BCAA

Some of the most important amino acids in the body are leucine, isoleucine and valine, collectively known as branched-chained amino acids (BCAAs).

BCAAs are most important in maintaining muscle tissues, preserving muscle glycogen stores and preventing muscle breakdown during strenuous exercise. Many people have taken BCAA supplements to enhance physical training effects and improve performance during exercise.

There have not been any reported side effects with BCAA supplement intake, excess BCAAs are usually converted to other amino acid forms, used up as energy, or stored up as fat. However, if you have liver or kidney disease, you should not take in high doses of amino acids without asking your doctor.

These days, essential amino acid deficiencies are common. This is partly due to the busy life style and possibly the extreme diet mindset that cause people to take in lesser amounts of protein. Vegetarians are most especially prone to amino acid deficiencies. There are also other factors such as impaired amino acid absorption, infection, drug use, stress and inadequate supply of vitamins and minerals that lead to deficiency.

Amino acid metabolism is vital in your body such that an insufficient amount of any one of them can lead to illness. Considering this and the likeliness of deficiencies in today's usual lifestyle, amino supplements should be rendered important as well.