Leucine

Leucine is the most beneficial of the three BCAAs, or branched-chain amino acids. Best known for it's muscle-building and endurance capabilities, it's ideal for competitive athletes, bodybuilders, and dieters. According to research, it's also helpful in healing and for preserving muscle mass in aging adults.

BCAAs

If you're familiar with supplements and protein shakes, you may already familiar with the BCAA content inside. There are three essential amino acids that make up BCAA's:

Leucine
Isoleucine
Valine

Of these, leucine is the most powerful component. It's known for aiding in dieting, muscle building, and endurance training. Unlike other essential amino acids, your body doesn't produce leucine, so it's vital that you get enough through diet or supplements.

Benefits

Leucine is hugely helpful for endurance sports

Even though research on leucine is inconsistent and mostly done on animals, there are a number of established benefits. Increasing muscle protein synthesis is the biggest. Taking leucine after endurance exercise helps reduce muscle soreness and build muscle mass.^[1] It provides a dose of protein to keep blood sugar levels stable, without having to consume too many carbs. Additional benefits include:

Helps patients with diabetes and pre-diabetic symptoms
Improves metabolism
Lowers blood sugar
Increases calcium
Maintains nitrogen balance
Stores glycogen
Improves mental clarity
Increases hormone production
Heals wounds faster
Regulates energy
Increases longevity
Promotes weight loss

Leucine can also help with neuromuscular diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease). The main reason is because it improves muscle strength and can be taken along with traditional medicine and other treatment methods. It's also helpful because it speeds up the healing process.

Bodybuilders

The most obvious group of people that leucine can help is bodybuilders and weight lifters, due to it's ability to build muscle. Bodybuilders have been using BCAA's for many years, believing that the leucine and other essential amino acids provide bigger gains in strength and build. It promotes bulking up, which is great for those new to the activity, as well as seasoned bodybuilders preparing for a competition. A leucine supplement can trigger muscle growth, making it interchangeable with whey protein shakes.

Another reason leucine is good for bodybuilders is because it appears to reduce body fat percentage in both men and women. In one study, researchers gave exercisers leucine over a 38-day period and found that those with higher leucine intake had more fat loss.^[7] Anyone who's ever trained for or entered a bodybuilding competition knows there's a fine line between each weight and body-fat percentage division and how varying degrees of body fat appear. Fat can also cover up muscle tone you've worked so hard to achieve.

Athletes

The second group of people leucine can help is endurance athletes, including cyclists, swimmers, sprinters, and long distance runners. You can improve not only your physical performance, but also your mental endurance when using leucine as part of a BCAA supplement mix,^[5] which makes it easier to keep pushing yourself past your mental roadblocks. When that little voice in your head keeps telling you to stop, leucine helps tune it out and keep going.

When you take leucine during exercise, it helps with muscle protein synthesis after your workout. It reduces sore muscles and allows for greater gains. One study looked at the effect of different leucine doses on eight adults engaging in moderate, steady-state exercise. The participants showed 33% higher muscle protein synthesis after consuming a higher amount of leucine, 3.5g versus 1.87g, added to a leucine-enriched drink.^[6]

Dieters

When dieting, you want to lose fat, but not the muscle!

Dieting, in general, can make you feel weak. Cutting back on calories, fat, and carbs can mean you're getting fewer nutrients and have less energy to use for working out. As you lose weight, your metabolism changes and you can lose muscle along with body fat. If your food percentages aren't right your body will use muscle mass to fuel your workouts.

If you've ever drank a protein shake before a workout while trying to lose weight, you know it can give you energy to perform better, helps you work out longer, and keeps your blood sugar level. It also helps reduce food cravings — in turn, promoting weight loss.^[8]

Leucine works to:

Reduce fat
Keep hunger at bay
Change metabolism
Lower cholesterol
Protect muscle mass while dieting

Leucine supplementation can also help individuals following a low protein diet, such as vegetarians and vegans. It's an alternate protein source that helps build and preserve muscle mass.

Elderly

Fighting some of the nasty effects of aging...

Muscle loss is part of the aging process. A 2006 study shows that aging muscle responds well to BCAA's, especially those high in leucine.^[3] One study found that when 20 elderly men were given meals supplemented with leucine, they experienced higher levels of protein synthesis.^[2]

Recommended dose

A small study on five fasted adult males found that taking 34g of leucine is beneficial for the average 150-pound person.^[4] In general, it's safe to take 500mg to 2,000mg with food or in a protein shake. For best results, take twice daily. It's especially helpful before and after workouts. Most BCAA's have as much as 50%, or 2.5g (2,500mg), of leucine.

