Factors to Take Into Consideration When Shopping for Best BCAAs for Women and Men
Without a doubt, BCAA supplements have a lot of benefits for men and women. Having said that, how does one choose the right supplement? Here are a couple of critical factors to consider if you are unsure what to look for in a quality BCAA supplement.
The Ratio of Amino Acids
The first thing to look out for when choosing the best amino acids for women and men is the leucine to isoleucine and valine ratio. If muscle growth maximization is your goal, then the ideal ratio for you is 2:1:1. In other words, you want to get twice as much leucine in your BCAA supplement as isoleucine or valine.
This is the ideal amino acid ratio because leucine is much more important in muscle protein synthesis than the other essential amino acids. As a side note, combining leucine with the latter two amino acids is more effective than using leucine on its own.
As a general rule, all three essential amino acids are required to provide the best possible results. This means that if you want to reap all of the BCAA benefits for women or men, you are advised to skip products that contain only leucine or that have it in abnormal ratios.
Ingredients
In many cases, BCAA supplements can contain other ingredients besides branched-chain amino acids. For instance, some supplements also contain added threonine or tryptophan in their formula, whereas others may also include electrolytes or extra nutrients like magnesium.
In addition to this, take note of BCAA supplements that contain artificial or natural sweeteners or flavorings, and check whether the product is sugar-free or gluten-free.
If you have sensitivities to specific ingredients, make sure to triple-check the BCAA nutrition facts before making a final purchase. Fortunately for you, we have done the dirty work and selected only the BCAA supplements with the purest ingredients.
Third-Party Testing
We strongly recommend choosing top BCAA supplements that are third-party lab tested for purity and safety. Most importantly, choose supplements from brands that put the health and safety of their customers first.
How to use BCAAs?
For the most part, BCAAs are safe for both men and women to use regularly. Admittedly, there are a few things to keep in mind when using them continuously.
Dosage
To determine the proper dosage for your needs, always check the recommended serving size on the product label. In the case of powders, one serving is typically going to equal one scoop. By sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended serving sizes, you will be able to get the proper amount of branched-chain amino acids for maximum results.
Timing
The best time to take BCAA supplements is before, during, or after a workout. Even though BCAA supplements can be consumed at any time of the day, most people prefer to use them before or during training sessions. To increase results and reduce muscle protein breakdown, you are recommended to take your BCAA supplement in this time frame.
Using BCAA supplements before or during a workout is especially helpful for people who train on an empty stomach. Not only does a BCAA supplement help with preserving muscles during a fasted state, it also makes sure that the metabolism isn’t harmed.
Apart from this, good BCAA supplements can also be used after an intense workout for faster muscle recovery. However, if you typically consume a high-carbohydrate protein-rich meal or a post-workout smoothie after your workout, then you may not require BCAA supplementation.
Final Thoughts
To summarise, BCAA supplementation is an excellent way to lose fat, speed up the recovery process, and retain quality muscle mass. Although both genders use branched-chain amino acids in supplement form, they provide a couple of added benefits for women (such as balancing out hormones).
Overall, we sincerely hope that this best BCAA review and guide helped you decide which product is the right match for you. Of course, also remember to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, and get enough rest. Stay healthy and safe!