What Are The 5 Best EAA Supplements For Lifters?
EAAs (or Essential Amino Acids) are one of the best supplements you can use because they are directly involved in the process of muscle growth. This Guide reviews the Top 5 EAA Supplements plus an Honorable Mention. Find out what EAAs are, everything they do, and the best choices currently available. So if you’re ready, let’s get going!
A Quick Look At The 5 Best EAA Supplements
| EAA Supplement | Total EAAs/BCAAs | Best For |
| NutraBio Intra Blast | 10g/7g | Intra-Workout, Muscle Growth |
| Axe & Sledge The Grind | 7.5g/5g | Hydration |
| Hi-Tech Precision EAAs | 10g/6.6g | Value-Minded Lifters |
| NutraBio Leg Day | 7.6g/5g | Stim-Free Pre-Workout |
| 5% Nutrition All Day You May Caffeinated | 155mg/6g | Caffeinated, Best for Energy |
| NutraBio EAA Pure | 8g/6g | Honorable Mention |
Reviews – The Top 5 EAA Supplements (Plus an Honorable Mention!)
What Is The Best Overall EAA Supplement For Muscle Growth?
NutraBio Intra Blast is not only an exceptional intra-workout, it’s the best overall EAA supplement for muscle growth. First of all, when it comes to full label transparency and quality, NutraBio is unmatched. Secondly, the formula in this Intra is outstanding. This product begins with 3.6 grams of the BCAA leucine, the most anabolic of any amino acid. Why is that, you might ask? More than any other amino, leucine stimulates protein synthesis, a direct trigger of muscle growth. There’s much more! This formula has 5 grams of glutamine and, as part of a very impressive Strength & Performance Matrix, has 2 grams of betaine. Plus there’s a 4-ingredient hydration complex.
Rating: 5 Stars!
PROS
- Features An Open-Label Right Down To The Flavoring And Sweeteners
- Provides 7g Of BCAAs
- Supplies 3.6g Of Leucine
CONS
- There Are No Cons To This EAA Supplement
What Is The Best EAA Supplement For Hydration?
Axe & Sledge The Grind has an advanced hydration blend thereby making the best EAA supplement for hydration. This fully disclosed complex consists of glutamine (2.5g), raw coconut water concentrate (1g), betaine (1g) and ornithine (1g). There’s also a complete EEA Complex featuring 2.5 grams leucine, which is within the clinical dosing range. The Grind can be consumed during and post-workout, and you can take 2 servings per day. Not to mention, it tastes great!
Rating: 4.5 Stars!
PROS
- Very Impressive Hydration Complex
- Provides 5g BCAAs
- Open Labeling
CONS
- You Have To Use 2 Scoops For Optimal Dosing
What is The Best EAA Supplement For Value?
Hi-Tech Precision EAAs are the best EAA supplement for the value-minded lifter. But they are also one of the stronger formulas on the market. One serving provides 10 grams of EAAs (including 6.6g BCAAs) with 3.3g of leucine in an open label. According to Hi-Tech, the amino acid profile in Precision EAAs mimics that found in muscle tissue. This supports recovery and muscle growth. There’s also electrolytes for optimal hydration. The bottom line is that Precision EAAs are a great formula at a budget-conscious price!
Rating: 4 Stars!
PROS
- Provides 10g Of EAAs
- There’s 3.3g of Leucine
- Contains Electrolytes
CONS
- Claims To Contain Coconut Water But It Doesn’t Appear To Be On The Label
What Is The Best EAA Supplement For Use A Stim-Free Pre-Workout?
While it’s applicable for intra and even post-workout use, NutraBio Leg Day is versatile enough to be used as a stim-free pre-workout. This outstanding product features a 5-Complex formula with NutraBio’s legendary full-disclosure labeling (which includes the exact amount of each “Other Ingredient”). This product also features NutarBio quality – no fillers, no expedients, no preservatives and no prop blends!
What it does have is 25g of cluster dextrin, an exclusive “Performance Complex” to maximize ATP production, a potent 8.6 amino complex with 2.5g of leucine, a hydration complex, and an absorption complex.
