In a single-blind, matched group design: Branched-chain amino acid supplementation and resistance training maintains lean body mass during a caloric restricted diet

May combine two claims.

The CHO group did not lose fat mass, though the trend (p < 0.1) was strong.

“there was not a loss of fat mass, though the trend (p < 0.1) was strong.”

May combine two claims.

Eight weeks of resistance training combined with a BCAA supplement and caloric restriction elicited a significant difference in RMR between BCAA and CHO groups, where the BCAA group decreased RMR and the CHO group showed no changes.

“Eight weeks of resistance training combined with a BCAA supplement and caloric restriction elicited a significant difference in RMR between BCAA and CHO groups, where the BCAA group decreased RMR and the CHO group showed no changes.”

May combine two claims.

The 26 g daily ingestion of BCAA product in this study had a beneficial effect of reduced fat mass and lean mass maintenance.

“Similarly, the 26 g daily ingestion of BCAA product in our study had a beneficial effect of reduced fat mass and lean mass maintenance.”

May combine two claims.

We observed consistent and nearly uniform responses from subjects across the other measures of muscular performance, but in the repetitions to fatigue a couple subjects showed tremendous improvements, thus resulting in a significant group change.

“We observed consistent and nearly uniform responses from subjects across the other measures of muscular performance, but in the repetitions to fatigue a couple subjects showed tremendous improvements, thus resulting in a significant group change.”

May combine two claims.

BCAA supplementation may augment or stimulate skeletal muscle regeneration by suppressing post-exercise protein degradation, leading to greater gains in lean mass.

“Nutritional supplements such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; valine, leucine, isoleucine) may augment or stimulate skeletal muscle regeneration by suppressing post-exercise protein degradation, therefore leading to greater gains in lean mass [5].”

• cites [5] Kreider RB, 2010, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Maintaining an energy deficient diet during a period of intense or unaccustomed resistance training may lead to significant losses in lean mass and decrease work output.

“However, maintaining an energy deficient diet during a period of intense or unaccustomed resistance training may lead to significant losses in lean mass and decrease work output, thus hindering athletic performance, as well as increasing the risk for acute illness and training-related injury [5, 7, 8].”

• cites [5] Kreider RB, 2010, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [7] Garthe, I., Taastad, T., Refsnes, P.E., Koivisto, A. & Sundgot-Borgen, J. Effect of two different weight loss rates on body composition and strength and power-related performance in elite athletes. Int J Sport Nut Ex Met. 2011; 21(2):91–104. sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [8] Howatson G, 2012, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Consumption of leucine can turn individuals from a negative to a positive whole body protein balance after intense resistance training exercise.

“Similarly, Norton & Layman [14] found that the consumption of leucine, one of three BCAAs, can turn individuals from a negative to a positive whole body protein balance after intense resistance training exercise [14].”

• cites [14] Norton LE, 2006, J Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study used a single-blind, matched group design.

“In a single-blind, matched group design, subjects were provided a body building style split resistance training program for 8 weeks (four days/week).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This finding is consistent with other studies that have reported enhanced skeletal muscle protein synthesis and lean muscle maintenance in response to exercise and BCAA supplementation.

“This finding is consistent with other studies that have reported enhanced skeletal muscle protein synthesis and lean muscle maintenance in response to exercise and BCAA supplementation [13, 25].”

• cites [13] Spillane M, 2012, J Sport Sci MedNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [25] Tipton KD, 2010, Med Sci Sport Ex sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

High fructose corn syrup and other processed carbohydrates such as sucrose have been associated with fat accumulation.

“HFCS, and other processed carbohydrates such as sucrose, have been associated with fat accumulation [21, 22].”

• cites [21] Maersk M, 2012, Am J Clin Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [22] Bocarsly ME, 2010, Pharmacol Biochem Be sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Resistance training performed regularly has been shown to increase strength, muscular endurance, skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and favorable changes in body composition, including decreases in body fat mass and increases in lean mass.

“When performed regularly, resistance training has been shown to increase strength, muscular endurance, skeletal muscle hypertrophy, as well as result in favorable changes in body composition, including decreases in body fat mass and increases in lean mass, all of which can improve health-related quality of life [4–6].”

• cites [4] Mielke M, 2009, J Ex PhysNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [5] Kreider RB, 2010, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [6] Winett RA, 2010, Cur Sport Med Reports (ACSM) sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Subjects were randomized to pre-exercise and post-exercise ingestion of either a BCAA nutritional supplement or a carbohydrate based supplement.

“Further, subjects were randomized to pre-exercise and post-exercise ingestion of either a BCAA nutritional supplement (Scivation XTend™, Scivation, Inc.) or a carbohydrate based supplement (POWERADE®).”

May combine two claims.

Insufficient dietary protein intake post-exercise may cause increased protein catabolism, which may result in a negative protein balance and slower muscle recovery.

“Insufficient dietary protein intake post-exercise may cause increased protein catabolism, which may result in a negative protein balance and slower muscle recovery [5].”

• cites [5] Kreider RB, 2010, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The loss in body mass in the CHO group was anticipated because it is a typical outcome to reduced carbohydrate caloric restriction.

“The loss in body mass in the CHO group was anticipated; as this is a typical outcome to reduced carbohydrate caloric restriction [20].”

• cites [20] Brehm BJ, 2003, J Clin Endo Met sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Both BCAA and CHO groups engaged in identical, supervised resistance training programs and received individualized hypocaloric carbohydrate restricted diets for 8 weeks.

“Both BCAA and CHO groups engaged in identical, supervised resistance training programs, and received individualized hypocaloric carbohydrate restricted diets for a duration of 8 weeks.”

May combine two claims.

