As you look for ways to enhance your workouts and improve muscle building, you may have noticed that fitness-minded people commonly use BCAA (branch-chain amino acid) or Creatine products. However, all gym goers should understand what is better for their goals.
In this article, we’ll explore BCAA vs. creatine, how they work, their differences, and their benefits and side effects so that you fully understand all the facts before deciding which supplement best fits your lifestyle. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What is BCAA?
BCAA stands for branch-chain amino acid. It combines three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
It helps reduce muscle fatigue during intense workouts by providing immediate energy for your muscles. It can also help with protein synthesis, which makes it beneficial for muscle growth and repair. [1]
What is Creatine?
Creatine is a compound naturally found in the human body and is important in cellular energy production. It is a tripeptide molecule consisting of the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine. The human body produces creatine on its own.
It mostly improves exercise performance by making ATP, the body’s main energy source. Taking it as a supplement can help increase strength, muscle gains, and overall performance. [2]
In addition to its athletic benefits, creatine has been found to affect brain function, helping with cognition and memory positively. [2]
Differences between BCAA vs. Creatine
The main difference between BCAA vs. creatine is that BCAA helps reduce muscle fatigue during intense workouts, while creatine improves exercise performance by producing ATP. BCAAs contribute to the building and rebuilding of lean muscle mass. [3]
On the other hand, creatine contributes to an increase in your power output during high-intensity training, which helps enhance both your strength and your training volume.
Benefits of BCAA vs. Creatine
Let’s look at some of the benefits and functions of BCAA and creatine.
1. BCAA vs. Creatine for Muscle Growth
BCAA vs. creatine have different functions when it comes to muscle growth. They may help improve muscle growth by increasing protein synthesis. [1]
BCAAs are the only amino acids that can bypass the liver’s metabolic processes and be used directly by the muscles. [4] While working out, this is particularly helpful since the muscles feel the effects immediately and effectively.
BCAAs may also aid in muscle recovery and reduce muscular discomfort. It can reduce fatigue during exercise, allowing for longer and harder workouts. Hence, your muscles can mend and develop quicker, and you may return to the gym sooner to continue your muscle-building efforts. [5]
Lastly, BCAAs may also inhibit serotonin, a neurotransmitter that causes weariness during physical activity. [6] It may also aid in boosting endurance during an exercise when combined with the likelihood that they help the blood transfer more oxygen to the muscles.
On the other hand, creatine has advantages for bulking up your muscles. For example, exercise causes a breakdown in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an essential component of your metabolism. So if your body takes too long to create more, you may start to feel exhausted.
Nevertheless, creatine supplementation speeds up ATP production in the body, resulting in greater energy for physical activity. [7] The benefits of creatine are maximized during high-intensity workouts like sprints.
There is evidence that creatine aids in the development of quality muscular tissue. In particular, it increases the anabolic hormone-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (meaning it builds muscle). [8] It also helps muscles expand by increasing the amount of water they contain. [9]
Creatine may also aid in the regeneration of muscle tissue by enhancing the communication between cells while simultaneously lowering the rate at which muscle and protein are broken down. [10]
2. BCAA vs. Creatine for Weight Loss
BCAAs are an excellent choice for those who want to reduce their body fat percentage and enhance their level of physical fitness. In addition, BCAA may help with weight loss, appetite suppression, and muscular growth.
Increased dietary BCAA consumption is related to a decreased incidence of overweight/ obesity among healthy middle-aged people from East Asian and Western countries. Nevertheless, it is best to begin with a smaller amount and raise it gradually as required, just as you would with any supplement. [11]
BCAAs are the most popular option for building lean muscle while losing fat. But creatine may be more effective for your goals if you’re trying to pack on muscle and strengthen your body.
Although using BCAA supplements may help you shed pounds, taking creatine may cause you to put on a few more pounds due to water retention in your muscles. It improves muscular endurance and strength, essential to burn calories even while resting.
Creatine is a fantastic nutritional supplement that may help you reach your weight-related objectives and enhance your health in general, regardless of whether you’re trying to lose or gain weight.
While energy levels are high, the body burns more calories, making creatine a useful supplement for trimming down. However, because of the risk of cramping when exercising, while taking creatine, it is important to drink enough water before, during, and after your workout.
Can I Take BCAA and Creatine Together?
Yes, you can take BCAA and creatine together. Both are very effective individually, but many professional athletes and coaches believe they work better together. These supplements provide amino acids necessary for optimal performance and muscle growth during training and recovery.
Creatine and branched-chain amino acids work synergistically to speed up muscle development, strength, and recovery.
You may also take each as separate supplements, as opposed to part of a pre-measured mix, so you can take control of the ratio (with physician approval) and eliminate any additional added supplements that generally come in blends, such as caffeine and extra carbohydrates.
Side Effects of BCAA vs. Creatine
When taken in excess, BCAAs may cause drowsiness, sluggishness, poor coordination, nausea, migraines, and even Type 2 diabetes due to increased insulin resistance.
Someone undergoing surgery should avoid BCAAs for a while before and after the procedure because of their potential effect on blood sugar levels. Also, they shouldn’t be used by those with specific health issues.
For example, if you have branched-chain keto-aciduria (also known as Maple Syrup Urine Disease), renal illness, liver disease, or heart disease, or regularly consume large quantities of alcohol, you should not use BCAA supplements.
Even when used regularly for an extended period, Creatine supplements have been proven safe for human consumption. However, gas and abdominal pain are two of the possible adverse effects.
Creatine has also been linked to compartment syndrome, which happens when pressure builds up too quickly within a confined area (such as the muscles of the arms or legs).
Bottom Line: BCAA vs. Creatine: Which is Better?
BCAA vs. creatine are two important substances for athletes, bodybuilders, and other active individuals. Despite being different compounds, they share a few features in common. Both are essential for muscle growth and recovery after intense workouts by supplying the muscles with energy or increasing the body’s ATP production.
Whether branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) or creatine (Cr) is more beneficial depends on the individual’s diet and fitness objectives. BCAAs may be more useful if your training focuses on endurance. Creatine might be the best supplement if your exercises focus on power and intensity.
However, it is always important to consult your doctor before taking these supplements, as their dosages vary depending on training goals and physical condition.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
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- John T Brosnan, Margaret E Brosnan. Branched-Chain Amino Acids: Enzyme and Substrate Regulation1, 2, 3. The Journal of Nutrition. Volume 136, Issue 1. 2006. Pages S207-S211. ISSN 0022-3166. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.1.207S.
- Fouré A, Bendahan D. Is Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation an Efficient Nutritional Strategy to Alleviate Skeletal Muscle Damage? A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 Sep 21;9(10):1047. doi: 10.3390/nu9101047. PMID: 28934166; PMCID: PMC5691664.
- Cordeiro LMS, Rabelo PCR, Moraes MM, Teixeira-Coelho F, Coimbra CC, Wanner SP, Soares DD. Physical exercise-induced fatigue: the role of serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2017 Oct 19;50(12):e6432. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20176432. PMID: 29069229; PMCID: PMC5649871.
- Casey A, Greenhaff PL. Does dietary creatine supplementation play a role in skeletal muscle metabolism and performance? Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Aug;72(2 Suppl):607S-17S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/72.2.607S. PMID: 10919967.
- Burke DG, Candow DG, Chilibeck PD, MacNeil LG, Roy BD, Tarnopolsky MA, Ziegenfuss T. Effect of creatine supplementation and resistance-exercise training on muscle insulin-like growth factor in young adults. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008 Aug;18(4):389-98. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.18.4.389. PMID: 18708688.
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