Pro Contest BCAA Review
BCAA supplements have been popular within the bodybuilding industry since the 1980s. It is only in the last few years that we have seen them being used by the general population in gyms.
But why are we using them? And what makes the Pro Contest BCAA supplement stand taller than the rest?
What is a BCAA?
BCAAs are also known as Branched Chain Amino Acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, a macronutrient that is essential for muscle growth. Muscle protein is made up of 20 amino acids, 11 of which are non-essential and 9 are essential.
Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and therefore we must consume them through food and supplementation. Three of the 9 essential amino acids are found in BCAA. The three amino acids are:
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
- Valine
They are given this name as they each have a chain that branches off to the side. BCAAs help to increase the rate of protein synthesis so that you can build and retain muscle mass. Bodybuilders have been supplementing BCAAs for years as a way to increase their daily intake of key amino acids.
Why use a BCAA supplement?
Before we get onto why you should be using this particular brand of supplement, let’s look at why you would take BCAAs.
First and foremost, you need enough protein in-order for protein synthesis to take place. If you do not consume enough protein then your body will break down protein when it is needed to help the muscles repair. If you’re a bodybuilder or an athlete, it is vital that you consume enough of the essential amino acids for protein synthesis to take place.
People who follow a primarily plant based diet should also be wary when it comes to their protein intake. Most foods high in leucine are meat and dairy based, such as poultry, cheese and eggs. If this is the case, you should consider supplementing BCAAs as a way to increase your essential amino acid intake.
Why choose Pro Contest BCAA?
As we said above, BCAAs are made up of three amino acids, however National Bodybuilding Co. have included other ingredients into their supplement to improve performance even more.
On top of the amino acids, Pro Contest also includes L-Glutamine and Vitamin B6 that can also aid muscle growth. All of the ingredients are natural and will not cause unwanted side effects. With this perfect blend, the BCAAs can reduce muscle soreness, boost athletic endurance and also optimise muscle growth.
Ingredients
The ingredients and their quality are the most important part of any supplement. That’s why National Bodybuilding Co. emphasise the natural ingredients they use and how they can benefit your training.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is not found in all BCAA supplements, but has several benefits for bodybuilders. This nutrient promotes red blood cell production and also enhances the amount of nitric oxide in the body. Both of these processes widen the blood vessels and boost the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can be delivered to the muscles. This gives you the muscle ‘pump’ that is great when stepping on stage for competition.
A study has shown that vitamin B6 may also help cognitive performance which in turn can improve performance and concentration when training. Not only can this contribute to better training, but better overall health.
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine is a popular supplement on its own terms in the supplement world and is frequently used to improve muscle recovery. It is a non-essential amino acid, therefore, our body can produce it, as well as through ingesting through supplements and food.
During intense training, your stores of glutamine quickly become depleted, which can have a negative effect on your workout. Your body is using the amino acid to repair and rebuild the muscles. This is why supplementing intra or post workout can aid the restoration of your L-Glutamine levels quickly and efficiently.
As well as this, L-Glutamine has also been proven to promote gut health. Although this may not be a direct benefit for bodybuilding, it has great overall health benefits. The intestine uses l-glutamine as a fuel to ensure the cells are functioning properly. It is also possible that this amino acid boosts immune cell activity. As a consequence, this may prevent inflammation and infection in the gut.
BCAA 2:1:1
This is the vital ingredient in BCAA supplements and includes the three essential amino acids,Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine.
Leucine is a key amino acid that can be used as part of the process to generate ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). This is a compound that provides energy for many bodily functions, including muscle contraction. The amino acid is also essential for protein synthesis and plays a role in the regulation of the metabolism.
Isoleucine can also help muscle protein synthesis, however it is not as effective as leucine. Additionally. Isoleucine plays a role in how our body uses glucose. It helps the process of glucose uptake into cells, and also glucose being broken down into energy for exercise.
Conclusion
BCAAs are important for protein synthesis and ensuring that we have enough protein in-order for the muscles to recover. If you are a bodybuilder, or athlete, BCAAs are a fantastic supplement to increase the amount of essential amino acids in your diet.
However, take this a step further with Pro Contest BCAAs. Not only with this supplement are you getting the benefits of BCAAs, but also the vitamin B6 and L-Glutamine included. These are ingredients that can also have positive results on muscle growth, as well as other health benefits.