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that after a 45 minute workout, individuals may experience greater gains by consuming leucine combined with carbs and protein.^[10] The combination offers greater muscle repair and growth than each consumed individually. Taking leucine on its own, however, is absorbed into your bloodstream faster.

Side effects

Though leucine is safe when taken within the recommended guidelines, there are some potential side effects to be aware of:

Hypoglycemia
Liver failure
Kidney failure
Vitamin B deficiency
Allergic reactions

Though it's rare, leucine deficiency can occur. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, irritability, fatigue, and headaches.

On the other hand, taking too much leucine can be problematic as well. Though there's no evidence that the amino acid is toxic, it can increase ammonia in the body and result in pellagra, or deficiency disease. One study found that taking vitamin B6 after consuming too much leucine may help correct the imbalance.^[9]

Does your protein shake have enough? Is the amino acid profile listed?

More importantly, if you aren't getting enough leucine in your diet, your body can have trouble absorbing the other proteins you consume. That's why it's often refereed to as a limiting protein. The benefits you receive from eating protein, or supplementing with it, are directly related to the amount of leucine you take in.

Food-based sources

While leucine supplements are gaining popularity, you can also get the amino acid from a variety of plant-based and animal food sources.

Plant-Based Foods:

Pumpkin
Turnips
Soybeans
Tofu
Kidney Beans
Peas
Spinach
Seaweed
Nuts

Animal Food sources:

Egg whites
Beef
Poultry
Fish
Cheese
Yogurt
Milk

L-leucine supplements

Leucine may be readily available in a wide variety of foods, but supplements come in handy when you're trying to lose weight or bulk up. Supplements allow you to get enough of the amino acid to make improvements without going over your calorie, fat, and carb intake.

Considerations

Protein is essential for muscle growth. You won't see bigger gains without increasing your protein intake and consuming it at specific times. Leucine plays a key role in that process. The biggest difference between getting leucine through food sources, a BCAA supplement, or a stand alone leucine supplement, is in how its absorbed in the body.

Note that the FDA does not regulate leucine — or any dietary vitamins or supplements, for that matter. Before starting a new supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and side effects.

Where to buy

Here at PricePlow, your one-stop-supplement shop, we love leucine. We like it in our BCAA products and take it before and after tough workouts. We believe it's worth every penny. Just note that if you already get plenty of the amino acid through a high protein diet, you won't benefit from taking a supplement as much as those who consume a low protein diet.

The only issue with protein is that when you consume too much of it, your body stores it as fat, just as if you'd overeaten simple carbs. Taking too much of a leucine supplement is similar. If you're already getting enough, overdoing it is not useful.

If you're dieting, trying to lose weight, bulking up, following an endurance training routine, or just want to maintain muscle mass as you age, you can't afford not to take leucine.

References

1. Blomstrand, E. et. al; The Journal of Nutrition; Branched-chain amino acids activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise; 2006

2. Rieu I., et. al.; The Journal of Physiology; "Leucine supplementation improves muscle protein synthesis in elderly men independently of hyperaminoacidaemia;" 2006

3. Fujita S., et. al. The Journal of Nutrition; "Amino acids and muscle loss with aging;" 2006

4. Elango R., et. al.; AJCN; "Determination of the tolerable upper intake level of leucine in acute dietary studies in young men;" 2012

5. Mero, A.; Sports Medicine; "Leucine supplementation and intensive training;" 1999

6. Pasiakos S., et. al.; AJCN; "Leucine-enriched essential amino acid supplementation during moderate steady state exercise enhances postexercise muscle protein synthesis;" 2011

7.McKenzie, S, et. al.; American Journal of Physiology; "Endurance exercise training attenuates leucine oxidation and BCOAD activation during exercise in humans;" 2000

8. Layman, DK; The Journal of Nutrition; "The role of leucine in weight loss diets and glucose homeostasis;" 2003

9. Bapurao S., et. al.; AJCN; Vitamin B6 nutritional status of pellagrins and their leucine tolerance; 1978

10. Koopman R., et. al.; American Journal of Physiology; "Combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases postexercise muscle protein synthesis in vivo in male subjects;" 2005

By Mike

Leucine News on PricePlow

Blog Posts

Videos

New Products

Dec 30, 2020

YouTube Video
ioWhey Protein | A Superior Form of Whey Protein?

