If you’ve been training hard, lifting weights or hitting the gym often, don’t forget those muscle recovery days are necessary too. Enter: the best solution to speed up the recuperation process — Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA). Here are the best BCAAs from iHerb: think Xtend, Optimum Nutrition, Gaspari and more!
What’s BCAA? Branched-Chain Amino Acids are essential amino acids that can only be obtained through your diet. Namely, Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, with the ‘branched-chain’ descriptor referring to its distinct chemical structure. Apart from protein powders, BCAAs are most often consumed by fitness junkies to aid in muscle recovery and growth. However, don’t sleep on BCAAs because their other benefits include decreasing muscle soreness (delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS), reducing muscle wastage/breakdown, and even improving liver function! Convinced yet? We take a look at some of the best BCAAs from iHerb, so read on for our recommendations!
1. California Gold Nutrition AjiPure® Branched Chain Amino Acids
Why it’s worth it: Sourced exclusively from Ajinomoto, California Gold Nutrition’s AjiPure® BCAAs are pharmaceutical-grade and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Their patented “Ferment-A-Pure” technology produces the three essential amino acids that help to promote lean muscle growth, and recovery.
Serving Size: 1 capsule
L-Leucine: 250mg
L-Isoleucine: 125mg
L-Valine: 125mg
Price: US$5 (~S$6.70) for 60 capsules
2. Optimum Nutrition Mega-size BCAA
Why it’s worth it: Optimum Nutrition is a renowned fitness brand known for whey isolates, pre-workout formulas and dietary wellness supplements. Their BCAA options come in powder and capsule forms, but the capsule forms are more convenient to take before breakfast or post-workout, and deliver 1000mg of BCAAs in one easy-to-consume serving.
Serving Size: 2 capsules
Micronized L-Leucine: 500mg
Micronized L-Isoleucine: 250mg
Micronized L-Valine: 250mg
Price: US$25 (~S$33.30) for 150 tablets
3. Xtend The Original 7G BCAA
Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking for an intra-workout option that reduces muscle fatigue, while promoting lean muscle growth, Xtend’s The Original 7G BCAA range is the one for you. With a range of sugar-free, intriguing flavours (re: Italian Blood Orange), Xtend’s The Original 7G BCAA contains 7000mg of BCAAs and hydrating electrolytes in one mouth-watering shake — you’re now refuelled and ready for your workout!
Serving Size: 1 level scoop (14.5g)
L-Leucine: 3500mg
L-Isoleucine: 1750mg
L-Valine: 1750mg
Price: US$59.99 (~S$79.80) for 90 servings (~1.3kg)
4. Gaspari Nutrition Aminolast
Why it’s worth it: Apart from delivering the three essential BCAAs in its formula, Gaspari Nutrition goes one step further in this Aminolast product by using AmmoJect technology to reduce the negative effects of waste products in the body during workouts. Unlock new endurance levels for that extra push in your next session with this turbo boost.
Serving Size: 1 scoop (14g)
L-Leucine: 2500mg
L-Isoleucine: 1250mg
L-Valine: 1250mg
Price: US$26.99 (~S$35.90) for 30 servings (~420g)
5. Dymatize Nutrition, ALL9AMINO
Why it’s worth it: Dymatize Nutrition’s ALL 9 Amino contains nine essential amino acids that help to optimise muscle protein synthesis throughout the recovery and building phases of your workout. Also includes in this dietary supplement are vitamins B6, B12, and C — all packed into less than 20 calories per serving.
Serving Size: 1 scoop (15g)
Instantly Soluble BCAAs
L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine: 7.2g
Price: US$29.99 (~S$39.90) for 30 servings (450g)
Get those muscles up and running with the best BCAAs!
Muscle building and recovery don’t have to be difficult to attain, with the range of BCAAs on offer at iHerb.com, amongst other helpful health supplements!
Once you’re done adding your favourites to cart, remember to check out in USD (US$) and with your YouTrip card to take advantage of Wholesale Exchange Rates!
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*All currency conversion rates are accurate to nearest 10 cents on 24 Apr 2021 SGT 08:59 PM. Bank card prices are calculated based on 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee.