Leg Day came very, very close to being the Best Overall. The only reason it didn’t is that not everyone wants carbs in their workout products, and many of those lifters may not understand the reason they are there in the first place (ATP regeneration and to help glycogen replenishment). Finally, this product uses an impressive number of patented ingredients. Wow!
Rating: 5 Stars!
PROS
- Very Impressive 5-Complex Formula
- Contains 8.6g Amino’s
- Features Legendary NutraBio Quality and Full Label Transparency
CONS
- None!
What Is The Best EAA Supplement For Energy?
5% Nutrition All Day You May Caffeinated is a comprehensive amino acid drink that also provides 125 mg of natural caffeine per serving. Besides 6 grams of BCAAs (in a unique 10:1:1 ratio), it includes 155 mgs of the other EAAs and also 2.7 grams of CEAAs (Conditionally Essential Amino Acids).
In addition, there’s a Joint & Liver Support Blend, an Intra-Cellular Buffer Blend, and an Amino Support Blend. It’s a one-of-a-kind formula, but the only negative is the full use of prop blends. This is one of the early formulas when everything they made used prop blends, now they’re moving away from that. Despite that, it’s a great formula, and it tastes great too!
Rating: 4 Stars!
PROS
- Contains 6g BCAAs
- Includes EAAs And CEAAs
- 7 Ingredient Blends In All
CONS
- The Innovative Formula Is Compromised By the Use Of Prop Blends
Honorable Mention – NutraBio EAA Pure
NutraBio has a couple of EAA-based products listed in this Guide and for good reason. Their quality and open labels are second to none. As we have seen, their formulas are impressive. EAA Pure is a full-spectrum formula with 6g BCAAs, CoccoPure™ coconut water, and AstraGin™ absorption enhancer. EEA Pure is just too good to not be included in this guide!
The Best EAA Supplements For Muscle Growth – Buying Guide
What Are EAAs?
Amino acids are organic compounds consisting of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, plus a variable side chain group. Among other components, protein largely consists of amino acids, technically called proteinogenic amino acids (because they create protein).
Called the “building blocks” of protein, there are 20 of them, and the body makes all but 9 of them. These 9 are called essential amino acids (EAAs) because they need to come from your diet and from supplements. Of the 9, there are 3 branched chain amino acids (BCAAs): leucine, isoleucine, and valine. As noted, leucine is the most anabolic because it is a potent stimulator of protein synthesis, a direct trigger of muscle growth.
It should be noted that there are also conditionally essential amino acids. These are aminos the body can make yet under certain conditions, 7 of these may need to come from diet and supplements. What are the conditions that make these conditionally essential? Illness, physical stress, and if you’re an elderly lifter.
When a person eats a protein food, their digestive system breaks the protein down into amino acids. The body then combines the amino acids into various “chains” or sequences to carry out literally hundreds of bodily functions. (1, 2, 3)
EAAs And Protein Synthesis
EAAs have many benefits but for the lifter, the most important is their role in protein synthesis stimulation (especially leucine). The relationship between EAAs and protein synthesis is a somewhat recent sports nutrition development. Initially, the focus was on the BCAAs. Currently, it’s believed that all the EAAs are important for protein synthesis. The current thinking is that all of the other 19 amino acids mentioned in this section basically support leucine as the primary stimulator of protein synthesis. (1, 2).
What is The Mechanism Of Action Of Protein Synthesis?
The mTOR Pathway is a signaling mechanism, and one of its functions is to, yep you guessed it, stimulate protein synthesis. mTOR reacts to leucine levels in the body. As leucine levels decline, signals tell mTOR that there’s not enough protein in the body. This means new muscle protein won’t be synthesized. It also means that protein synthesis turns off. This happens within 2-3 hours after protein ingestion.
As soon as you take in more EAAs (again, especially leucine), amino acid levels elevate. This means mTOR is signaled that there is now enough protein in the body. As a result, protein synthesis turns on again.
