Applied Nutrition BCAA Amino Hydrate

BCAA Amino Hydrate is a product from UK based company Applied Nutrition. This product states that it can build and maintain muscle whilst also helping to recover. This review will aim to examine the ingredients in this product to see if it can support the claims made.

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L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine

Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine are all Branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s). They are essential for protein synthesis which is stimulated after exhaustive exercise (1) as well as the critical metabolic process in muscle (2, 3). The metabolic roles of Leucine include energy production and the modulator of muscle protein synthesis via the insulin signalling pathway. There is a reason to suggest that it helps maintenance of muscle mass during weight loss (4). Leucine has also been shown to help in the direct maintenance of glucose homeostasis by improving the redistribution of glucose via the glucose – alanine cycle (5).

L-glutamine

Glutamine is a naturally non-essential neutral amino acid that helps with the transport of nitrogen between tissues. Heavy exercise has shown a reduction of glutamine in the blood (6). The amount of glutamine in the muscle is known to be related to the rate of protein synthesis (7) and glycogen synthesis (8) in the first few hours of recovery period of exercise.

L-citrulline

Citrulline malate is a combination of an amino acid (citrulline) and an organic salt (malate) which is a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate. It’s noted effects include an increase in lactate metabolism and an antiasthenic effect (9). A major effect is an increase in aerobic capacity during exercise and greater recovery after exercise; this is due to the rate of muscle oxidative ATP production during exercise and the rate of PCr recovery after exercise (9).

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide which is a complex carbohydrate. This ingredient is water soluble and unlike other carbohydrates, is easily digestible (10) and can give a quick release of energy without any spikes of glycaemia (11).

Tri Sodium Citrate

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid. The benefits of this ingredient that have been observed are mainly for short term high intensity exercise (12). During high intensity exercise performance is limited due to an increase of pH within the muscle and the bodies inability to counteract this from buffering systems (13). Sodium Citrate can help aid this by helping to neutralize and offset these hydrogen ions and decreasing the pH level, this means that the body can perform short term, high – intensity exercise for longer periods of time (14).   

Tri Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate is a form of potassium which has several function such as regulating water balance (15), central nervous system function (16) and helps convert glucose into glycogen which provides energy to the bodies muscles (17).

Tri Calcium Phosphate

Calcium phosphate is formed from calcium and phosphorus properties. It can help to aid the growth and maintenance of bones (18). Other important benefits of calcium include helping blood clotting (19), heart contractions (20), lungs (21) and muscles to function properly (22), this is due to calcium binding with phosphate to create calcium phosphate (23).

Silicon Dioxide

Silicon Dioxide doesn’t add any nutritional benefits to this supplement. The main reason for silicon dioxide in this supplement is that it aids in the even distribution of the active ingredients in this supplement.

Citric Acid

The main function of citric acid is the reduction of physical fatigue (24). The reason for this is due to citric acid being a major component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. TCA cycle is the process of converting carbohydrates, fats and proteins into carbon dioxide and water (25). By increasing citric acid it activates the TCA cycle and in turn speeds up ATP production thus replenishing energy.

Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride is otherwise known as salt. It is theorised that sodium chloride can help prevent cramps as the key mechanism in muscle contraction is the flooding of the action potential in the muscle membrane, and so if there is a sodium deficiency it may cause the muscle to cramp (26).

Acesulfame K

Acesulfame K is a sweetener that is calorie free. This ingredient is used in many products and is used to make the product taste sweeter and does not have any nutritional benefit.  

Sucralose

Sucralose is a sweetener that is calorie free. This ingredient is used in many products and is used to make the product taste sweeter and does not have any nutritional benefit.  

Soy Lecithin

SOYA Lecithin is an emulsifier which means that it helps aid the ingredients to disperse in water rather than separate into oily droplets and water.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the derivative of turmeric and ginger. It is best known for its anti – inflammatory properties (27 ,28 ,29)

Vitamin B6

The active form of vitamin B6 is known as P-L-P (30), which is stimulated by exercise (31). During exercise the body relies on the liver to produce glucose via glycogenolysis, for which vitamin b6 is essential for, and is an integral part of the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme and thus will provide energy to the bodies’ muscles (32).

The vast amounts of ingredients included within this product contains ingredients that can help build and maintain muscles as well as helping aid in the recovery of exercise. This product can be consumed pre, during and post workout. This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label / ingredients posted on the website. 

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

Summary

1 – Coker, R. H., Miller, S., Schutzler, S., Deutz, N., & Wolfe, R. R. (2012). Whey protein and essential amino acids promote the reduction of adipose tissue and increased muscle protein synthesis during caloric restriction-induced weight loss in elderly, obese individuals. Nutr J, 11(1), 105.

2 – Hulmi, J. J., Lockwood, C. M., & Stout, J. R. (2010). Review Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein.

3 – Pasiakos, S. M., McLellan, T. M., & Lieberman, H. R. (2015). The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 45(1), 111-131.

4 – Volek, J. S., Volk, B. M., Gómez, A. L., Kunces, L. J., Kupchak, B. R., Freidenreich, D. J., … & Kraemer, W. J. (2013). Whey protein supplementation during resistance training augments lean body mass. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 32(2), 122-135.

5 – Hansen, M., Bangsbo, J., Jensen, J., Bibby, B. M., & Madsen, K. (2014). Effect of Whey Protein Hydrolysate on Performance and Recovery of Top-Class Orienteering Runners. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism.

