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What Does an EAA Supplement Do?
"Taking an EAA Supplement before, during or after your workout can produce an increase in Protein Synthesis that may create a positive protein balance and result in a muscle building (anabolic) state that allows you to recover and build muscle more easily."
How Does an EAA Supplement Work?
EAAs Support Muscle Protein Synthesis and, when taken before exercise, EAAs have been shown to both improve Anabolic (Muscle Building) Exercise Response and increase Muscle Protein Synthesis. Increased Muscle Protein Synthesis may create a positive protein balance and result in a muscle building (anabolic) state that allows you to recover better from exercise
How to Take an EAA Powder Supplement?
The goal is to have Essential Amino Acids in your system by the time you start training and throughout your workout. The best way to accomplish this is to begin drinking your EAA drink several minutes prior to your workout with the goal of finishing it about half-way through your session. Always choose an EAA with added electrolytes for hydration support. After all, you generally drink EAAs while your exerting yourself!
What is in an Essential Amino Acid (EAA) Supplement?
EAA Supplements will generally consist of some combination of Essential Amino Acids. There are 9 Essential Amino Acids and 3 of those 9 are also Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs).
The Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)
- Histidine - EAA
- Isoleucine - EAA , BCAA
- Leucine - EAA, BCAA
- Lysine - EAA
- Methionine - EAA
- Phenylalanine - EAA
- Tryptophan - EAA
- Valine - EAA, BCAA
- Threonine - EAA
**BONUS**
What's so "Essential" About EAAs?
Our bodies require Essential Amino Acids (EAA), but our bodies cannot make EAAs, like it can with other Amino Acids. Essential Amino Acids must be consumed in adequate quantities to meet our bodies' demands.
Essential Amino Acids can be found in many of the amino-acid rich foods we eat, like meat, as well as in dietary supplements made to address any increased amino acid requirements.
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References:
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• Shimomura, Y., Inaguma, A., Watanabe, S., Yamamoto, Y., Muramatsu, Y., Bajotto, G., ... & Mawatari, K. (2010). Branched-chain amino acid supplementation before squat exercise and delayed-onset muscle soreness. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 20(3), 236.