563 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: December 12, 2013
Posted
This is my first time taking BCAA but everyone seems to lean towards them so I thought I'd give them a try. Here's a pic of the ones I got, they are pills not a mix so I take them about an hour before my workout. 4 pills are 1 serving and the directions say take 2-4 tablets daily with every meal. Just a tad confused on those directions so I just take 2. You think with 4 being 1 serving you wouldn't take more than that for the day. What if someone eats 5 meals a day? I satrted them sunday and ever since then I am super thirsty and have a dry mouth which I have seen are some side effects. I can deal with that as I drink 100 oz of water a day but the big thing is every morning I wake up with a funny taste in my mouth like the taste of the pill and feel almost like I have a slight hangover with my headache usually gona after I start drinking water but today has been ongoing. Am I taking a junk brand? Is it something that will pass when my body gets used to it? Just curious.
I have been training coming up on 6 years and have made some great gainz. I've done a lot of trial and error on myself as well as learned from others and through research online. I've come along way in strength and size since I've started. I will continue to learn and make myself better each day. MS Athlete/Super Hermanite BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE, BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL.
518 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
I would honestly just ignore all serving recommendations and just stick to 5 - 10g prior to your workout and if you can tolerate it another 5g during your workout. I don't know how that equates with your capsule form but I'm sure you can weigh them out. I have never quite understood why supplement companies require you to take BCAAs with meals, it just doesn't make sense to me
Sport Rehabilitation BSc GSR
Sport Rehabilitator and S&C coach at Boston United FC
Super Hermanite
Twitter: Daniel_Meyer99
563 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: December 12, 2013
Posted
Okay, I will look at them when I get home and see if I can't figure out what 5g would equate too. Hopefully it's not more than what I am already taking. I think I could handle 1 tablet before and another during. It's funny because my headache was slowly increasing and was really getting bad at the start of my workout but after was a different story, headache gone. Maybe I am taking them a little earlier than I need too? I just figured the tablets would take longer to digest.
I have been training coming up on 6 years and have made some great gainz. I've done a lot of trial and error on myself as well as learned from others and through research online. I've come along way in strength and size since I've started. I will continue to learn and make myself better each day. MS Athlete/Super Hermanite BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE, BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL.
518 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Its really strange how you are getting those side effects from BCAAs!! I've never heard of it before. Are there any other ingredients in the capsules?
Sport Rehabilitation BSc GSR
Sport Rehabilitator and S&C coach at Boston United FC
Super Hermanite
Twitter: Daniel_Meyer99
563 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: December 12, 2013
Posted
2 tablets =4g it says it has 8 essential amino acids and 12 non essential. Here's a pic of the ingredients. Idk it mixing it with other vitamins have anything to do with it. I take a multi, calcium, vit d and fish oil but I wouldn't think so. .
I have been training coming up on 6 years and have made some great gainz. I've done a lot of trial and error on myself as well as learned from others and through research online. I've come along way in strength and size since I've started. I will continue to learn and make myself better each day. MS Athlete/Super Hermanite BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE, BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL.
2.6K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Aaron,
I use Optimum Nutrition BCAA tabs and 1 serving is 2 tablets = 1 gram total of BCAAs. Like Daniel said, I just use them 1 hour before I workout and immediately after I workout. That is when BCAAs are most effective. Supplement companies want you to use a lot per day so you use them faster and then need to buy more. Don't forget that they are all "for profit" good 'ol American companies :-)
As for your "side effects", I have never seen anything like this. I do know that all protein and especially creatine requires you to be taking in ample supplies of water. Your "symptoms" sound like you are not hydrated enough. Even adding in something as "small" as BCAA caps will up your water needs.
John
34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-)
MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
2.6K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
This is a full protein supplement not just BCAAs. That is why the serving amounts are so high. My BCAA caps are just the 3 BCAAs. You may want to check out Optimum Nutrition's BCAA caps instead. They come in 200 and 400 capsule sizes and contain ONLY BCAAs
John
34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-)
MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
563 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: December 12, 2013
Posted
I will have to check out optimal nutrition bcaa. I am liking the energy I get and as for the side effects I did read dehydration was possible. Does feel like dehydration but with as much water as I drink I didn't think I'd have issues. I even wake up in the middle of the night need to use the restroom. Maybe I'll drink a little more water before bed and when I wake up in the middle of the night and see if things change. Thanks for the info guys!
I have been training coming up on 6 years and have made some great gainz. I've done a lot of trial and error on myself as well as learned from others and through research online. I've come along way in strength and size since I've started. I will continue to learn and make myself better each day. MS Athlete/Super Hermanite BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE, BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL.
687 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Train for a sportDate Joined: September 9, 2011
Posted
Hey Aaron,
John is right about the symptoms..you are just dehydrated, happens more often that you d think :D Daniel is right about the recommended dosages and the best time to take them
My personal opinion is that BCAA's is one of the largest scams in the supplement industry. I have never gone through any research that indicated that BCAA's helped build noticeable muscle or lose fat. At least if you are bulking. If you are bulking you are already taking all those aminos through normal food+whey protein. If you are cutting drastically ( more than 10% caloric deficit), yes, they have been shown to help you keep muscle mass. If you are doing a normal cut ( 10% caloric deficit), you should be taking enough BCAA's through whey protein again. I m gonna give you an example. If you are currently bulking, I believe you will put on 10lbs of pure muscle in the next 6 months without taking bcaa's. If you jump on those BCAA's however, you will maybe put on 10,2lbs of muscle in those 6 months. I dont think its worth the money. Even the slightest change in your workout routine will have a much more drastic change to the rate you are putting on muscle. If you squat 3 times a week instead of 2 or 1..you will put on an extra 3lbs of muscle on your legs.
Of course, they are 100% safe ( obviously), and usually taste amazing, so if it makes you sleep better at night, I guess there is no harm in trying them out. Also, despite your experience, BCAA's indirectly help you drink more water, because you usually mix them with water and you are reminded to drink them more often. How ironic in your case :D
Muscular Strength Athlete and Content Manager
6 Years Lifting Experience
Bachelors in Molecular Chemistry/Biochemistry, Working towards Masters
Lifting Style & Philosophy : Aikido, Energy, Balance, Flexibility, Posture
563 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: December 12, 2013
Posted
Just an update I am making sure I drink an extra glass of water before bed and when I wake in the middle of the night to use the restroom. I haven't had any issues since. Makes me feel a little stupid it was a dehydration issue, like I said I drink plenty of water imo but now that I got that ironed out I feel better.
I have been training coming up on 6 years and have made some great gainz. I've done a lot of trial and error on myself as well as learned from others and through research online. I've come along way in strength and size since I've started. I will continue to learn and make myself better each day. MS Athlete/Super Hermanite BEING CHALLENGED IN LIFE IS INEVITABLE, BEING DEFEATED IS OPTIONAL.
39 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Hi,
Should I count BCAA intakes in my daily protein macros?
Thanks
7.1K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
No need to bro, unless there is a protein count on your BCAA nutrition label.
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39 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Understood, thanks
7.1K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: August 8, 2008