You’re working toward staying in ketosis and keeping your muscles strong.
To do this, you might need to supplement your keto diet with BCAAs.
Especially if you’re mixing intermittent fasting with the ketogenic diet—but you might not know what the best BCAA for intermittent fasting is.
You need to know if you’re going to choose one that’s right for your body.
Here’s why it’s important:
Combining intermittent fasting with the ketogenic diet means you could be in ketosis most of the time, and you might be burning fat like crazy. However, the fasting state is also a starvation mode.
Body proteins (think muscle mass) are lost during fasting and starvation to keep blood glucose levels up. BCAAs are a small group of three essential amino acids that can help prevent muscle mass loss.
The best BCAA for intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet may help keep you healthy. At the same time, your body stays in fat-burning mode. (1)
Supplementing with BCAAs will help prevent muscle loss, and it will help keep your body in ketosis. This is true, especially if you use a good exogenous ketone base to boost your ketone levels, too.
In this article, we’ll be sharing with you some of the top choice purchases for the best bcaa for intermittent fasting.
Here’s a little bit more about BCAA supplements
You already know you need protein to be healthy, right? That’s because our bodies can’t synthesize all the amino acids we need. Supplementing—especially when you’re in ketosis or trying to stay there—can be a smart move.
But how do you know what to look for?
The best BCAA for intermittent fasting will include all three branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Much of the body’s protein synthesis is dependent on them.
As for supplements, BCAAs come in either a powdered form or as pills or capsules. They can be combined with whey protein powders and other supplements designed to build lean body mass or protect the muscles from damage during ketosis.
Five Top BCAA Supplements to Sink Into
Skim through these quick product reviews to see which one will best fit your needs.
#1: Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA Branched Chain Amino Acids Powder
Unlike some products on the market, this BCAA supplement doesn’t have anything in it but branched-chain amino acids. A serving of one heaping teaspoon will give you 2.5 grams leucine and 1.25 grams of isoleucine and valine. It’s based on casein rather than on whey.
This supplement has 60 servings in a jar, so value-wise is one of the best bcaa for intermittent fasting.
Things that make this product stand out:
- It’s also available in capsules (60 count, 200 count, or 400 count bottles) with identical ratios for the BCAAs and with a similar value.
- The capsule form ranks as a #1 bestseller on Amazon for Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplements
- The powder is available in flavored and unflavored versions.
- The powdered form is instantiated, meaning it will mix easily in water, smoothies, or protein shakes and dissolves completely.
Things we liked
- Taking this before a workout helps reduce muscle fatigue
- Helps with workout recovery
- May provide a feeling of early-morning energy when taken before bed.
- Made in the USA
Things we didn’t like
- The unflavored powdered version tastes bad, and some people don’t like the flavored versions, either.
- It might react to the acids in some things that you mix it with, so choose to be careful when choosing your base liquid. Cranberry juice is great with it, but milk or almond milk doesn’t work as well and may cause it to thicken.
Is this the best bcaa for intermittent fasting? Here’s what other people are saying:
- “This is a great product. Taking it before and after a workout can help with muscle fatigue, especially if you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re burning in a day.”
- “When I was on a ketogenic diet, I became weak during and after my workouts. I also used to have a lot of post-workout pain. I decided to try BCAAs and salt, and it worked so well. I sometimes wonder if I’m working out hard enough.”
- “For the price, this BCAA is the best one out there by far.”
- “The powder has an extremely bitter taste to it, and it would not blend well for me.”
- “This made me gain fat but not muscle.”
#2: Perfect Keto Perform Pre-workout Supplement
This pre-workout supplement is a good mix for people on keto and possibly a best bcaa for intermittent fasting because it combines BCAAs with ketone salts and MCTs. While it’s a little more expensive than some of the other BCAA products, that could be because of its unique mixture.
Like Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA Branched Chain Amino Acids Powder, it contains leucine, isoleucine, and valine in the recommended 2:1:1 ratio; however, it only provides two grams of BCAAs compared to the five grams found in some other products.
Things that make this product stand out:
- Because it’s formulated specifically to complement ketosis, it might be a great match with a ketogenic diet and/or intermittent fasting.
- It contains 5 grams of MCT oil powder per serving.
- It also contains some electrolytes, including calcium, magnesium and sodium, and two other amino acids.
Things we liked
- This product targets a boost of ketones to provide energy during workouts.
- It might increase workout performance even while in ketosis.
- No carbs, so you can use this and stay in ketosis. This might make it one of the best bcaa for intermittent fasting, too.
Things we didn’t like
- Serving by serving, this product is a lot more expensive than a basic powdered-form BCAA supplement.
- Not everyone gets the energy boost this product promises.
- Some people who take this product end up with a jittery feeling.
What other people are saying:
- “This has a refreshing taste that isn’t overwhelming. It provides energy without making you crash later, too.”
- “This is hands down the best product on the market for those people on a keto diet.”
- “It’s too costly for the amount you get in a container, but the taste isn’t bad at all.”
- “It works well when I take it in the morning before a fasted workout. The taste isn’t great, but if I mix it with crushed ice, it’s much better.”
