15% off £25 OR 20% off £35

000000s
Code:SAVE
 

15% off £25 OR 20% off £35

000000s

Code:SAVE

🏷️ Buy 1 Get 1 Half PriceOffersOffers HubBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceGreat SavingsBuy 1 Get 1 FreeShort DatedBetter than 1/2 price2 for £60 Mix & MatchVitamins & SupplementsVitamins & Supplements HubVitamins & Supplements Shop AllCBDShop all CBDCBD CapsulesCBD DropsCBD GummiesCollagen & SilicaHair, Skin & NailsShop all Hair, Skin & NailsHair GrowthFunctional MushroomsVitaminsShop all VitaminsMultivitaminsVitamin AVitamin BVitamin CVitamin DVitamin EVitamin KVitamin DrinksMineralsShop all MineralsMagnesiumIronZincCalciumSeleniumChromiumSupplementsShop all SupplementsFibre SupplementsAcidophilus & Friendly BacteriaPeppermint OilGrapeseed ExtractLecithinCollagen & SilicaOmega & Fish OilsPlant Sourced SupplementsSuperfood SupplementsArnicaApple CiderRaspberry KetonesAloe VeraChondroitin & MSMCo Enzyme Q10Evening Primrose OilGarlicGinkgo BilobaGlucosamineGlucomannanSeaweed, Kelps and Aquaceuticals5 HTPSaw palmettoCharcoalWomen's HealthShop all Women's HealthMenopauseMenstrual SupportUrinary Tract HealthPregnancy & ConceptionMen's HealthShop all Men's HealthProstate HealthChildren's HealthConditionShop all ConditionWater RetentionAllergy & Hay Fever CareAnxiety SupportBone & Muscle HealthMuscle Support & Joint PainBrain & Memory SupportWomen's HealthMen's HealthChildren's HealthPain ReliefCold & Immune SupportFatigueDigestive HealthHair, Skin & NailsHeart & CirculationLiver CareMood SupportSexual HealthSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefVisionHerbal & Licensed RemediesShop all Herbal & Licensed RemediesValerianSt John's WortRescue RemedyAgnus CastusAshwagandhaEchinaceaMilk ThistleDevil's ClawGinseng & GuaranaBlack CohoshHomeopathic & Flower RemediesShop all Homeopathic & Flower RemediesRescue RemedyTissue SaltsFlower RemediesHomeopathic RemediesAt-Home TestsVegan Vitamins & SupplementsBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeHolland & BarrettVitabioticsSolgarNew NordicWeledaBach Original Flower RemediesBioglanBetterYouNatures AidGrass & Co.Dairy FreeGluten FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeLupin FreeNew inFood & DrinkFood & Drink HubFood & Drink Shop AllComic ReliefEasterVegan FoodHoney, Jams & SpreadsShop all Honey, Jams & SpreadsManuka HoneyHoneyJams & ChutneysNut ButtersSpreadsPateTeas & Hot BeveragesShop all Teas & Hot BeveragesCoffee & Coffee SubstituteMushroom DrinksGreen TeaPeppermint TeaHerbal TeaFruit TeaSlimming TeaSleep & Relaxation TeaDried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsShop all Dried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsNutsDried FruitSeedsMixesSuperfoodsShop all SuperfoodsSuperfood PowdersMaca PowderGoji BerriesBaobabMoringa PowderFlaxseedSpirulinaChia SeedsSnacksShop all SnacksLow Calorie SnacksChocolate, Cakes & BiscuitsSavoury SnacksSweet SnacksSnack BarsCrisps & ChipsFlapjacksPopcornFood CupboardShop all Food CupboardHoney, Jams & SpreadsBreakfast CerealsSuperfoodsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesTinned FoodsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsBreakfast CerealsShop all Breakfast CerealsCereals, Bran & FlakesGranolaMuesliOats & PorridgeBreakfast BarsDrinksShop all DrinksKombuchaNatural Energy DrinksJuicesSoft DrinksWaterAlcohol Free DrinksCookingShop all CookingCooking IngredientsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesSoya & Meat AlternativeSoup & Ready MealsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHerbs, Spices & SeasoningGravy & StockHome BakingShop all Home BakingBaking MixesBreadFlourSweeteners & Sugar AlternativesEgg SubstitutesDairy AlternativesShop all Dairy AlternativesOat, Rice & Hemp DrinksSoya DrinksNut DrinksCoconut DrinksNutritionally Complete FoodBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeHolland & BarrettNaturyaGrenadeHeath & HeatherPukkaMeridianNakdTwiningsBionaManuka DoctorGluten FreeDairy FreeEgg FreeWheat FreeMustard FreeCelery FreeCrustaceans FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeMollusc FreeNew inSports NutritionSports Nutrition HubSports Nutrition Shop