6 – Parry-Billings, M., Budgett, R., Koutedakis, Y., Blomstrand, E., Brooks, S.., Williams, C.,  & Newsholme, E. A. (1992). Plasma amino acid concentrations in the overtraining syndrome: possible effects on the immune system. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 24(12), 1353-1358.

7 – Rennie, M. J., Edwards, R. H. T., Krywawych, S., Davies, C. T., Halliday, D., Waterlow, J. C., & Millward, D. J. (1981). Effect of exercise on protein turnover in man. Clin Sci, 61(5), 627-639.

8 – Bowtell, J. L., Gelly, K., Jackman, M. L., Patel, A., Simeoni, M., & Rennie, M. J. (1999). Effect of oral glutamine on whole body carbohydrate storage during recovery from exhaustive exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(6), 1770-1777.

9 – Bendahan, D., Mattei, J. P., Ghattas, B., Confort-Gouny, S., Le Guern, M. E., & Cozzone, P. J. (2002). Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle. British journal of sports medicine, 36(4), 282-289.

10 – Haralampu, S. G. (2000). Resistant starch—a review of the physical properties and biological impact of RS< sub> 3</sub>. Carbohydrate polymers, 41(3), 285-292.

11 – Roberts, M., Lockwood, C., Dalbo, V. J., Tucker, P., Frye, A., Polk, R., … & Kerksick, C. (2009). Ingestion of a high molecular weight modified waxy maize starch alters metabolic responses to prolonged exercise in trained cyclists. In FASEB abstract.

12 – Parry-Billings, M., & MacLaren, D. P. M. (1986). The effect of sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate ingestion on anaerobic power during intermittent exercise. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology,55(5), 524-529.

13 – Oöpik, V., Saaremets, I., Medijainen, L., Karelson, K., Janson, T., & Timpmann, S. (2003). Effects of sodium citrate ingestion before exercise on endurance performance in well trained college runners. British journal of sports medicine, 37(6), 485-489.

14 – McNaughton, L., Backx, K., Palmer, G., & Strange, N. (1999). Effects of chronic bicarbonate ingestion on the performance of high-intensity work.European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology, 80(4), 333-336.

15 – Lemann Jr, J., Pleuss, J. A., Gray, R. W., & Hoffmann, R. G. (1991). Potassium administration increases and potassium deprivation reduces urinary calcium excretion in healthy adults. Kidney Int, 39(5), 973-983.

16 – Goto, A. T. S. U. O., Tobian, L., & Iwai, J. (1981). Potassium feeding reduces hyperactive central nervous system pressor responses in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Hypertension, 3(3 Pt 2), I128.

17 – Brady, R. O., Mamoon, A. M., & Stadtman, E. R. (1956). The effects of citrate and coenzyme A on fatty acid metabolism. Journal of Biological Chemistry,222(2), 795-802.

18 – Harada, S. I., & Rodan, G. A. (2003). Control of osteoblast function and regulation of bone mass. Nature, 423(6937), 349-355.

19 – Bogdanova, A., Makhro, A., Wang, J., Lipp, P., & Kaestner, L. (2013). Calcium in Red Blood Cells—A Perilous Balance. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(5), 9848-9872.

20 – Dhalla, N. S., Pierce, G. N., Panagia, V., Singal, P. K., & Beamish, R. E. (1982). Calcium movements in relation to heart function. Basic research in cardiology, 77(2), 117-139.

21 – Hawgood, S., Benson, B. J., & Hamilton Jr, R. L. (1985). Effects of a surfactant-associated protein and calcium ions on the structure and surface activity of lung surfactant lipids. Biochemistry, 24(1), 184-190.

22 – Berchtold, M. W., Brinkmeier, H., & Müntener, M. (2000). Calcium ion in skeletal muscle: its crucial role for muscle function, plasticity, and disease.Physiological reviews, 80(3), 1215-1265. 

23 – Shanahan, C. M., Crouthamel, M. H., Kapustin, A., & Giachelli, C. M. (2011). Arterial calcification in chronic kidney disease: key roles for calcium and phosphate. Circulation research, 109(6), 697-711.

24 – Sugino, T., Aoyagi, S., Shirai, T., Kajimoto, Y., & Kajimoto, O. (2007). Effects of citric acid and L-carnitine on physical fatigue. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, 41(3), 224.

25 – Baldwin, J. E., & Krebs, H. (1981). The evolution of metabolic cycles.

26 – McCance, R. A. (1936). Experimental sodium chloride deficiency in man.Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences,119(814), 245-268.

27 – DiSilvestro, R. A., Joseph, E., Zhao, S., & Bomser, J. (2012). Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle aged people. Nutrition journal, 11(1), 79.

28 – Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. The AAPS journal, 15(1), 195-218.

29 – Biswas, J., Sinha, D., Mukherjee, S., Roy, S., Siddiqi, M., & Roy, M. (2010). Curcumin protects DNA damage in a chronically arsenic-exposed population of West Bengal. Human & experimental toxicology, 29(6), 513-524.

30 – Ubbink, J. B., Vermaak, W. J., van der Merwe, A., & Becker, P. J. (1993). Vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate nutritional status in men with hyperhomocysteinemia. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 57(1), 47-53.

31 – Manore, M. M. (2000). Effect of physical activity on thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 requirements. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 72(2), 598s-606s.

32 – Manore, M. N., Leklem, J. E., & Walter, M. C. (1987). Vitamin B-6 metabolism as affected by exercise in trained and untrained women fed diets differing in carbohydrate and vitamin B-6 content. The American journal of clinical nutrition,46(6), 995-1004.