The Truth About BCAA Supplements (Why You Shouldn’t Buy Them)

Want some help building your best body ever? Here are 5 ways I can assist whenever you’re ready, including free fitness plans, coaching, books, and more: www.mikematthews.co/yt
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The number one most requested product of my sports nutrition company, Legion, is something I refuse to sell.
That product is BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), and it’s one of the most popular supplements in the body composition space.
Many people claim that BCAA supplements are essential for muscle growth, improve immunity, and even help with fat loss. In this podcast, I’ll explain why BCAAs are actually worthless and how the science used to sell these supplements is often misrepresented or even fake.
So, click play and stay tuned as we explore the world of BCAAs, discuss their perceived benefits, and uncover the reasons why you might want to skip them altogether.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
3:32 - What are BCAAs?
7:32 - What studies show that BCAAs show significant muscle growth?
18:07 - Try Whey+ risk-free today! Go to buylegion.com/whey and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
20:42 - Do BCAAs reduce fatigue?
24:18 - BCAA’s and recovery
25:40 - Can training in a fasted state with BCAAs increase muscle growth?
30:08 - What are some good alternatives to BCAAs?
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Mentioned on the Show:
Try Whey+ risk-free today! Go to buylegion.com/whey and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Want some help building your best body ever? Here are 5 ways I can assist whenever you’re ready, including free fitness plans, coaching, books, and more: www.mikematthews.co/yt

[@thegraybeard]

I take BCAA when I fast just to fill in any gaps.

[@baldersn4474]

Stumbled over this channel whilst researching the effectiveness of BCAAs ..Great video thank you, very honest..Science based..

[@luiscisneros8412]

Great video Mike, when can we possibly get another video with Mark Rippetoe? Also, can you possibly make a video on your new supplement sucrosomial magnesium? Thanks!

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Podcast schedule is pretty set for a while as far as guests go. Definitely will have some content on the new supplement. :)

[@tinamn35]

Thanks, I just ordered BCAA’s.🏋🏻‍♂️🥰👍😁

[@WarMachinne]

Hey Mike, at 1:17 you mentioned this was your take “as of March 13, 2013”. Do u mean your position hasn’t changed in 10 years, or did you misspeak and mean 2023?

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Misspoke.

[@MarmaladeINFP]

I take seriously your critique, and I'm generally wary of supplements. Even so, for now I'm still going to add BCAAs to my collagen as a pre-workout supplement. Yes, I'd prefer to take whey, but my body doesn't handle it and most dairy in general. The BCAAs are convenient to trigger anabolism before I get my first post-workout meal. And since I'm on a low-carb or rather no-carb diet, I have no interest in taking carbs for a boost of energy. So, BCAAs still have a place for some people.

[@Joy80JJ]

I do not eat red meat or pork...so I take BCAA's since I have a hard time getting my protein macro of 120 grams...I am petite built. Not a vegan but just don't like those meats. I eat eggs & chicken or turkey.

[@THEMMAN3232]

they saying to take 20 grams 0mega 3 a day it is true? bear eat 10 pound of salmon a day how much omega 3 is there?

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Check this out and it should help: legionathletics.com/fish-oil/

[@rafaelgomez1989]

Would they have any value for FASTED WORKOUT ?

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

If you're in an extreme deficit (with low protein consumption) and you're working out fasted, there may be some benefits to EAAs. Not so much BCAAs. HMB is a better option imo.

[@rafaelgomez1989]

@@MikeMatthewsFitnessHi, from Miami and thank you for your response. I'm consuming 1g of protein per pound of body weight, just looking for an energy boost on my fasted workouts. I also considering Yohimbine along with HMB . Would that be a good combo ? Thank you so much !

[@platonicguardian6923]

My evidence based comment was deleted. I'm very disappointed.

[@king-nick2023]

Repost it here

[@baldersn4474]

Quote effective for reducing muscld soreness if youc diets lacking but no way do they muscle build lol..

[@alexmacleod9727]

this has convinced me to take more bcaa, I'm 190lbs and no way get 190 grams of protein a day,,, more like 0.5

[@PhillipMHarden]

There's this awseome supplement that will help called "whey protien powder". You should look into!! It's a total game changer!

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Just use a protein supplement instead.

[@alexmacleod9727]

@@PhillipMHarden i already do, but 3 scoops a day gets sickening

[@sauronsaga4839]

Hi, I bought your book and I want to start doing your program, I love swimming in the pool, is it possible to combine 3 times in the gym and 2 times in the pool a week? will the muscles keep growing? thank you in advance for answering

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

Shouldn't be an issue! Thanks for reading my book! :)

[@sauronsaga4839]

@@MikeMatthewsFitness :) nice, your book was recommended to me by one of my friends from the Internet, he really made a lot of muscles :) I'm counting calories and going to the swimming pool. I have a question, my lean body mass is from 59 to 61 kg at 178 cm tall. Daily requirement count for her? Because I have a total weight of 80 kg.