Dec 22, 2020

Blog Post
ioWhey: A Superior Form of Whey Protein

Dec 11, 2020

Blog Post
AP Sports Regimen EAA+Hydro: Get Serious About Your Recovery
AP Sports Regimen EAA + Hydro is an all-in-one essential amino acid and electrolyte supplement that will help you recover, stay hydrated, and primed!

Dec 09, 2020

YouTube Video
RAW Nutrition EAA | Your Guide To Essential Amino Acids!

Dec 09, 2020

Blog Post
Universal Animal Pak: The Product That Created A Brand
Universal Nutrition created the original Animal Pak nearly 30 years ago, but they continue to improve the existing formula with better ingredients!

Dec 01, 2020

YouTube Video
ioPea Protein | Best Plant Protein Source

Dec 01, 2020

Blog Post
RAW EAA: A Refreshing Way to Kick Start Recovery
RAW Nutrition EAA is a comprehensive amino acid supplement that contains all nine essential amino acids and electrolytes to promote recovery!

Nov 23, 2020

Blog Post
ioPea Protein: A Plant Protein With the Power of Whey
ioPea Protein is a new ingredient from Ingredient Optimized that's been shown to be superior to standard pea protein and comparable to whey protein!

Nov 20, 2020

Blog Post
Myprotein THE EAA Plus Greens: Where Health and Performance Collide
Myprotein has combined health and performance with their latest addition to the Pro Range. THE EAAs + Greens is here to help you recover and stay healthy!

Oct 11, 2020

Blog Post
Ghost BCAA V2: Better Formula, Lower Price
Ghost BCAA V2 contains seven grams of BCAAs per serving, along with a hefty dose of AstraGin to boost absorption. It's also dropping in six new flavors!

Oct 06, 2020

YouTube Video
Kaged Muscle PLANTEIN | Can A Vegan Protein Be Better Than Whey?

Oct 01, 2020

Blog Post
Kaged Muscle PLANTEIN: Powered By ioPea Protein
Kaged Muscle has brought innovation to plant-based protein powders. Introducing Plantein, a premium vegan protein powder that's fueled by ioPea.

Sep 24, 2020

YouTube Video
Core Nutritionals CORE POST Review | The Ultimate Recovery Supplement

Sep 15, 2020

Blog Post
Core POST: A Post-Workout Recovery Matrix Enhanced with Velositol
Core POST features a unique combination of fast-acting protein, carbs, Velositol, VitaCherry, leucine, and bioperine to promote recovery and gains!

Jul 14, 2020

YouTube Video
No Blue Raspberry Tastes Like THIS | Kaged Muscle In-Kaged Blue Raspberry Review

Mar 31, 2020

Blog Post
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged: Kris Gethin’s Monster Pre Workout Gets an Update! (2020)
Pre-Kaged launched in 2015, and since then it has received countless rave reviews, along with several awards. So can Pre-Kaged really get any better?

Mar 24, 2020

Blog Post
Bodybuilding.com’s Scream Pre Workout Returns with Innovative Ingredients
Bodybuilding.com has brought back Scream, their advanced all-in-one pre workout. There's a new look and innovative formula with Nitrosigine and more!

Mar 17, 2020

Blog Post
Kaged Muscle Stim-Free Pre-Kaged Kicks the Caffeine
It's been a long time coming, but Kaged Muscle has finally Released a stimulant free version of Pre-Kaged. And as expected, it's loaded and stackable!

Mar 10, 2020

Blog Post
Myprotein THE EAAs: Hydrate, Recover, and Refuel
Myprotein recently came out with The Pro Range, and Myprotein's The EAAs formula brings power AND a great price! Read more to see what it's all about!

Jan 16, 2020

Blog Post
Modern BCAA is BACK: The Formula, The Flavors, The LEGACY
Modern BCAA+ has made its return, and it's no fluke! Some of the team from USPLabs got the band back together and are re-launching this cult hit!

Dec 28, 2019

Product News
EVLution Nutrition L-Leucine 2000 was created.
Category: Leucine

Oct 23, 2019

YouTube Video
Modern BCAA is BACK: Now Owned by Modern Sports Nutrition

Oct 22, 2019

Blog Post
PEScience Select Protein Thin Mints: Chocolate Mint Cookie!
PEScience Select Protein Powder MINT CHOCOLATE COOKIE flavor is out, going for that thin mint flavor we all love while keeping protein nice and high!

