There are no shortcuts when it comes to getting summer-shredded; you’re going to have to dial-in your macros, cut back on delicious carbs, and push yourself hard in the gym. After a few weeks of swapping slushies’ with salads, you’ll start to see those love handles shrink and definition in places you hadn’t seen it before. You may also notice yourself becoming sluggish, maybe even slightly irritated. That’s your body fighting back against the cut; losing fat and retaining muscle goes against your body’s natural tendency to store fat for survival purposes. In response, it will try and use your precious muscle for energy over the fat. However, as you push through, there are ways to preserve muscle mass and increase your energy in the gym while still losing fat. Assuming that your training and diet are in order, supplements can be a great way to help you power through.
Branch Chain Amino Acids (or BCAAs) are the building blocks of protein. They increase protein synthesis and decrease protein breakdown. But they’re not all created equally. In the market for a BCAA supplement? Here are six reasons why Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA is M&F approved.
1. Five Grams of BCAAs
Optimum Nutrition knows that not all BCAAs are created equal. That’s why they honed in on the three essential ones—L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine—and packed five grams of them together in each serving.
2. Electrolytes
While the BCAA blend helps optimize recovery, Gold Standard BCAA is also infused with 220 grams of electrolytes to replenish what you will (and should) be losing through sweat. Here’s a bonus tip: to really turn your BCAAs into a intra-workout powerhouse, mix one scoop into a sports drink of your choice. The extra carbohydrates will refill your muscles glycogen stores; you’ll feel more energetic and it tastes great.
3. Extra Punch
Wellmune is a natural ingredient, derived from the cell wall of yeast, that has been clinically proven to increase energy, reduce stress and improve immune system function. Optimum Nutrition put 250 mg of it in one serving, so you can train harder and longer. Additionally, 200 mg of Rhodiola—a herb that’s been used for centuries—was added to help with endurance during the workouts.
4. Tested for Banned Substances
There are a lot of sports, and leagues within those sports, that govern what you can and can’t take. With so many, though, it’s hard to be 100 percent certain that everything you’re taking won’t get you banned or suspended. Fortunately, Gold Standard BCAA has already been tested so you don’t have to be skeptical.
5. Taste
This may not seem like an important factor, but when you’re dieted down, a great-tasting BCAA can be a godsend. Optimum offers four refreshing flavors—Fruit Punch, Strawberry Kiwi, Cranberry Lemonade and Watermelon.
6. Low Calorie
With just 15 calories per serving, Gold Standard BCAA is the perfect formula to keep your body lean and your muscles nourished. It’s the optimal way to go on your journey towards a more shredded physique.
Sponsored by Optimum Nutrition. For more on Optimum, visit www.optimumnutrition.com. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