AllProteinShop all ProteinClear ProteinWhey ProteinMass GainersVegan ProteinDiet ProteinCaseinBars, Drinks & SnacksShop all Bars, Drinks & SnacksEnergy BarsEnergy DrinksProtein BarsProtein ShakesProtein SnacksNutritionally Complete FoodMeal Replacement ShakesPre Workout & EnergyShop all Pre Workout & EnergyPre WorkoutAmino Energy DrinksAmino Energy PowdersIntra WorkoutKetoPost WorkoutAmino AcidsShop all Amino AcidsAmino Energy PowdersAmino Energy DrinksBCAAL-LysineGlutamineCarnitineArginineCreatineShop all CreatineCreatine PowderCreatine CapsulesSports SupplementsShop all Sports SupplementsTestosteroneSports CollagenRehydrationShop all RehydrationElectrolytesEnergy GelsVegan Sports NutritionShop all Vegan Sports NutritionVegan ProteinVegan Protein BarsVegan Pre Workout & EnergyVegan Amino AcidsVegan CreatineSports AccessoriesShop all Sports AccessoriesBottles & ShakersFitness EquipmentFitness GoalShop all Fitness GoalRecoveryMuscle & StrengthLean MuscleEnergy & EnduranceDiet & Weight LossSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy one get one 1/2 priceGreat SavingsOptimum NutritionPE NutritionUSNGrenadePhDApplied NutritionFoodspringSiSHuelPulsinDairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeKiwi FreeLupin FreeNew inBeautyBeauty HubNatural Beauty Shop AllAromatherapy & HomeShop all Aromatherapy & HomePure Essential OilsBlended Essential OilsBase & Carrier OilsHolisticSkincareShop all SkincarePremium SkincareFace CareBody CareSun CareTanning & BronzingEye CareLip CareFoot CareHand & Nail CareSkin AilmentsSkin OilsCBD BeautyHair Skin & NailsWashing & BathingShop all Washing & BathingShampoo & ConditionerBathing AccessoriesShower Gel & Body WashDeodorantDentalHand WashSoapBath Soak & OilBody ScrubBath Bombs & SaltsFeminine CareIncontinence SupportHair CareShop all Hair CareShampoo & ConditionerHair ColouringHair MasksHair Oil & SerumHair Spray, Gel & MousseHair AccessoriesMother & BabyShop all Mother & BabyBaby Skincare & ToiletriesMakeupElectrical WellnessSexual WellnessBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceGreat SavingsDr OrganicFaith in NatureWeledaNaturtintTisserandMiaromaSukinQ+AEthiqueSo EcoAlcohol FreeParfum FreeParaben FreeSLS FreePalm Oil FreeGluten FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeNew inCBDWeight ManagementWeight Management HubWeight Management Shop AllSlimming TabletsFat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsShop all Fat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsFat BurnersFat BindersAppetite SuppressantsShakes & Weight Management ShotsShop all Shakes & Weight Management ShotsMeal Replacement ShakesWeight Management ShotsDiet ProteinDiet Food & DrinkShop all Diet Food & DrinkDiet FoodLow Calorie SnacksSlimming TeaExercise SupportShop all Exercise SupportFitness EquipmentMeal Replacement ShakesDiet ProteinProtein BarsBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceGreat SavingsOptimum NutritionGrenadeHolland & BarrettPulsinUSNPhDApplied NutritionEat WaterNatures AidNew NordicDairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeWheat FreeNew inVeganHealth & WellnessShop all Health & WellnessJoints Bones & MusclesGut HealthHair Skin & NailsStress AnxietySleep & RelaxationBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 PriceGreat SavingsHolland & BarrettVitabioticsWeledaDr OrganicSolgarNew NordicNaturtintOptimum NutritionHeath & HeatherBounceDairy FreeGluten FreeParaben FreeSLS FreeAlcohol FreeParfum FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeNew inShop for your WellnessImmunityGut HealthMenopauseWomen's HealthFood & DietMuscle & Joint PainSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefHealthy HeartEnergyLow Mood & DepressionConcentration & AlertnessEye HealthSexual HealthChildren's HealthLearn about WellnessImmunityGut HealthMenopauseFood & DietJoints, Bones & MusclesSports & FitnessSleep & RelaxationHair Skin & NailsAll articlesHealthFood & nutritionGut healthImmunityJoints, bones & musclesWomen's healthWellnessHair & skinMental wellbeingSeasonalSleep & relaxationSports nutritionRecipesAll recipesGluten freeLow sugarVeganDairy freePodcast
Amino acids tablets and BCAA powder

