One of
the challenges in maintaining focus during intense training and physical
exercise is mental fatigue. Whereas most athletes worry about and
take corrective action to ward against muscle fatigue, mental fatigue
must be combated as well. In fact, recent research has placed increasing
emphasis on mental fatigue during exercise. This mental fatigue is
commonly referred to as central fatigue because of the involvement
of the central nervous system. While central fatigue does not affect
muscles, it can reduce the capacity to perform optimally.
There
is a correlation between the amino acid tryptophan in the brain and
the degree of mental fatigue. Upon entry into the brain, tryptophan
has the ability to "calm" the central nervous system, causing
sleep and drowsiness. Normally, there are sufficient amounts of branched-chain
amino acids (BCAAs) circulating in the bloodstream to control the
entry of tryptophan into the brain. During long-term and sustained
exercise, however, muscles use large amounts of amino acids as a source
for energy. The body prefers to use BCAAs for energy, since they readily
replace glucose in the energy production pathways. As muscles begin
to use BCAAs, the amounts of these amino acids drop, which allows
tryptophan to enter the brain, inducing fatigue and tiredness. Research
shows that supplementation with branched-chain amino acids can prevent
central fatigue by tightly regulating the influx of tryptophan to
the brain. Supplementation before and during exercise has been proven
to enhance performance.
Branched-chain
amino acids
include leucine, isoleucine and valine. These amino acids are needed
for the maintenance of muscle tissue during physical stress and intense
exercise. From the perspective of athletes, BCAAs function as anabolic
agents and induce sparing, which allows the body to burn fat and not
muscle.
Nutrient
needs often increase faster than calorie needs in athletes. Ultimate
Nutrition is committed to providing athletes with the best products
to fulfill exactly those needs. Ultimate Nutrition's 100% Crystalline
BCAA 12,000 Powder is one product designed to increase endurance,
lengthen the time to fatigue and improve performance.
Supplement Facts
Serving size: 1 scoop (about 6g)
About 67 servings
Amount per serving:
L-Leucine
(USP)............... 3000 mg
L-Valine (USP)................. 1500 mg
L-Isoleucine (USP) ............1500 mg
Other Ingredients: Waxy Maize and Soy Lecithin.
Directions: Mix one scoop (about 6g) with 6-8 ounces of water
or your favorite cold beverage. For optimal use, take between meals
and immediately after your workout. For serious bodybuilders we recommend
mixing two scoops.