Let’s recap. EAAs come from food, EAA supplements, and protein powder supplements. They trigger mTOR to activate protein synthesis. Unless your protein intake is well timed, protein synthesis will turn off. If you’re interested in muscle growth, you don’t want this to happen. What’s the bottom line? You need to make sure you’re ingesting adequate protein in all forms. Plus, you should be ingesting protein throughout the day. (2)
Are There Additional EAA Benefits?
What else do EAAs do? Here’s a list of benefits besides protein synthesis stimulation:
- They Support Post-Workout Recovery
- EAAs Help Ease Muscle Soreness
- They Prevent Muscle Protein Breakdown
- EAAs Support Fat Loss By Preserving Muscle Mass – Maintaining Muscle Burns Calories
- They Help Improve Immune System Function (4)
What Does The 2:1:1 Ratio Of BCAAs Mean?
If you look at the average label of EAA and BCAA supplements, as well as most protein powders, you will notice that BCAAs are in a 2:1;1 ratio (sometimes a different ratio is used, such as the 10:1:1 ratio used by 5% Nutrition). Here’s what that means.
The ratio refers to the amount of leucine to isoleucine and valine. There is more leucine because it’s a “signaling” amino acid – as noted, it signals or stimulates protein synthesis. Also as noted, the primary signaling pathway is “mTOR”, a master growth-regulating protein that “senses” nutritional and environmental signals, including exercise.
Here Are Several Common BCAA Ratios.
2:1:1 Ratio
This is 50% leucine to 25% isoleucine and 25% valine, and the most commonly used ratio.
3:1:2 Ratio
This ratio doubles the amount of valine, which supports endurance and focus.
4:1:1 Ratio
In this ratio, there’s twice as much leucine as the standard 2:1:1 ratio.
8:1:1 Ratio
This is another ratio with more leucine.
10:1:1 Ratio
This is the most leucine-heavy ratio of all, and the ratio used by 5% Nutrition in All Day You May.
What Should You Consider In An EAA Supplement?
When you’re considering an EAA supplement, you should consider the following:
- Ignore The Advertising Hype – You should only consider the facts of the product, backed by research. Pay no attention to the hype.
- Always Read The Label – Note such things as the sugar and sodium content. Beware of prop blends, they can be underdosed. Look for full label transparency. Note the number of savings, and how many scoops are required for optimal dosing.
- Look For High-Quality Ingredients – Look for the cleanest possible formula. That means limited artificial ingredients, fillers, or additives. Patented ingredients are a plus.
What Is The Suggested Dose Of EAAs?
The typical dose of EAAs go as high as 10 grams with a large portion of that being BCAAs. Some studies have used higher amounts. An important consideration when you’re considering an EAA supplement, look for at least 2.5 grams of leucine, and that’s the bare minimum. It makes the most sense to focus on leucine, considering its anabolic potential. (5, 6)
What is The Best Way To Use EAAs?
As always, make sure you have read the nutrient panel and full directions before using. I advise mixing as suggested in the label directions. You can use it according to the label, and you can add your EAA supplement to your pre-workout or protein powder. The best time to take EAAs are before, during, and after a workout. Is your protein powder low in EAAs? Add a scoop every time you drink a protein shake.
Summary
That’s a wrap for the 5 Best EAA Supplements For Lifters. In this article, we’ve looked at the Top 5, plus a very impressive Honorable Mention. We also took a reasonably deep dive in what amino acids are all about with our Buying Guide. All that’s left is to stop by illpumpyouup.com and stock up, then mix up a serving and hit the gym!
References:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324229.php
- Wolfe RR; “Effects of amino acid intake on anabolic processes”; Can J Appl Physiol. 2001; 26 Suppl:S220-7; Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11897897
- Wolfe, RR; “Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality?”; J Int Soc Sports Nutr; 14(1):30; 2017; Retrieved from https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0184-9
- Kephart, W.C., Wachs, T.D., Mac Thompson, R. et al. Ten weeks of branched-chain amino acid supplementation improves select performance and immunological variables in trained cyclists. Amino Acids 48, 779–789 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-015-2125-8
- Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) – Scientific Review on Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com
- Leucine Supplement — Health Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com