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Branched‐Chain‐Aminoacids content in food and nutritional supplements
Author(s) -
Pereira Paula Cardoso,
Vicente Ana Filipa,
Cabrita António Silvério
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.877.9
Subject(s) - isoleucine , food science , valine , leucine , high protein , protein quality , muscle protein , whey protein , nutrient , chemistry , biology , amino acid , biochemistry , endocrinology , skeletal muscle , organic chemistry
Exercising individuals need more protein that sedentary people and should make their efforts to choose high quality protein sources. An attempt should be made to achieve protein needs from whole foods but nutritional supplements, mainly protein powders, can be useful in crucial timings like after physical effort when recovery is first priority. Branched chain aminoacids (BCAA's) are one of the most important criteria to choose a protein source, because they are an important fuel to muscle cells and because of their role in delaying central fatigue. In the present study we compared different protein sources and evaluated protein and BCAA's content. The results showed that whey protein powders have more protein in one 30g serving that the same amount of beef, chicken and pork lean cuts, tuna, egg whites and whole eggs. And these nutritional supplements are richer in BCAA's and stand close to 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine and valine. A balanced diet can be achieved if the athlete uses whole foods most of the time, but when in a crucial moment to recover or improve performance, protein powders can be more efficient and more convenient that normal foods that have to be cooked and can have other nutrients that delay protein and aminoacids absorption and utilization by muscle cells.