Branched-Chain Amino Acids

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

NOW Sports4.6 (2,094 ratings)
Format:Capsule Quantity: 240 Capsule(s) · 60 servings
$27.80 $0.46 per serving
Daily VitaLowest$27.80Amazon$27.80iHerb$29.39Vitacost$30.47Vitacost$30.47

Product analysis

52 out of 100

Branched-Chain Amino Acids combines leucine, isoleucine and valine, with favorable value for the first two and less competitive value for valine.

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

Nutrient Quality20

The amino acid forms are not disclosed clearly enough for an absorption comparison. Their stated amounts do not resolve that uncertainty.

Ingredient Transparency63

The amounts of the three amino acids are stated, allowing direct serving comparisons. Their forms are not identified in the ingredient details.

Value For Money73

Leucine and isoleucine provide favorable value when each is considered against the cost of a full serving. Valine is less competitive, so value varies across the blend.

Customer Satisfaction82

Customer ratings are positive across a large number of reviews. The review volume gives a broad picture of satisfaction.

Product Focus40

The formula concentrates on three related amino acids. The specific health or performance benefit of this serving remains uncertain.

Format
Capsule
Container
240 Capsule(s)
Per serving
$0.46
Customer rating
4.6 · 2,094 ratings
Report analysis

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per servingScore
L-Leucine
1600 mg 77
L-Isoleucine
650 mg 82
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
1,600 mg of L-Leucine per serving comes at a moderate cost per gram, using the full serving price. The amount is below the stated trigger range for muscle protein synthesis. Its source is not specified.
How this ingredient is rated

Active Ingredient Quality & Bioavailability70

L-Leucine is named, but its source is not specified.
Isomer Purity and Sourcing
L-Leucine is named, but its source is not specified.

Dose, Safety & Label Transparency83

The label states 1,600 mg per serving. That is below the stated trigger range for muscle protein synthesis.
Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS) Dosage
1,600 mg per serving is below the stated trigger range for muscle protein synthesis.
Dosage Transparency
The label states the leucine amount per serving.

Value80

The cost per gram of leucine is moderate, based on the full serving price; this may overstate leucine's cost.
Price per Gram of Active Leucine
The cost per gram of leucine is moderate, based on the full serving price; this may overstate leucine's cost.
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Isoleucine · 650 mg OverallScore82
A- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityB- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value
A serving provides 650 mg of isoleucine at a low 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.

Value100

The cost per serving is low.
Price per Serving Efficiency
The cost per serving is low.
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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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