Just wondering if anyone knew the exact differences between aminos in free form and those found in protein powders. Is there any difference other than speed of the uptake?? Does your body absorb one better than the other? For example, if I drink a whey shake with 10 grams of BCAA, and take 10 grams of pure BCAA, will my body absorb all 10 grams from both sources?
Just kinda wondering because I’m trying to be economical and find a protein powder with a ton of BCAA content. Thanks.
Personally, I’d just stick with the powder. More of a whole food than the isolated BCAAs.
I noticed no differences with either.
I would assume you would absorb most of both but the thing about free form aminos being “better” comes from being able to get them into the blood stream fastest, like you said.
I would just buy straight Leucine instead of BCAA’s.
[quote]JLederach wrote:
Just wondering if anyone knew the exact differences between aminos in free form and those found in protein powders. Is there any difference other than speed of the uptake?? Does your body absorb one better than the other? For example, if I drink a whey shake with 10 grams of BCAA, and take 10 grams of pure BCAA, will my body absorb all 10 grams from both sources?
Just kinda wondering because I’m trying to be economical and find a protein powder with a ton of BCAA content. Thanks.[/quote]
Go with the protein powder, you won’t be sorry.
[quote]JLederach wrote:
Just wondering if anyone knew the exact differences between aminos in free form and those found in protein powders. Is there any difference other than speed of the uptake?? Does your body absorb one better than the other? For example, if I drink a whey shake with 10 grams of BCAA, and take 10 grams of pure BCAA, will my body absorb all 10 grams from both sources?
Just kinda wondering because I’m trying to be economical and find a protein powder with a ton of BCAA content. Thanks.[/quote]
If you are on an empty stomach you will most likely absorb all of both examples you gave. If you are not on an empty stomach it is a different story. However there is a million different scenarios then and it is useless to try and speculate. Just know that you are body has a certain amount of amino acid transporters that will transport aminos from your small intestine into your blood stream.
Depending on what and how much you ate there is always a chance your amino acid transporters will be saturated and you won’t assimilate all the amino acids and just pass them out your back end.
The speed of uptake is also dependent on the type of protein. I believe the hydrolyzed proteins (whey and casein) have faster uptakes than the BCAA’s.
In my experience you will be better off with a hydrolyzed protein rather than BCAA. They digest faster, meaning higher peak amino acid concentrations. They have caloric value, because they are a whole protein source, and based off the price differences per serving, plus the benefits I listed, they are a more economical choice.