An often heard question from young bodybuilders, "I'm getting bigger and stronger but what can I do to get the hard firm look to my muscles?"  Needless to say the first necessary step is to insure that the muscle fibers are being worked to their fullest in a supervised sensible workout.  The next obvious step is to investigate the nutrition options and to determine which nutrients are most beneficial in obtaining the desired results.  It is important to remember that nutrition is 80% of bodybuilding and the bodybuilder who is on the winning course must supplement an already balanced diet.  In the quest to obtain that hard look, the key is the proper utilization of BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids) and their proper co factor nutrients.

What are Branch Chain Amino Acids?
    Categorically, Branch Chains are part of the essential eight amino acids grouping which means they cannot be made in the body but have to be ingested daily through dietary and supplemental intake.  This amino grouping consists of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine and L-Valine.  They make up 35% of your muscle mass and must be present for molecular growth and development to take place.  A deficiency in any one of these aminos will cause muscle loss.  Unlike other amino acids, Branch Chains are metabolized in the muscle and not the liver.  Branch Chains are mutually antagonistic in their absorptive qualities, therefore, must be available at the same time to insure maximum absorption into the muscle system. 

What are the desired forms of Branch Chain Amino Acids?
   Branch Chains can be obtained through the ingestion of protein based foods, protein powders, peptide bonded amino acid tablets and free form tablets and capsules.  The optimum source for bodybuilders is a free form combined with co-factor nutrients to insure maximum utilization of the Branch Chains.  The important co-factors are Chromium Picolinate, Zinc Picolinate, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12 and Biotin.

What are the Functions of BCAAs?
   They act as nitrogen carriers which assist the muscles in synthesizing other aminos needed for anabolic muscle action.  In simpler terms, combining of simpler aminos to form a complex whole muscle tissue.  In this action Branch Chains stimulate production of insulin, the main function of which is to allow circulating blood sugar to be taken up by the muscle cells and used as a source of energy.  This insulin production promotes amino acid uptake by the muscle. 

How and When to take Branch Chains
   For optimum results in supplement form, it is desirable to take your branch chains separately from the other amino groupings if for no other reason than the fact that they totally dominate the race for entry into the body systems.  In fact, they account for upward to 90% of the total amino acid uptake in the three hour period following a meal.  Keeping in mind that the kicker for Branch Chains is elevated blood sugar and insulin surge; taking Branch Chains with each meal is ideal.  They should also be taken within thirty minutes following an intense workout to assist in muscle regenitive process.

What are the Important Co-Factors?

Chromium:  The most desired form is picolinate which functions to increase the effectiveness of insulin, a hormone composed of 91 amino acids, manufactured in the beta cells of the pancreas.  Insulin is the most essential link in the muscle building chain. Chromium enhances the rate at which protein is synthesized by the body, and promotes intracellular uptake of free amino acids from the blood and assimilation by the cells.  It retards the rate of protein degradation by the body within the cells.  This is an absolute must to include in a quality Branch Chain Amino formula.

Zinc/Vitamin B-6:  Zinc is the regulator of insulin.  The natural co factor to this element is Vitamin B-6.  As Vitamin B-6 is an important intermediary in amino acid metabolism; those athletes whose diets are high in amino acids need additional amounts from the body.  The transport of amino acids in the cellular interior is most dependant on an adequate supply of Vitamin B-6.

Vitamin B-12:  Another important water soluble nutrient that must be present in the protein metabolism and in the synthesis of amino acids.

Blotin:  This all important member of the B family has an important role in protein synthesis and the manufacture of glycogen.

Conclusion:
   As with most nutrition, many bodybuilders overlook the importance of combining and inclusion of co-factors when supplementing.  Many are too quick to respond to fancy advertising in magazines and outlandish claims promising the quick fix.  The result of this, they do not take time to study what they are taking and the reasoning behind it.  Many vitamin suppliers are equally as guilty by providing inferior products without the important co-factors.  By including just the base substances without adequate amounts of co-factors, these products can deter you from obtaining the desired end results.  Insure when you get your branch chains from your favorite gym or health food store that all the co-factors are present in your formula.
   Beverly International's Muscularity is by far the most advanced branch chain amino product on the market.  It includes each of the co-factors as well as high potencies of free form BCAAs.