Too long; didn’t read version
BCAAs are waste of money unless used for fasted training, but
HMB is better than
BCAAs for fasted training.
I second what others are saying. If your diet is on point you do not need
BCAAs, it is a waste of money.
The only beneficial caveat you could garner from taking
BCAAs is during fasted training.
BCAAs, in this case, would act as an anticatabolic, meaning muscle breakdown will be mitigated slightly or completely depending on training intensity and length. The primary mover in the
BCAA stack is
leucine, this guy is the catalyst that spikes protein synthesis. Unless you get a flavored kind,
BCAAs taste HORRIBLE!
See here:
Leucine supplementation and intensive training.
SIDE NOTE: If you are looking for an effective supplement for fasted training, look into
β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate, aka
HMB.
HMB is a substance formed when your body metabolizes the amino acid
leucine, which, again, is the amino acid that directly stimulates protein synthesis. Further, it has no effect on insulin levels, which means it will not “break” your fasted state. Based on research,
HMB is superior to
leucine in regards to suppressing muscle breakdown.
See here:
Effects of leucine and its metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate on human skeletal muscle protein metabolism.