Inactive muscles atrophy so quickly that scientists are interested in finding nutritional strategies that doctors can use to prevent muscle decay as a result of inactivity. They have had some success in the past with creatine, leucine and resveratrol.
In many of the studies researchers use rats whose hind legs have been temporarily disabled. Typically rats in a control group are able to use their hind legs as they normally would.
In a study of this type half of the animals in each group were given 600 mg BCAAs per kg bodyweight daily. The BCAAs were produced by Ajinomoto. The human equivalent of the dose used would be 100 mg BCAA per kg bodyweight. So if you weigh 90 kg (198 pounds) that would amount to 9 g per day.
BCAAs cannot completely prevent inactivity from leading to loss of muscle but they can significantly reduce muscle breakdown.
On a molecular level this study showed that BCAA’s reduced the production of catabolic proteins which protect against muscle atrophy from in activity.
For the same type of BCAA’s used in this study try Muscle Sports BCAA Revolution or NutraCores BCAA product.
Dominick Walsh is a blogger for Performance Nutrition and TMRzoo.com and covers all men’s health topics and exercise issues including protein powders, diets, weight loss, weight lifting supplements, fat burners and supplement reviews. Dominick’s columns cover everything you need to know about your pre, during and post workout nutrition.
