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Mar 19, 2012

Importance Of Leucine And Muscle Repair And Recovery

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There are specific supplements that are better effective than others are when concerning weight training, muscle repair and recovery. The most important supplements, following perhaps protein, are amino acids. Amino acids, known as the building blocks of protein, are needed for protein synthesis, without protein synthesis our muscles will not repair or regrow. Some amino acids are more important than others are of which leucine is one of them.

Essential amino acids, like leucine, do not occur naturally in the body, which means the body cannot produce them on its own. This immediately makes them more vital than non-essential amino acids, which do occur naturally in the body. As leucine is an essential amino acid, it needs to find its way into the body via food consumption or supplementation. When it comes to building muscle and recovery, three essential amino acids sit head and shoulders above the rest. Along with leucine, the remaining pair are isoleucine and valine, the three together are branched chain amino acids (BCAA's), and they form around one third of the amino acids that are found within muscle protein. The key amino acid out of the three BCAA's for protein synthesis, which arguably makes it the most important amino acid for slapping on new muscle, is leucine. The key ingredient that exists in BCAA's supplements is leucine, normally at 60% to 20% each of isoleucine and valine.

Several studies exist which all prove the effectiveness of leucine for improving protein synthesis. Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition claimed that participants who consumed leucine via supplementation witnessed improved protein synthesis by 33% after sixty minutes of intense training. The study also gave evidence that leucine blocked muscle breakdown in the participants, proving it performs as an anti-catabolic agent. The improved protein synthesis and blocking of muscle breakdown means leucine is an an optimum supplementation for those after improved muscle gains or increased strength through their diet and training.

There are many debates regarding the consumption and roles of supplementation and better training performance. The various studies and research performed all give evidence leucine does not fall into this category. Like whey protein, there is little debate regarding leucine and its part and importance to muscle repair and recovery. The intake of leucine noticeably increases protein synthesis, fact.

Ideally, the optimum time to consume leucine should be before, whilst and immediately after training. You can consume it whenever throughout the day; however, it is most beneficial when taken around training when the muscles are begging to be supplied the right nutrition. Try to consume between five and ten grams a day of a leucine or a BCAA supplement. BCAA supplements are one of the most reasonably priced and most effective training supplements you can buy. Often you will find the majority of protein, all in one, or pre and post workout supplements normally contains some form of BCAA's so you could well be already getting adequate quantities. Check the ingredients on the side of the tub the next time you are looking to purchase a new supplement to make sure leucine is on the label.

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