Oct 11, 2019

Blog Post
THE Amino Boost: Myprotein Joins PricePlow with a Well-Crafted Energy Amino
Myprotein's THE Amino Energy is an essential amino acid based "energy amino" supplement with 100mg caffeine and l-theanine added for great feels!

Sep 30, 2019

Blog Post
Alpha Lion GAIN-O-RADE: Aminos and Hydration for Gains!
Formerly known as Unicorn, GAIN-O-RADE is a revitalized, full-fledged essential amino acid supplement plus hydration sports drink from Alpha Lion!

Sep 16, 2019

Blog Post
Nutrex Outlift Gets Cultural with Italian Ice!
Nutrex is back with a new flavor, this time releasing Outlift Italian Ice - a refreshing, sweet way to drink the effective pre-workout!

Aug 29, 2019

Blog Post
The Kaged Muscle PIP Stack – Pre/Intra/Post Workout Obliteration!
Kaged Muscle's PIP Stack takes three mainstream formulas - Pre-Kaged, Intra-Kaged, and Re-Kaged - and combines them to form a powerful workout stack!

Jul 09, 2019

Blog Post
Nutrex Outlift Natural: All-Natural Pre-Workout Powerhouse
Nutrex Outlift Natural brings the same incredible Outlift pre workout formula to the anti-artificial masses, with stevia sweetening and no sucralose!

Jun 24, 2019

Blog Post
Ghost Amino V2 Improves the EAA Innovation for Ghostly Gains!
Ghost Amino V2 is the full-spectrum essential amino acid supplement from Ghost Lifestyle with MONSTER doses and huge flavors. Save 20% with PRICEPLOW!

Jun 21, 2019

Blog Post
Nutrex Research Outlift Gummy Bear Flavor is Here!
Nutrex Outlift GUMMY BEAR flavor is coming, and many at Nutrex are calling this the best-tasting Outlift flavor yet! Nutrex is on a roll in 2019!

Jun 05, 2019

YouTube Video
Diced Pineapple! NutraFX Amino Hero Review | EAAs & 4:1:1 Leucine!

May 29, 2019

Blog Post
PEScience Select Protein Released in CAKE POP Flavor!
PEScience Select Protein Powder is now available in CAKE POP flavor, going for that actual yellow cake flavor while still keeping fantastic macros!

May 13, 2019

Blog Post
EndurElite SleepElite: Intense Sleep & Recovery For Intense Athletes
EndurElite SleepElite is an excellently-formulated sleep aid that sports better sleep and recovery for athletes, with herbs, minerals, and aminos!

May 01, 2019

Blog Post
Axe & Sledge THE GRIND: Seth Feroce’s Ammonia-Annihilating Aminos
Axe & Sledge THE GRIND is Seth Feroce's amino acid supplement with added fatigue killers so that the hardest workers in the gym can train all day!

Apr 28, 2019

Product News
MTS Nutrition L-Leucine was created.
Category: Leucine

Apr 16, 2019

Blog Post
Kaged Muscle Amino Synergy Introduces Peach Tea & Orange: Knockout Flavors!
Kaged Muscle's Amino Synergy new flavors -- Peach Tea and Orange -- are out, and they're out of this world (especially Peach Tea)! See em on PricePlow

Apr 03, 2019

Product News
AllMax Nutrition Leucine was created.
Category: Leucine

Mar 11, 2019

Blog Post
Primeval Labs Intracell 7 Black Re-Ups Workout Performance
Primeval Labs Intracell 7 Black is the latest upgrade to the carb-based, performance-enhancing intra workout supplement with full EAAs and pumps too!

Feb 25, 2019

Blog Post
NutraBio EAA Natural: Essential Amino Acids without Sucralose!
NutraBio EAA Natural is an essential amino acid supplement that is sucralose-free, using the same base BCAA/EAA blend as EAA Energy and Alpha EAA!

Feb 15, 2019

YouTube Video
NutraBio Alpha EAA: Essential Amino Acids + Nootropics!

Feb 15, 2019

Blog Post
NutraBio Alpha EAA: Nootropic-Powered Amino Workout Supplement
NutraBio Alpha EAA is an intra workout essential amino acid supplement with added nootropics and adaptogens for a performance and cognitive boost!

