BCAA

What this is. The three branched-chain amino acids — leucine, isoleucine and valine. Lifters take them around training, though if you already eat enough protein you are mostly topping up something you have.

4 g of BCAAs per 6.36 g scoop, in the standard 2:1:1 ratio, with 1 g of L-glutamine alongside them. This is one of the few products we sell where the serving lands inside the range the research uses rather than below it.

What you are actually getting, per 1 scoop (6.36 g)

• Carbohydrate — 1 g
• L-Leucine — 2,000 mg
• L-Glutamine — 1,000 mg
• L-Isoleucine — 1,000 mg
• L-Valine — 1,000 mg

The three branched-chain amino acids add up to 4,000 mg, which is the 4 g on the front, and 2,000:1,000:1,000 is the 2:1:1 ratio. Worth noticing: the named ingredients come to 5 g of amino acids plus 1 g of carbohydrate, and the scoop weighs 6.36 g. The panel does not say what the remainder is.

Worth knowing before you buy

BCAA studies commonly run from 5 g to 20 g a day, so 4 g in a scoop is at the lower end of that but not a token amount, and 2 g of leucine is a normal single-serving figure. Glutamine research generally uses several grams a day, so the 1 g here is the smaller part of the tub in every sense.

The honest caveat is about BCAAs generally rather than this product. Branched-chain amino acids are three of the nine essential amino acids. Whole protein — whey, or food — contains all nine, including these three, and usually costs less per gram of leucine. If you are already eating enough protein, a BCAA powder adds more of three you are getting anyway.

How to take it

One scoop (6.36 g) stirred into water, once a day. Thirty scoops in the container, so one a day is 30 days.

Other ingredients

The panel lists none. It states no flavouring, no sweetener and no anti-caking agent, and it carries no allergen statement. This is a powder rather than a capsule, so there is no gelatin question — but the panel does not state that it is certified vegetarian or vegan either, and it does not say whether it is made on shared equipment. If you have allergies, read the physical label before you use it.

Cautions

Concentrated amino acid powders are worth clearing with your doctor first if you have kidney or liver disease, since both organs handle the protein load. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking prescription medication or living with a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting this or any supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.