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USPlabs made it very clear to their R&D team - Modern BCAA had to be developed under these strict rules: the BCAA Ratio had to be formulated with mTOR activation in mind, it had to be ultra-micronized , mix clean, have no artificial colours or flavours , taste great and it could not contain L-glutamine.
Little Known Anabolic Pathway - mTOR
If you've never heard of mTOR (and even if you have), listen up and listen good as this is one of the most under-rated anabolic & protein synthesis pathways known to man… and… chances are… you're not even coming close to maximizing its enormous potential.
mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) is a large proline-directed serine-threonine protein kinase that's responsible for a wide range of physiologic and metabolic functions in several cell types, including both adipocytes (fat cells) and myocytes (muscle cells). Among its many roles, mTOR is responsible for hypertrophic growth (an increase in muscle cell size, for example), protein synthesis and tissue morphogenesis…
As a result, compounds which target the regulatory pathways of mTOR have been highly sought out for quite some time. A wide range of data have suggested that amino acids are capable of directly promoting mTOR signaling pathways in skeletal muscle, including the possibility that they activate some of the cell signaling elements upstream from mTOR in the insulin/growth factor signalling pathway
Unlike Your Mom, mTOR does Play Favourites
However, this same data suggest that the amino-acid induced activation of mTOR signalling pathways is not uniform, and there is evidence that the mechanism of mTOR activation may be both tissue and amino acid specific.
In particular, the amino acid leucine is indicated as being primarily responsible for the branched chain amino-acid induced activation of mTOR signaling pathways, and therefore mTOR's effect on protein turnover and synthesis.
This hypothesis has come about as studies have suggested that most of the effects of amino acids on mTOR signaling are abolished by lowering the concentration of leucine, or increased by adding leucine and, to a lesser extent, the other branched-chained amino acids.
Leucine IS the Star…BUT…
In other words, leucine is the star, but it also must be mentioned that the other two BCAA's, isoleucine & valine, need to be present in order to support maximal results…
With the above in mind, USPlabs formulated Modern BCAA with an 8-1-1 leucine-isoleucine-valine ratio. In terms of the leucine, the reasoning here is that, from a strictly technical standpoint, the data suggests that only leucine and those other amino acids structurally related to leucine are responsible for the increase in mTOR commonly associated with BCAA supplementation.
Results & Value
As you know, many people are doubling, tripling, even quadrupling their dosage of BCAAs with a 2:1:1 & 4:1:1 bias in order to achieve better results. Given the fact that leucine is most likely the amino acid responsible for this effect, particularly in skeletal muscle, having a formula with an 8:1:1 ratio may reduce the need for such increased dosing, effectively creating an enormous value in addition to the other benefits.
The other issue here is amino acid transport and metabolism. All three of the branched chain amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine - compete for the same transport systems, and as a result, the presence of high concentrations of the other two branch-chained amino acids may lower intracellular levels of leucine.
This is further compounded by the fact that, once ingested, leucine first fulfills other structural roles unrelated to protein metabolism prior to activating mTOR signaling pathways. The result is that BCAA products with a 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 bias may actually counteract the anabolic effects from the product, as these substrates are pitted against one another to compete for metabolism.
8-1-1 Rocks
By increasing the “normal” ratio of leucine to the other two branched chain amino acids, USPlabs has surmised two things:
1. Double & mega dosing may be unnecessary, as USPlabs have already doubled the component that is primarily responsible for the protein turnover and synthesis increases we see with BCAAs.
2. Competitive metabolism between the amino acids may not lower leucine levels to the point that it is unable to regulate mTOR.
Ultra-Micronized
Let's be honest - when your uncle was rockin' his Zubaz & fannypack, he was drinking the same bulky BCAA's that you're drinking right now. Sure, now there's instantized BCAA's - but they are incredibly expensive & made by using soy. And I know you're tired of BCAA “floaties” and losing valuable product stuck to the side of the bottle…
That's why the BCAA's in USPlabs Modern BCAA utilize an advanced micronization process that produces an incredibly light & voluminous powder that mixes great! Plus, USPlabs Modern BCAA may help keep you on your game at the gym or at work - no BCAA moustache or stained teeth to worry about.
To assist with blood glutamine pools, USPlabs has included a compound called Sustamine. This particular product consists of a glutamine dipeptide (L-alanyl-L-glutamine), which is more stable and more water soluble than regular L-glutamine.
The presence of a unique intestinal transporter for the dipeptide may also suggest an increased amount of glutamine to reach the bloodstream and into skeletal muscle as compared to regular free L-glutamine. These notions are surmised by the higher glutamine concentrations in plasma and skeletal muscle of animal models administered alanyl-glutamine, as compared to those observed with free L-glutamine. This is important because up to 65% of regular L-glutamine can be destroyed before it makes its way to your muscles.
Would you step over a £20 note to pick up a penny?
As mentioned, USPlabs added Sustamine to assist with blood glutamine pools, but they want to make it abundantly clear that they're not trying to win glutamine product of the year here. USPlabs Modern BCAA is a BCAA formula first & foremost because, quite frankly, that's what delivers the goods…
If you want a bunch of ingredients that really won't have a significant impact on your physique & performance, then USPlabs Modern BCAA probably isn't for you. If you want an awesome BCAA product designed for those who truly realize just how important BCAA's are, then USPlabs Modern BCAA was made with you in mind.
• BCAA Ratio designed to maximize the muscle-building mTOR pathway
• Ultra-Micronized BCAAs that mix clean
• No artificial colours or flavours and tastes great
Container Size: 536g
Serving Size: 2 scoops (12.2g)
Servings Per Container: 44
Amount Per Serving:
Proprietary Blend: (10g)
Micronized L-Leucine, Micronized L-Isoleucine, Micronized L-Valine, L-Alanyl-LGlutamine (Sustamine).
Other Ingredients:
Citric Acid, Natural Flavours, Sucralose.
Please Note: Nutritional facts and ingredients may vary slightly between flavours.
Directions:
As a dietary supplement, mix 1 serving (2 level scoops) in 600ml of water and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Sip throughout workout or athletic event. An additional serving may be taken immediately after training or any time additional aminos are needed. Using very cold water can hinder solubility and cause foaming.
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