Jan 29, 2019

Blog Post
InnovaPharm Recover EAA: The “DO BOTH” Option in the BCAA vs. EAA Battle
InnovaPharm is kicking the doors down on the whole BCAA vs. EAA debate by adding MONSTER doses of both with their colossal new Recover EAA supplement!

Jan 27, 2019

Blog Post
Best BCAA Supplement Buyers Guide with 2019’s Top 10
What's the Best BCAA Supplement? It depends on what you want! We break down the most popular branched chain amino acid supplements to see what's best!

Jan 01, 2019

Blog Post
Nutrex Outlift Blood Orange Brings in the New Year
Nutrex Outlift BLOOD ORANGE flavor is now out, as Nutrex Research welcomes 2019 in a blood orange bang to show off their clinically dosed pre workout!

Dec 28, 2018

Blog Post
Xtend CARBONATED Further Revolutionizes BCAA Supplements
Xtend Carbonated brings the same great Xtend formula (with 7g BCAAs) to a cold drink carbonated form. Time to make fridge space for the first four!

Dec 14, 2018

Blog Post
Xtend Elite Features 2g PeakO2 with New Research!
Xtend Elite is the PeakO2-powered successor to Scivation Xtend Perform, which is an intra workout supplement with a serious endurance-boosting blend!

Nov 27, 2018

YouTube Video
Weight-Loss Friendly Sports Drink! Performax Labs EAminoMax Ingredients

Nov 08, 2018

Blog Post
Xtend Original Picks Up Where Scivation Xtend Left Off
Scivation Xtend has been renamed to Xtend Original, marking the end of a very serious era! @Scivation has now moved to @Xtend on Instagram.

Oct 29, 2018

YouTube Video
A1 Supplements A1 Plus+ | Simple Supplements for Simple Athlete

Oct 19, 2018

Blog Post
A1 Plus+ Supplements Bring Affordable Basics Back to A1 Supplements
A1 Supplements has launched its own supplement line named A1 Plus+, and it's got just the bare basics to bring deals and simplicity to their users!

Sep 10, 2018

Blog Post
NutraBio EAA Energy Unveiled: A New Bar Set for Amino Energy Supplements
NutraBio’s long-awaited take on the Amino Energy category is here, and EAA Energy is exactly what you’d expect from the uncompromising brand: massive.

Aug 01, 2018

Blog Post
Performax Labs EAminoMax: The EAA Performance Sports Drink
Performax Labs EAminoMax is a complete essential amino acid performance sports drink with a few bonus goodies that serious doses to keep you active!

Jul 31, 2018

YouTube Video
How Many Calories are in BCAAs? More Than You'd Think! (Kalman / ISSN)

Jul 31, 2018

Blog Post
How Many Calories are in BCAAs? The ISSN’s Dr. Doug Kalman Knows
How many calories are REALLY in a BCAA? It's only been theoretical up to this point so Dr. Doug Kalman of The ISSN exploded some NutraBio to find out!

Jul 16, 2018

YouTube Video
Keto Connect Podcast: Supplements for Keto Dieters w/ Mike at PricePlow

Jun 13, 2018

Blog Post
RedCon1 MOAB Muscle Builder: The Mother of all Leucine Bombs
Redcon MOAB is a natural anabolic muscle builder designed to maximize leucine and keep catabolis at bay. See the MOAB ingredients on PricePlow!

May 08, 2018

Blog Post
Dedicated Nutrition BCAA Sensation: The Right Way to BCAA
Dedicated Nutrition BCAA Sensation is exactly what we like to see out of a BCAA! A 7.5g 4:1:1 ratio, added rhodiola, taurine, grape seed, and more!

May 05, 2018

Blog Post
Beast BCAA Ripped: A BCAA Supplement Unlike Anything Else
Yet another BCAA? Not even close. Beast Sports Nutrition's BCAA Ripped one adds FATS and is thicker than the others, making it real-deal delicious!

Mar 29, 2018

Blog Post
Cellucor Alpha Amino Ultimate adds HMB to Your Sports Drink
Cellucor Alpha Amino Ultimate is a unique intra workout / BCAA supplement that has Vitamin D and HMB added. Is Vitamin D status what HMB really needs?

Mar 27, 2018

Blog Post
PEScience Select Protein Powder: A Constant Top-Rated Protein
PEScience Protein Powder (also known as PES Select Protein) is now available in strawberry cheesecake flavor, with nearly the same epic macros!

