Download aleiphar

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Braxton Fenter
Period 5
Chemistry
4/15/12
Biomolecule Essay
Branched-Chain Amino Acid, also known as BCAAs, is an essential
amino acid that the human body needs. It is needed to help the formation
of new muscle growth along with maintaining muscle mass. BCAAs are so
crucial to our diets because it is an amino acid that we do not create in our
bodies. Branched-Chain Amino Acids are made up of three essential amino
acids, they are a building block for muscle tissue, and there is constantly
new research on BCAAs coming out.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids are building blocks for muscle tissue.
“They are made out of three different amino acids; Valine, Leucine and
Isoleucine. Together they create 35% of our muscles” (Sports science
book). They are so essential because our body does not produce it. We get
BCAAs from our diet and or supplements we can take. Branched-Chain
Amino Acids are popular with body builders or people that are into fitness
and building muscle mass.
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The more BCAAs in you body, the more likely you are to build muscle and
keep it. “Consuming BCAAs before training can increase uptake into
muscle” (Precision Nutrition Website). They help to form muscle because
they are a type of protein. A lot of protein powders like whey and casein
contain BCAAs knowing that they will help build up muscle after breaking
it down post workout. They are absorbed directly into the muscle tissue
and metabolize quickly. Because of this it is recommended for athletes or
those training in the gym to take 5-10 grams pre workout as well as post
workout for results. “They act as nitrogen carriers which assist the
muscles in synthesizing other amino acids needed for anabolic muscle
action. In simpler terms, BCAA's combine simpler amino acids to form a
complex whole muscle tissue. In this action, BCAA's stimulate production
of insulin, the main function of which is to allow circulating blood sugar to
be taken up by the muscle cells and used as a source of energy. This
insulin production promotes amino acid uptake by the muscle”
(BodyBuilding.com).
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The structure of BCAAs are made out of Valine, Leucine and
Isoleucine. These are three out of nine of the essential amino acids.
“Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are so called because of their
structure, which includes a “side chain” of one carbon atom and three
hydrogen atoms. These hydrophobic (water-fearing) amino acids are
referred to as “aliphatic” (from the Greek aleiphar, or oil), as their central
carbon attaches to a branched non-cyclic, open carbon chain.” (Precision
Nutrition).
Branched-Chain Amino Acids are so important to research and
educate your self about because it is our own body. No one is going to tell
us what to take or do, we have to look things up and become self-educated.
Without proper research, one might not know that BCAAs are not found in
the body and are found only in certain protein drinks and foods. They are
essential to the body and without knowing that we could become deficient
and our muscles lacking. There is tons of new research coming out every
year about BCAAs and even the break down three amino acids.
In conclusion Branched-Chain Amino Acids are very crucial to the
human body. Our body does not make them so taking an amino
supplement or a protein shake a day is important. By doing this we are
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going to feed our muscles, making them stronger and larger. BranchedChain Amino Acids are made up of three essential amino acids, they are a
building block for muscle tissue, and there is constantly new research on
BCAAs coming out.
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-bcaas
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bcaa.htm
Sports Science book pg. 23