Branched Chain Amino Acids

Branched Chain Amino Acids

NOW Sports4.6 (2,951 ratings)
Format:Capsule Quantity: 120 Capsule(s) · 30 servings
$15.10 $0.50 per serving
Daily VitaLowest$15.10Amazon$15.10Pure Formulas$15.46Pure Formulas$15.46iHerb$15.91Vitacost$15.91iHerb$15.91Vitacost$15.91

Product analysis

51 out of 100

Branched Chain Amino Acids combines the three named amino acids in a focused formula. Value is favorable for leucine and isoleucine, though less favorable for valine.

AI assessment of the formula, label and price. How scoring works

Nutrient Quality20

The amino-acid preparation details are incomplete. Isoleucine is identified in a separate ingredient detail, but that does not establish complete disclosure for the mixture.

Ingredient Transparency63

Ingredient amounts are disclosed. Incomplete preparation details limit like-for-like comparisons.

Value For Money67

Leucine and isoleucine compare favorably on cost. Valine is relatively more expensive, and the leucine comparison is older.

Customer Satisfaction85

Customer ratings are strongly favorable. A large rating pool provides a broader view of customer satisfaction.

Product Focus40

The formula stays within a related group of amino acids. Its specific practical benefit cannot be judged from the ingredient list alone.

Format
Capsule
Container
120 Capsule(s)
Per serving
$0.50
Customer rating
4.6 · 2,951 ratings
Report analysis

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per servingScore
L-Leucine
1600 mg 77
L-Isoleucine
650 mg 78
L-Valine
650 mg 76
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Kosher
Report overview
Leucine · 1600 mg OverallScore77
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value
Each serving supplies 1600 mg of L-Leucine at a moderate cost per gram of leucine. The amount is below the range described for triggering muscle protein synthesis. It lists L-Leucine, but its source is unspecified.
How this ingredient is rated

Active Ingredient Quality & Bioavailability70

It lists L-Leucine, but its source is unspecified.
Isomer Purity and Sourcing
It lists L-Leucine, but its source is unspecified.

Dose, Safety & Label Transparency83

The stated serving contains 1600 mg of leucine, below the range described for triggering muscle protein synthesis.
Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS) Dosage
The 1600 mg serving is below the range described for triggering muscle protein synthesis.
Dosage Transparency
The leucine amount is stated as 1600 mg per serving.

Value80

The cost per gram of leucine is moderate.
Price per Gram of Active Leucine
The cost per gram of leucine is moderate.
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Isoleucine · 650 mg OverallScore78
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value
A serving provides 650 mg of isoleucine at a moderate cost per serving. It uses L-Isoleucine; the source or manufacturing method is unspecified. Sport-specific third-party testing is indicated.
How this ingredient is rated

Active Ingredient Quality & Bioavailability86

It uses L-Isoleucine, an isolated form that is readily available without protein digestion. The source or manufacturing method is not specified.
Free-Form vs. Protein-Bound
It uses L-Isoleucine, an isolated form that is readily available without protein digestion.
Sourcing and Purity Signals
The source or manufacturing method is not specified.

Dose, Safety & Label Transparency70

The label states 650 mg of isoleucine per serving. Sport-specific third-party testing is indicated.
Isoleucine Potency per Serving
Each serving provides 650 mg of isoleucine.
Label Transparency & Blend Disclosure
The individual isoleucine amount is stated.
Third-Party Safety & Sport Testing
Sport-specific third-party testing is indicated.

Value80

The cost per serving is moderate.
Price per Serving Efficiency
The cost per serving is moderate.
View ingredientView products
Valine · 650 mg OverallScore76
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value
The serving provides 650 mg of valine at a high cost per gram. The form is L-Valine. A sport-specific certification is indicated, though its name is unclear.
How this ingredient is rated

Active Ingredient Quality & Bioavailability100

The form is L-Valine. A sport-specific certification is indicated, though its name is unclear.
Valine Isomer and Source Type
The form is L-Valine.
Third-Party Sport Certifications
A sport-specific certification is indicated, though its name is unclear.

Dose, Safety & Label Transparency70

The valine amount is stated individually. The serving provides 650 mg of valine.
Valine Dosage Efficacy
The serving provides 650 mg of valine.
Label Transparency and Proprietary Blends
The valine amount is stated as 650 mg per serving.

Value40

The cost per gram of valine is high.
Price Per Gram of Valine
The cost per gram of valine is high.
View ingredientView products
79 Performance

The Original Strawberry Kiwi Splash

XTEND
Higher disclosed amounts of all three BCAAs give 3.5 g leucine, 1.75 g isoleucine, and 1.75 g valine, plus glutamine, citrulline malate, and electrolytes, providing stronger standalone coverage than the original. The expanded powder formula adds ingredients beyond the original three-amino-acid focus, which may be unnecessary for someone seeking only BCAAs.
83 Performance

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

Lake Avenue Nutrition
The formula provides 1.6 g leucine, 0.65 g isoleucine, and 0.65 g valine in a focused alternative, although the supplied data do not establish a clear across-the-board upgrade over the original. Leucine still sits below a strong standalone muscle-protein trigger, and full directions and excipient details are not supplied.
82 Performance

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

NOW Sports
The formula provides 1.6 g leucine, 0.65 g isoleucine, and 0.65 g valine in a focused alternative, although the supplied data do not establish a clear across-the-board upgrade over the original. Leucine still sits below a strong standalone muscle-protein trigger, and full directions and excipient details are not supplied.
60 Budget

Daily Amino Acid

21st Century
The lower listed serving cost provides small BCAA amounts within a broad essential-amino-acid blend, making it a more economical choice than the original. All three BCAA amounts are well below meaningful standalone levels, so the apparent serving value overstates practical coverage.
80 Budget

Mega-Size BCAA 1000 Caps

Optimum Nutrition
The lower listed serving cost provides 0.5 g leucine, 0.25 g isoleucine, and 0.25 g valine, making it a more economical choice than the original. All three BCAA amounts are well below meaningful standalone levels, so the apparent serving value overstates practical coverage.
84 Budget

BCAA 3200 mg

Best Naturals
The lower listed serving cost provides 1.6 g leucine, 0.8 g isoleucine, and 0.8 g valine, making it a more economical choice than the original. Leucine still sits below a strong standalone muscle-protein trigger, and full directions and excipient details are not supplied.
76 Value

The Original Smash Apple

XTEND
3.5 g leucine, 1.75 g isoleucine, and 1.75 g valine, plus glutamine, citrulline malate, and electrolytes combine a stronger supplied dose-and-value balance than the original. The expanded powder formula adds ingredients beyond the original three-amino-acid focus, which may be unnecessary for someone seeking only BCAAs.
79 Value

Branched Chain Amino Acids (Free Form)

Life Extension
1.2 g leucine, 0.6 g isoleucine, and 0.6 g valine offer a practical quality-and-cost tradeoff, although the supplied data do not establish clearly better value than the original. The serving remains modest for standalone use, and full directions and excipient details are not supplied.
68 Value

BCAA Plus Branched Chain Amino Acids

Solgar
0.54 g leucine, 0.36 g isoleucine, and 0.3 g valine, plus vitamin B6 offer a practical quality-and-cost tradeoff, although the supplied data do not establish clearly better value than the original. All three BCAA amounts are well below meaningful standalone levels, so the apparent serving value overstates practical coverage.
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