- “The taste is good, but I didn’t get much of an energy boost.”
#3: BSN Amino X Post Workout Recovery & Endurance Powder
While many BCAA products are geared for pre-workout, this one aims to help recovery following a workout and boost endurance during exercise. As a possible best bcaa for intermittent fasting, this product might help prevent muscle wasting during fasting periods.
It comes in jars of 30 servings or 70 servings. By serving size, it’s one of the best values out there.
Things that make this product stand out:
- It includes 10 grams of amino acids. Besides the BCAAs, this product also includes the amino acids L-Analine, micronized Taurine, and L-Citrulline.
- It comes in several different flavors to help mask the naturally unpleasant BCAA taste.
- The powder mixes easily.
Things we liked
- This product provides an energy boost during a workout.
- Many people who use this product report being less sore than normal the next day.
- Some people reported a noticeable difference in muscle mass after a few weeks of use.
Things we didn’t like
- Some people who took this supplement felt nauseated.
- The doses of BCAAs are lower than in some other products.
- Too much food coloring in some flavors (fruit punch especially)
What other people are saying:
- “The amino acid fuel works really well, and I have no soreness after my workouts.”
- “This tastes like medicine. It’s gross.”
- “I didn’t notice any effect with this at all.”
- “This does what it says it’s supposed to do, but the taste could be better.”
#4: Evlution Nutrition BCAA Energy Performance
This product has great ratings on Amazon and seems to be a reasonable price for what you get. Instead of just 15 servings in a jar like the Perfect Keto product, you get 30 servings for about half the price. Cost alone could bump this product into the top spot as the best bcaa for intermittent fasting and keto.
This product has the same amount and ratio of BCAAs as Optimum Nutrition’s BCAA powder, and it has a handful of other amino acids, as well.
Things that make this product stand out:
- There are fifteen different flavors to choose from.
- This product works for muscle building, post-workout recovery, and workout endurance.
Things we liked
- For what you get, the price is great.
- Some people who took this on only a few hours of sleep still had energy without the jittery feeling that some BCAA supplements provide.
Things we didn’t like
- This product has no sugars or carbs, but it does contain sucralose.
- Some people said it gave them too much energy and they couldn’t sleep for hours after using this product.
What other people are saying:
- “These BCAAs make me feel great and help me stay energized during workouts.”
- “When I was on an ultra-low-carb keto diet, this product gave me enough energy that I didn’t have to take carbs.”
- “This is the best BCAA out there. I love it.”
- “This product smells and tastes so artificial that it made me sick.”
#5: Muscle Pharm Essentials BCAA Powder
This supplement provides 6 grams of BCAAs (without other amino acids or anything else mixed in). It comes in jars of 30 servings. Because it’s a potent dose, it may be among the best bcaa for intermittent fasting.
Things that make it stand out:
- This product is tested for banned substances.
- Most BCAA supplements have a 2:1:1 ratio of Leucine to Isoleucine to Valine. This product has a different ratio of 3:1:2, respectively.
Things we liked
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
- It’s a good buy
- No food coloring
Things we didn’t like
- The powder didn’t mix very well
- Some people reported that the product arrived in bad shape—broken seals, etc.
What other people are saying:
- “This product levels me out very well after a hard workout.”
- “This product is a good value and good taste.”
- “This product helps my body recover quicker.”
- “This is the worst BCAA I have ever tasted, and I won’t be rebuying it.”
What value can you get out of the best bcaa for intermittent fasting
There are many BCAA benefits both for people who want to have good workouts and for people who are on a combined keto diet/intermittent fasting regimen.
If you’ve checked to make sure and know you’re in ketosis, you can exercise without the fear of not having enough energy.
Some of the most well-known benefits include increased muscle growth, decreased muscle soreness, and reduced exercise fatigue. One study showed that BCAAs increase the building of muscle proteins in young and older people. (2)
BCAAs also help prevent muscle wasting, which is important during intermittent fasting.
There’s another benefit of using BCAAs while you’re fasting or on a keto diet. Unlike most of the other amino acids, the BCAAs are metabolized directly in your muscles. (3)
This means that they can be used as an energy source—like ketones—in the place of carbohydrates. For folks who are determined to stay away from carbs but still need a little boost during exercise, finding the best bcaa for intermittent fasting might be a smart move.
How do you go about finding the best bcaa for intermittent fasting
The most important thing to consider is what you need the BCAA supplement for. Suppose you’re mixing intermittent fasting with a ketogenic diet. In that case, you might opt for a good, all-in-one supplement like Perfect Keto Perform Pre-workout Supplement.
Conclusion
Although the Perfect Keto Perform Pre-workout Supplement is more expensive than some other BCAA supplements, it provides you with other ketosis-boosting substances, too. This makes it a top choice for best bcaa for intermittent fasting and living a keto lifestyle.
Having the ketone salts and the MCT oil powders mixed in with the BCAAs might make a convenient all-in-one type of experience for keto fans who struggle to keep their lean muscle mass while on ketosis. It also boosts energy so that keto fans can work out even while on a keto eating plan.