Mar 14, 2018

Blog Post
NutraBio Natural Series PRE: Finally, A Great-Tasting Stevia Pre Workout!
NutraBio's Natural Series PRE Workout is finally a well-dosed pre workout with ingredients we love that has stevia and STILL tastes great!

Feb 22, 2018

Blog Post
NutraBio PRE Extreme V5: A Serious Carb-Enhanced Pre Workout
NutraBio PRE Extreme is a masterful pre workout supplement with 15g high-quality carbs, 350mg caffeine, and a huge open formula from the heavens!

Feb 16, 2018

Blog Post
EAA is the New BCAA: Essential Amino Acids Stage a Coup
EAA vs. BCAA: The battle is finally over! When deciding to use Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) or Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA), the choice is clear.

Feb 12, 2018

Blog Post
NutraBio PRE: Our Top-Rated Pre Workout Supplement
NutraBio's PRE Workout, named PRE, was recently upgraded, and now more than ever it's our #1 pre workout with no 'exotic' stimulants and no carbs!

Feb 12, 2018

Blog Post
RedCon1 Grunt: Military-Grade EAA Formula for Military-Grade Gains
RedCon1 Grunt tackles the expanding essential amino acid (EAA) supplement market with RedCon1's straightforward EAA-only supplement. Get in, Grunt!

Jan 14, 2018

Blog Post
Muscle Elements Post Pro: Post-Workout Recovery in a Hurry
Muscle Elements Post Pro is a serious post workout supplement from ME featuring 25g dextrose, 20g whey protein, and a full 5g of creatine! Build up!

Dec 18, 2017

Blog Post
Primeval Labs EAA Sleep – Get Some Anabolic Rest
Need a better night's sleep? EAA Sleep from Primeval Labs contains the sleep aids and essential amino acids you need to sleep soundly every night.

Dec 05, 2017

Blog Post
ProSupps HydroBCAA: A BCAA with All the Essentials!
ProSupps has reformulated their amino acid / hydration formulation HydroBCAA to now include all of the essential amino acids (EAAs).

Oct 15, 2017

Blog Post
Keto Connect Podcast with Mike from PricePlow: Supplements for Keto | Episode #004
Need guidance about supplements for keto dieters? Check out Mike's 2017 Keto Connect podcast interview on "Keto for Normies" with Matt & Megha!

Sep 20, 2017

Blog Post
VMI Sports Aminogex Ultra — Not Your Standard BCAA
VMI Sports is on a rampage and leading the charge is their new amino acid / electrolyte supplement Aminogex Ultra featuring 7g of InstAminos.

Sep 18, 2017

YouTube Video
Keto Diet Experiment - Does Leucine Affect Ketosis?

Aug 21, 2017

Blog Post
Sparta Hydra8 BCAA (Discontinued, Hurry and Get It!)
Sparta Nutrition has debuted their new energy amino / hydration supplement titled Hydra8 BCAA containing 8g BCAA and 50mg theacrine.

Jul 10, 2017

Blog Post
NutraBio BCAA 5000 Re-Ignites with New Flavors!
NutraBio BCAA 5000 is the no-nonsense BCAA! They've re-ignited their straightforward 5g branched chain amino acid supplement with three new flavors.

Jul 06, 2017

Blog Post
Mind Muscle Nutrition Hydra Focus: Intra Keeps Your Concentration
MInd Muscle Nutrition Hydra Focus is a novel spin on the conventional intra workout that enhances pumps and focus alongside hydration and performance.

Jun 24, 2017

Blog Post
Onnit Alpha Brain – Overrated Cognitive Booster for Beginners?
Onnit Alpha Brain is an incredibly popular nootropic touted by celebrities around the world, but is it really just an over-hyped, overpriced product?

Jun 22, 2017

Blog Post
RedCon1 BREACH: Combat-Ready BCAA Supplement
RedCon1 Breach is a combat-ready BCAA and hydration support intra workout supplement in Breach, with several amazing-sounding flavors!

Jun 15, 2017

Blog Post
Formutech Endurance BCAA+ Re-Launches with New Sweet Tea Flavor
Formutech Endurance BCAA+ is a well-dosed intra workout supplement with several ingredients included to maximize *endurance* and athletic performance.

