Supplements: Which BCAA is right for you?

If you’re in the market for sports supplements you’ve probably heard of Branched Chain Amino Acids or BCAAs. With so many variations of this product on the market, it can be confusing to choose the best BCAA for you. Below we will explain what BCAAs are and the difference between our two products to help you decide which BCAA is right for you.

BCAA stands for Branched Chain Amino Acids. Amino acids are the natural building blocks of protein and they have many vital roles within the body. There are 3 are branched chain amino acids and all are essential amino acids, meaning your body can’t produce them so you need to get them through your diet. The three branched chain amino acids are called leucine, isoleucine, and valine (in 2:1:1 ratio). They are called branched chain amino acids because they have a branch-like structure. Their structure means that they are not processed in the liver before entering the blood stream. Instead they directly enter the blood stream and can be immediately used for protein synthesis and energy production.

You can find more in depth information about the BCAA’s on our product discussion here.

There are two VPA^® BCAA supplements to benefit you. First there is our pure BCAA 2:1:1 powder as well as our complete intra-workout product, BCAA 7000. We will explain the difference between the two below.

BCAA7000 is a complete intra or post-workout supplement. It combines the three BCAAs leucine, isoleucine and valine with electrolytes and B vitamins. This product will boost your energy and performance and replace the salts lost through sweat. BCAA7000 comes in five flavours; lemon lime, raspberry, peach iced tea, mango passionfruit and grape bubblegum. You can purchase a 300g tub of BCAA for $31, or purchase two for $57.00.

To use BCAA 7000 mix one serve (15g or 1 scoop) with water as per the directions on the pack. You can drink BCAA 7000 before, during, or after a workout. Some people like to sip on BCAA 7000 throughout their day.

VPA^®BCAA2:1:1 is a pure BCAA supplement with no added flavours, colours or additives. It is perfect for anyone who wants to add an effective BCAA to their current supplement stack or any other drink they are taking. Because it is unflavoured, it can be added to your preferred, pre- intra- or post-workout supplement without interfering with the flavour.  

To use BCAA 2:1:1 add one serve (5g) to a liquid of your choice. BCAA 2:1:1 is best taken before or after training or competition.  

Which BCAA you eventually go for will depend on when you were planning to take it, and how many other supplements you are taking. If you take a lot of supplements and are looking to add that extra something to boost your recovery, then BCAA will be versatile enough to take with any other products you use. On the other hand, if you are new to supplements or don’t generally use a lot of products, BCAA may provide you with a great all round supplement to fuel training and optimise recovery.

Hopefully we have helped you decide which BCAA is right for you. If you want to learn more about BCAA and how they can benefit your training, check out these blogs:

BCAAs for women: Yes or No?

What is BCAA and should I be using it?