Comparison Myprotein BCAA 500 g vs Olimp BCAA Xplode 500 g

Additional BCAA amino acids may include glutamine, taurine, beta-alanine, citrulline, AAKG, vitamins/minerals. More about each:

— Glutamine. The most abundant non-essential amino acid in the human body. It has a positive effect on the synthesis of proteins in the body and the maintenance of immunity. In addition, you can find claims that glutamine contributes to increased endurance and strength, as well as the growth of muscle mass. However, there is no scientific support for such claims, and the effectiveness of glutamine in specialized bodybuilding applications has not been proven.

— Taurine. A non-essential amino acid that affects the overall functioning of the brain, nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. It has a strengthening effect on the heart, improves metabolic processes in cells; helps to lower blood sugar, which makes this supplement especially useful for diabetics. From a bodybuilding perspective, taurine is believed to protect muscle tissue from damage during high stress and promote recovery from injury, but this effect is questioned.

— Beta-alanine. An amino acid that is not directly involved in the synthesis of basic proteins, but has a positive effect on muscle...tissue. One of the most pronounced effects of beta-alanine is the elimination of muscle soreness after a workout. In addition, this substance increases the concentration of carnosine in the muscles (and it, in turn, resists muscle wasting), and also increases endurance. This nutritional supplement is especially effective for anaerobic exercise.

— Citrulline. An amino acid that is not directly involved in protein synthesis, but affects metabolic processes. It helps to increase endurance and reduce fatigue, accelerates the processing of lactic acid, affects the maintenance of nitrogen balance, and also improves erectile function. In bodybuilding, it is used to increase endurance, improve blood circulation in the muscles and speed up recovery. Also note that arginine can be synthesized from citrulline in the body.

— AAKG. Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is not an amino acid, but a salt of the arginine described above, obtained using alpha-ketoglutaric acid. Quite widely known as an additive for pumping — "pumping" muscles in order to increase their visible volume and achieve relief. However, according to recent studies, this product does not affect the overall growth of muscle mass. On the other hand, AAKG is not completely useless: it has an anti-catabolic effect and helps increase peak muscle power.

— Jar. Packing option used for both powder and capsules/tablets; quite convenient and practical.

— Package. Mostly powdered drugs are packaged in a package, although similar packaging is also found among tablets. One of its advantages is compactness: the package folds quite tightly, and the volume occupied gradually decreases as the contents are consumed.

— Bottle. A variant used exclusively for preparations in the form of a liquid. The bottle is usually equipped with a measuring cap or cup that allows you to measure a standard portion of the contents; however, the dosage can be chosen at your discretion — the main thing is to have something to measure the portion of the selected size.

— Ampoule. Packaging used for liquids. The ampoule, usually, contains a standard portion and is designed for use at a time, without dividing into parts and putting it off for later. Therefore, this option is convenient when taking the drug in a standard dosage, but not very convenient if the serving size needs to be adjusted. Also note that a set of ampoules usually costs a little more than a bottle of the same volume.

— Blister. Standard packaging for tablets: a characteristic plate, where a tablet is sealed in each individual cell.

— Box. A variant that is used quite rarely, mainly for some brands of the drug in tablets. In this case, in fact, the contents can be packed in blisters (see above), however, the manufacturer indicates the...type of packaging on the outer packaging.

— Stick. Packaging made of polymeric material, having an oblong shape and containing a small amount of the drug; There may be several sticks per standard serving. Occurs very rarely. The stick is considered a suitable option primarily for powder, but liquid is also produced in this form; in the latter case, such packaging is similar to the ampoules described above.

The number of individual servings of the drug in this packaging option. Based on a standard serving size (see below). Also note that this amount does not always correspond to the number of days for which the drug is enough, since the daily rate may include several servings.

The size of a standard serving of the drug, produced in the form of a powder or liquid (see "Form of release"). For the first variety, it is indicated in grams, for the second — in milliliters.

If the drug is supplied in a general package (jar, bottle), the kit usually includes a dosing tool like a scoop or a measuring cap that allows you to measure a portion. For liquids in individual packaging (ampoules), the volume of the ampoule usually corresponds to the serving.

Note that the serving size is indicated based on a certain average person, and in some situations (for example, with significant deviations in body weight from the average), it may be necessary to adjust the dosage. However, it is worth changing the portion size only after consulting with a specialist.

The amount of BCAAs contained in one standard serving of the product.

For more details on serving size, see above, the features of BCAAs are described in detail in the “Type” paragraph. And knowing the amount of this component, you can accurately dose its intake.

The daily rate of the drug, produced in the form of a powder or liquid (see "Form of release"). It can fit both one serving and several. In some cases, a change in the daily norm is allowed, but before such a change, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Country of origin of the drug.

There are many prejudices associated with the “nationality” of a product: some origins are considered prestigious, others not so much. However, most of these prejudices are not justified. Firstly, the actual place of release often does not coincide with the country indicated in the characteristics, since the “homeland” of the brand or the location of the manufacturer’s headquarters may be indicated as the country of origin. Secondly, the quality of a product is influenced not so much by the place of its release, but, first of all, by how carefully a particular brand controls its production. So when choosing, it is better to focus not on the origin, but on the reputation of a particular manufacturer; You should pay attention to “geography” only if you fundamentally want or do not want to support a company from a certain country.