Jun 12, 2017

Blog Post
NutraBio BCAA Natural Powder: No Artificial Nonsense!
NutraBio Natural BCAAs! This is the next addition to NutraBio's new Natural Series of supplements with BCAA Natural packing 5g of BCAAs per serving.

Jun 06, 2017

Blog Post
iForce SwoleMate – BCAAs with a Performance Boost
iForce SwoleMate is the latest innovation from iForce Nutrition that's much more than another copycat BCAA intra workout supplement.

May 11, 2017

Blog Post
EVL BCAA Energy: The Best Fruit Punch EVER?
BCAA Energy by EVL Nutrition has a full 5g dose! Energy aminos are a dime a dozen, until you taste the Fruit Punch BCAA Energy from EVL Nutrition!

Apr 26, 2017

Blog Post
Primeval Labs EAA Max: A Full-Spectrum Intra Workout
Primeval Labs has finally released a comprehensive essential amino acid intra workout in EAA Max, so now you can go low-carb and keep the endurance up

Apr 25, 2017

Blog Post
PreSeries LEAN by Transparent Labs: When to Use Lean vs BULK?
Transparent Labs PreSeries Lean is a pre workout supplement with a few extra fat burning ingredients than the BULK version. We compare on PricePlow!

Apr 11, 2017

Blog Post
MaxQ Nutrition Intra-Workout: Loaded Intra with 10g BCAA!
MaxQ Nutrition is back on the attack with a monstrously dosed Intra-Workout that's a true performance enhancer while training.

Mar 22, 2017

Blog Post
MaxQ Nutrition’s Pre-Training Pre Workout is Maxed Out!
MaxQ Nutrition has crafted a true world beater in their Maxed Out Pre Workout which contains everything you'd want to have a Maxed Out workout!

Mar 20, 2017

Blog Post
EVL RecoverMode – Enhanced Recovery
EVL RecoverMode is a beasty post workout and recovery supplement that packs in 10 different ingredients to crush soreness and support muscle growth.

Feb 06, 2017

Blog Post
Nutrex Outlift RTD: Finally a Clinically-Dosed Pre Workout RTD!
Nutrex Research Outlift RTD is the new ultimate on-the-go pre workout supplement in a bottle, the first clinically dosed RTD pre on the market.

Jan 02, 2017

Blog Post
InnovaPharm Novamino: Strength Boosting BCAA
Novamino is InnovaPharm's new BCAA intra workout supplement that also packs in a full dose of the proven muscle builder Betaine Anydrous.

Dec 02, 2016

Blog Post
Xtend GO – Scivation Overtakes the BCAA Energy Game
Is Scivation Xtend Go coming to market? We noticed that Scivation has a new trademark, but what doe it mean? Amino Energy? Amino RTD? Find out soon..

Nov 15, 2016

Blog Post
Animal FURY: The Straight-Shooter’s Pre Workout
Animal Fury is bringing simplicity back to pre workouts, but don't mistake simple for lame. This pre workout hits all the right notes!

Oct 26, 2016

Blog Post
Cellucor Alpha Amino: New 2016 Formula Unveiled
Cellucor Alpha Amino has upgraded its best selling amino supplement for 2016; HydroMax is gone, Betaine is IN, and the BCAAs are transparently dosed!

Sep 17, 2016

Blog Post
MAN Sports ISO-Amino Coffee Creamer: A Healthy Creamer Alternative!
MAN Sports created the first coffee creamer from amino acids with ISO-Amino Coffee Creamer Bliss giving 5g of BCAAs and no fat or carbs in each scoop!

Aug 26, 2016

Blog Post
Gaspari Precision Protein: New Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Tech
Gaspari Nutriton's tirade continues with the release of Precision Protein and an industry-first optimized-leucine form of whey protein.

Aug 19, 2016

Blog Post
Gaspari Hyper Amino: Low-Cost Energy Aminos that Kick!
Hyper Amino brings Gaspari Nutrition into the energy amino arena, an all day amino blend to support recovery and muscle growth. With Ilex Guayusa!

Jul 12, 2016

Blog Post
Nutrex PostLift: Loaded Post-Workout Carbs & More!
Nutrex debuts its new Clinical Edge series with a doozy of a post workout product titled PostLift that includes 10g of BCAAs and 25g of Cluster Dextrin.

Jun 23, 2016

Blog Post
APS Chain’d Reaction – Moved from ALR to Bring BCAAs & More!
Chain'd Reaction use to be a carb supplement by ALR, but when APS joined the Hi-Tech family, Chain'd Reaction is now a well dosed BCAA product by APS!

