids are supplemented in a white powder of a certain taste, and a certain amount of grams is mixed in either water, milk or juice.
• Pills - The branched chain amino acids are compactly supplemented into a pill and taken daily.

Common Use

Branched chain amino acids are used as a dietary supplement in the purpose of:

• Exercise enhancement
• Body building supplement(muscle growth) .
• Decrease muscle breakdown
• Health Diet
• Medicating Diseases

In Exercise

Athletes are recommended to take these amino acids for the sake of increasing muscle growth and decreasing muscle breakdown.. The energy that the amino acids inhibit, allows exercise to be a greater experience then exercising regularly. The mixture of these amino acids in proteins greatly benefit the results to certain athletes that take the right amount of BCAA’s a day. Initially these amino acids already do not develop in the body, so the more these amino acids are consumed through other sources the greater chance there is of inducing a healthy diet.

Health Benefit

Since mammals can not biologically synthesize branched chain amino acids they are dependent on other sources. Ingesting dietary supplements of BCAA increases muscle protein synthesis and can also treat some diseases such as liver failure and catabolic diseases. Other stated benefits include: regain of red blood cells, improved hemoglobin strength and reduced muscle inflammation .