According to a study from Baylor University, men of the right age were given 2:1:1 BCAA, and the other two groups were given placebo and leucine respectively to exercise one leg. After exercise, their muscle protein synthesis process was tested. It was found that BCAA had the best effect in increasing protein synthesis, surpassing leucine and placebo groups.
Another reason for using the ratio of 2:1:1 is to increase energy and reduce fatigue. BCAA directly uses muscle fibers as a fuel source. This is especially true for strenuous exercise, such as weight training. Many studies have shown that BCAA supplementation before exercise can promote muscle endurance. More importantly, BCAA helps reduce fatigue during exercise, which can be attributed to the role of valine.
Tryptophan is widely used by the brain during exercise. In the brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin, commonly known as serotonin. During training, higher serotonin levels send signals to the brain, making the brain feel tired. This leads to a decrease in muscle strength and endurance. Valine and tryptophan enter the brain and compete with each other, usually valine wins.
This means that when you take BCAA valine during or after training, a small amount of tryptophan goes into the brain and turns into serotonin. This will allow your muscles to contract more vigorously and prolong the fatigue time. Valine can also help you maintain a high level of alertness and keep your head clear all day. For these reasons, we recommend 2:1:1 leucine, isoleucine and valine branched chain amino acids.