May 20, 2016

Blog Post
Transparent Labs PreSeries STIM-FREE: Naturally Heavy Pumps
Transparent Labs PreSeries STIM-FREE is a comprehensive pre workout that offers pumps, focus, endurance, and power all without the use of stimulants.

May 04, 2016

Blog Post
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Natural Aminos!
Transparent Labs BCAA+Glutamine from their Core Series is a naturally sweetened BCAA supplement that helps improve recovery and hydration.

Apr 12, 2016

Blog Post
Dieselade by Get Diesel: Natural BCAAs Keep Getting Better
Dieselade is the latest naturally flavored BCAA product to hit the market from Get Diesel Nutrition. Will it deliver on taste?

Apr 06, 2016

Blog Post
Olympus Labs ENDUR3 (Discontinued, Get it Before it’s Too Late)
Endur3 and Endur3+ are Olympus Labs latest BCAA / Amino Acid Supplements that are loaded, and bring some surprises. Endur3+ has carbs from Carb10 too!

Mar 22, 2016

Blog Post
BSN Amino-X Ingredients Questioned: Canadian Label Exposed
BSN's Amino-X faces heavy scrutiny after a few discrepancies were seen between the U.S. and Canadian Supplement Facts, leading to questions in the US.

Feb 05, 2016

Blog Post
Scivation Xtend Perform: BCAAs for ATHLETES!
Scivation Xtend Perform is a new BCAA Supplement for athletes - it contains PeakO2, a new ingredient that can raise VO2 levels for all kinds of gains!

Dec 09, 2015

Blog Post
iForce Finish Line: Anytime, Anywhere Gains “Post Workout”
iForce Nutrition Finish Line is the recently unveiled post workout that contains everything you want to speed recovery and full gains all day long.

Dec 03, 2015

Blog Post
Scivation Xtend Free – All Natural BCAAs
Scivation has released an all new version of Xtend, named Xtend Free, that contains no artificial sweeteners or dyes but still packs 7g of BCAAs.

Oct 28, 2015

Blog Post
HumaPro – Protein Synthesis Perfected by ALRI!
HumaPro is ALR's amino acid / protein supplement that's been designed for HUMANS -- using amino acid ratios so that there are no "bottleneck" aminos!

Oct 20, 2015

Blog Post
Muscle Elements PowerDown Amino PM is Here!
Amino PM is the new Muscle Elements nighttime amino acid supplement that will be released in August or September of 2015. Get signed up to hear more!

Oct 08, 2015

Blog Post
MusclePharm BCAA 3:1:2 Energy: 6g BCAAs with a Jolt
MusclePharm BCAA 3:1:2 Energy: MPNation enters the energy amino category with BCAA a full dose of BCAAs and a solid hit of caffeine.

Aug 28, 2015

Blog Post
Labrada Super Charge: New 2015 Version!
Labrada Super Charge is the new 2015 version of their popular pre workout Super Charge. It packs a TON of great ingredients all at effective doses.

Aug 18, 2015

Blog Post
Magnum OPUS: Intra Workout pHuel with a New Flavor
Magnum OPUS has a new flavor out, so we dig into what makes this supplement tick with our Magnum Opus ingredient analysis! Check out creamsicle!

May 12, 2015

Blog Post
Rich Piana ALL DAY YOU MAY – The 5% Workout Enhancer
Rich Piana's ALL DAY YOU MAY is a post workout supplement that provides joint support and has a few different ingredients. But is it different ENOUGH?

Feb 10, 2015

Blog Post
MusclePharm Wreckage – Likely to Live Up to its Name
MusclePharm Wreckage is the new hardcore pre workout that has an open ingredients formula and is nearly guaranteed to give you AGGRESSIVE workouts!

Jan 18, 2015

Blog Post
Myokem mTOR Pro – Time-Released BCAA Supplement!
mTOR Pro is Myokem's newest addition, a BCAA / Amino Acid Supplement that contains ActiveTR, an industry-first time-released leucine for major gains!

Sep 18, 2014

YouTube Video
PEScience Select Protein Review (The Three OG Flavors)

Mar 11, 2013

Blog Post
BCAAs During Bulking – Do you Need Them???
Should you take BCAA supplements when bulking up? Many say no, just eat up -- but there are a few good times to take a BCAA when chasing weight gain!