Guide to BCAA & amino acids

16 Sep 2021 • 2 min read

Whether you love following home workouts or prefer an intense gym session, we all know how important exercise is for our physical health and wellbeing.1

As a population, we’re not as active as we used to be, but more and more of us are looking for ways to take care of our activity level.2,3

From taking out gym memberships to heading out for a jog, a large proportion of the population regularly take part in exercise and fitness activities.4

As we look for ways to improve fitness, it’s no surprise that many of us look for ways to enhance our workout routines and results too.5

BCAAs (or branched-chain amino acids) are becoming a popular sports supplement.6 But are they really worth it? We’ve got everything you need to know below.

What are BCAAs?

Branched-chain amino acids are essentially the building blocks of protein. Protein contributes to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass.7

There are actually 20 amino acids that make muscle protein, nine of which are considered essential (they’re known as Essential Amino Acids or EAAs). These amino acids can’t be produced by the body, which means we have to get them from our diets.8

The remaining 11 amino acids are called Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEAAs), and the body can produce these on its own.

Of the nine EAAs, there are three that usually take the spotlight: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These are what we call Branched-Chain Amino Acids, or BCAAs.9

Handpicked content: 4 of the best BCAA powders

What do BCAAs do?

BCAAs play a significant role in building muscle protein. However, there are thought to be other benefits too.

Some of these may include:10,11

  • Resistance to fatigue
  • Reduced muscle damage

Research is still underway, and there is a lot we don’t know about how amino acids interact with our bodies.12

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits of taking BCAAs supplements if you exercise regularly.

Not only could you potentially build up muscle much quicker, but you’ll also have more energy and be able to fight off feelings of fatigue for longer.13

When should I take amino acid supplements?

If you’re considering taking amino acids supplements to support your fitness journey, you’ll typically consume them either as tablets, a powder or in a bar before, during or after you exercise.

Read the packet of your chosen supplements closely to see when the optimum time to eat, drink or swallow them is.

What is the correct dosage?

The amount of amino acids you take will vary depending on your individual goals and needs, as well as your chosen supplement.

If you’re unsure whether they’re right for you or about the correct dosage, speak to a healthcare or fitness expert for tailored advice.

Do amino acids help you lose weight?

While it’s best to obtain all the amino acids you need naturally through food, it can be beneficial to take supplements if you have specific fitness goals.

Speak to a medical professional if you have any further queries and always read the ingredients and dosage recommendations if you decide to start taking one of our amino acids supplement.

Dietary sources for BCAAs

If you follow a healthy and balanced diet, there’s usually little need to take BCAA supplements.

Most of the time, we can get all the amino acids we need from eating certain types of food.

Some of these foods might include:14

  • Meat, poultry and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Soy products
  • Legumes

Some people choose to take BCAA supplements as well.

It’s worth bearing in mind that research into BCAA supplements is quite limited, and we don’t know precisely how they interact with the body.

There are some promising studies, but it’s always best to proceed with caution and be aware of any potential side effects.15,16,17

It may be worth speaking to your doctor before taking BCAA supplements to be sure that they’re the right approach for your individual needs and goals.

Remember, a healthy and balanced diet is likely to be the best way to get all the nutrients you need to fuel your workouts.

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Last updated: 16 September 2021

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • PayPal
  • AmericanExpress
  • ApplePay
  • ClearPay
  • AliPay
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2023. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.