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What are Branch Chain Amino Acids?
Categorically, Branch Chains are part of the essential eight amino acids grouping which means they cannot be made in the body but have to be ingested daily through dietary and supplemental intake. This amino grouping consists of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine. They make up 35% of your canine's muscle mass and must be present for molecular growth and development to take place. A deficiency in any one of these aminos will cause muscle loss. Unlike other amino acids, Branch Chains are metabolized in the muscle and not the liver. Branch Chains are mutually antagonistic in their absorptive qualities, therefore, must be available at the same time to insure maximum absorption into the muscle system.
What are the desired forms of Branch Chain Amino Acids?
Branch Chains can be obtained through the ingestion of exalt protein-based foods and exalt protein supplements containing peptide-bonded amino acids. The optimum source for bodybuilders is a free form combined with co-factor nutrients to insure maximum utilization of the Branch Chains. The important co-factors are Chromium Picolinate, Zinc Picolinate, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12 and Biotin.
What are the Functions of BCAAs?
They act as nitrogen carriers, which assist the muscles in synthesizing other aminos needed for anabolic muscle action. In other words, combining of simpler aminos to form a complex whole muscle tissue. In this action Branch Chains stimulate production of insulin, the main function of which is to allow circulating blood sugar to be taken up by the muscle cells and used as a source of energy. This insulin production promotes amino acid uptake by the muscle.
How and When to take Branch Chains:
For optimum results in supplement form, it is desirable to take your branch chains separately from the other amino groupings if for no other reason than the fact that they totally dominate the race for entry into the canine body systems. In fact, they account for upward to 90% of the total amino acid uptake in the three-hour period following a meal. Keeping in mind that the kicker for Branch Chains is elevated blood sugar and insulin surge; taking Branch Chains with each meal is ideal. They should also be fed within thirty minutes following intense activities to assist in muscle regenerative process.
What are the Important Co-Factors?
Chromium:The most desired form is picolinate which functions to increase the effectiveness of insulin, a hormone composed of 91 amino acids, manufactured in the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is the most essential link in the muscle building chain. Chromium enhances the rate at which protein is synthesized by the body, and promotes intracellular uptake of free amino acids from the blood and assimilation by the cells. It retards the rate of protein degradation by the canine body within the cells. This is an absolute must to include in a quality Branch Chain Amino formula.
Zinc/Vitamin B-6:Zinc is the regulator of insulin. The natural co factor to this element is Vitamin B-6. As Vitamin B-6 is an important intermediary in amino acid metabolism; those dogs whose diets are high in amino acids need additional amounts from the body. The transport of amino acids in the cellular interior is mostly dependant on an adequate supply of Vitamin B-6.
Vitamin B-12:Another important water soluble nutrient that must be present in the protein metabolism and in the synthesis of amino acids.
Biotin:This all-important member of the B family has an important role in protein synthesis and the manufacture of glycogen.
Conclusion:
As with most nutrition, many dog owners overlook the importance of combining and inclusion of co-factors when supplementing. Many are too quick to respond to fancy advertising in magazines and outlandish claims promising the quick fix. The result of this, they do not take time to study what they are feeding and the reasoning behind it. Many food and supplement suppliers are equally as guilty by providing inferior products without the important co-factors. By including just the base substances without adequate amounts of co-factors, these products can deter your dog from obtaining the desired end results. We insure when you get your branch chains from PureVita™ that all the co-factors are present in our formula.
PureVita™ contains by far the most advanced branch chain amino’s on the market. They include each of the co-factors as well as high potencies of free form BCAAs.
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