What’s the Difference Between EAAs and BCAAs?

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EAAs and BCAAs are amino acids. An amino acid is basically a breakdown of a protein. They are the building blocks of protein. EAAs are essential amino acids that are different from other amino acids. There are 20 amino acids in all, but nine are considered essential amino acids. These amino acids perform various functions. They cannot be synthesized by the human body naturally. To obtain essential amino acids, also called EAAs, a person must take supplements since the body cannot produce them independently. They have to be added to the diet. In total, there are nine essential amino acids. There are nine amino acids: leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan, lysine, phenylalanine, histidine, valine, and threonine. Three of them are BCAAS.

In BCAA, also called Branched Chain Amino Acids, three amino acids out of nine are essential. Branched molecular structures form the building structures of proteins. There are 3 types of BCAAS: valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Sports supplements with these components are among the most in-demand in the market today. Whereas in EAA, there are nine amino acids. Supplements are needed to fulfill the body’s requirements because it cannot produce them independently.

The comparison between BCAAs and EAAs at a glance

1. With respect to the structure of their molecules, BCAAs and EAAs are quite different from each other. The BCAA has an aliphatic side chain. They have carbon atoms connected to three or more than three carbon atoms. EAAs, along with branched-chain amino acids, form a molecular structure of essential amino acids.

2. The BCAAs consist of three essential amino acids, namely, Valine, Isoleucine, and Leucine, whereas EAAs include nine essential amino acids. 

3. Their response to protein synthesis is also different. A BCAA has a very low protein-synthesizing response and is not recommended for exercise. Exercise is an excellent way to take in EAAs, as they have a high response to protein synthesis.

4. If we consider the energy level they provide during highly intensive training sessions, BCAAs promote strength and endurance and help reduce muscle fatigue. When trained intensely, EAAs do not help prevent muscle fatigue and boost strength and endurance as much as BCAAs.

5. BCAAs and EAAs differ a lot when providing support for the immune system. As a result of the absence of histamine, a powerful immunity-boosting amino acid, BCAAs do not supply as effective an immune boost as EAAs. EAAs contain a constituent of histidine that provides immunity support in the form of histamine.

How do BCAAs work?

There are three essential amino acids: Valine, Isoleucine, and Leucine. Amino acids with branched chains are also known as BCAAs. The BCAAs help boost synthesis of muscle protein and prevent muscle breakdown. In addition to promoting muscle recovery, they also relieve post-workout soreness.

Benefits

BCAAs have the following benefits:

1. It has been found that BCAAs reduce the likeliness of muscles getting tired. Taking BCAA supplements before working out enhances your workout since the muscles can exercise for longer periods. 

2. BCAAs have been found to reduce physical and mental fatigue by 15%. 

3. A major benefit of BCAA is that it enhances muscle and joint recovery. Moreover, they can also help reduce the soreness of muscles.

Drawbacks

BCAA has the following significant drawbacks:

1. Metabolism of blood sugar is adversely affected by BCAAs, which is one of their major drawbacks.

2. Pregnant women and lactating women should not take BCAA since it could negatively affect their babies.

3. A person’s sleep cycle is hampered due to low serotonin levels caused by taking BCAAs.

4. Metabolism of several other proteins may also be dysregulated by it.

By taking BCAA, a person may not benefit from all nine essential amino acids available in the EAAs.

How do EAAs work?

There are nine essential amino acids in the body of a human that perform different functions. It consists of leucine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan, lysine, phenylalanine, histidine, valine, and threonine. In addition to increasing a person’s endurance and strength, it helps build muscle. They have to be taken through the best EAA supplements.

Benefits

EAAs have the following benefits:

1. Since EAA contains all the required amino acids necessary to increase muscle protein synthesis, it has a significant impact on enhancing it.

2. A protein called histidine, which produces histamine, helps provide better support to the immune system. EAAs have this component and are great for the immune system.

3. Additionally, it assists in maintaining the body’s hormonal balance as lysine and leucine are amino acids that maintain the body’s endocrine system.

4. It also helps a person lose weight since methionine, an EEA, aids in increasing fat metabolism and detoxification of an individual’s body. Furthermore, it can make you happier and more optimistic.

Drawbacks

EAAs have the following significant drawbacks:

1. As these supplements may harm a child’s digestive system, they should be used under the supervision of a doctor.

So the basic differences between BCAA and EAA are:

1. Compared with EAAs, BCAAs contain aliphatic side-chains and carbon atoms in the middle attached to a triple or quadruple carbon structure, while BCAAs comprise every essential amino acid.

2. EAAs consist of nine amino acids, while BCAAs contain just three.

3. The BCAA has a poor protein synthesis response, whereas the EAA is exceptional.

4. As BCAA supplements do not contain histidine, they do not provide as much of an immune boost as EAA supplements.

5. EAAs tend to counteract muscle fatigue less effectively than BCAAs when fighting muscle fatigue.

Conclusion

There are pros and cons to BCAA and EAA, but you can decide which one to purchase based on your wants and needs. To differentiate between the two products, it should be determined by what someone expects from the supplement. There is little difference in price between the supplements, but they serve different purposes. Each essential amino acid is contained in the essential amino acid complex. The BCAAs, however, are composed of three fundamental amino acids. Vegetarians should choose EAAs. BCAAs can also be used by those who are not vegetarians. The best decision for purchase can be made after consulting with a gym trainer.