BCAAs have been shown to regulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and muscle recovery.

“BCAAs are catabolized in the muscle and have been shown to regulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and muscle recovery [11].”

• cites [11] Lourad RJ, 1990, Clin Sci sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Intraclass correlation coefficients were performed to examine the test-retest reliability of the performance tests.

“Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were performed to examine the test-retest reliability of the performance tests.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The literature is not in agreement that HFCS consumption leads to fat accumulation.

“However, it should be noted that the literate is not in agreement that HFCS consumption leads to fat accumulation [23].”

• cites [23] Bravo S, 2013, Appl Physiol Nutr Metab sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Increased energy expenditure can decrease risk for chronic diseases such as metabolic disease, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.

“thus increased energy expenditure can then decrease risk for chronic diseases such as metabolic disease, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease [6].”

• cites [6] Winett RA, 2010, Cur Sport Med Reports (ACSM) sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Resistance training, provision of adequate amounts of dietary protein, and essential amino acids have all been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis in healthy adults.

“Resistance training, provision of adequate amounts of dietary protein, and essential amino acids have all been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis in healthy adults [8]”

• cites [8] Howatson G, 2012, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Mourier et al. found that a high daily dose of a BCAA supplement reduced body fat and spared lean mass in male athletes.

“However, Mourier et al. [24] found that a high daily dose of a BCAA supplement reduced body fat and spared lean mass in male athletes [22].”

• cites [24] Mourier A, 1997, Int J Sport Med sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Spillane et al. found that muscle strength increased with training, but no significant effects were evident between placebo and BCAA groups, indicating the lack of a treatment effect in the BCAA group.

“Muscle strength increased with training, but no significant effects were evident between placebo and BCAA groups, indicating the lack of a treatment effect in the BCAA group.”

• cites [27] Spillane M, 2012, Nut & Health sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

It is possible that the decreased lean mass in the CHO group can be attributed to a decrease in protein synthesis, due to a reduced calorie diet, coupled with a muscle-damaging resistance training program.

“It is possible that the decreased lean mass in the CHO group can be attributed to a decrease in protein synthesis, due to a reduced calorie diet, coupled with a muscle-damaging resistance training program.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It was anticipated that on a hypocaloric diet, there would not be any gains in muscular endurance, given the glycolytic nature of the activity.

“It was anticipated that on a hypocaloric diet, there would not be any gains in muscular endurance, given the glycolytic nature of the activity [30, 31].”

• cites [30] Lima-Silva AE, 2013, Appl Phys Nut MetNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [31] Brinkworth GD, 2009, Obesity J sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

It is possible that the CHO supplementation in the CHO group enhanced glycogen storage, which improved fatigue resistance and in turn resulted in increased repetitions to fatigue.

“It is possible that the CHO supplementation in the CHO group enhanced glycogen storage, which improved fatigue resistance and in turn resulted in increased repetitions to fatigue.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In a hypocaloric state the BCAA may have a more robust effect.

“Further, it may be that in a hypocaloric state the BCAA has a more robust effect [30].”

• cites [30] Lima-Silva AE, 2013, Appl Phys Nut MetNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

No control group was provided for the study by Candeloro et al., making conclusions inconclusive.

“However, no control group was provided for this study, making the conclusions as to whether the BCAA supplementation was predominant in improving lean mass and grip strength inconclusive [28].”

• cites [28] Candeloro N, 1995, Minerva EndocrinNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

BCAA supplementation was found to provide a beneficial effect on body composition and isometric hand-grip strength, even without a concurrent exercise training protocol.

“Similarly, BCAA supplementation was found to provide a beneficial effect on body composition and isometric hand-grip strength, even without a concurrent exercise training protocol [28].”

• cites [28] Candeloro N, 1995, Minerva EndocrinNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

BCAA supplementation enhances/promotes myofibrillar protein synthesis and aids in muscle recovery.

“It has been shown that BCAA supplementation enhances/promotes myofibrillar protein synthesis and aids in muscle recovery.”

May combine two claims.

Providing individuals with BCAA can stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis and in turn preserve lean body mass.

“Providing individuals with BCAA can stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis and in turn preserve lean body mass.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The combination of a protein supplement (whey and essential amino acids) with a calorie restricted diet was more effective than a hypocaloric meal replacement control at concurrently reducing adipose tissue and preserving lean tissue during caloric restriction-induced weight loss in elderly obese subjects.

“Researchers illustrated that the combination of a protein supplement (whey and essential amino acids) with a calorie restricted diet was more effective than a hypocaloric meal replacement control at concurrently reducing adipose tissue and preserving lean tissue during the caloric restriction-induced weight loss in elderly obese subjects [2].”

• cites [2] Coker RH, 2012, Nut J sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some studies have indicated a possible dose-response relationship regarding BCAA supplementation and body composition.

“Some studies have indicated a possible dose–response relationship regarding BCAA supplementation and body composition, including a study conducted by Spillane, Emerson, and Willoughby [27].”

• cites [27] Spillane M, 2012, Nut & Health sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Thirty days of ingesting 14 g of a BCAA supplement significantly increased lean mass and hand-grip strength in untrained males.

“Researchers demonstrated that 30 days of ingesting 14 g of a BCAA supplement significantly lean mass and hand-grip strength in untrained males.”

• cites [28] Candeloro N, 1995, Minerva EndocrinNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The variability in experimental approaches adopted by researchers, and the factors investigated, make direct comparisons of studies difficult.

“The variability in experimental approaches adopted by researchers, and the factors investigated, such as the supplement quantity, treatment duration, timing of ingestion, training status and intensity, and dietary control, make direct comparisons of studies difficult.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

This may have implications in improved muscle performance and recovery.

“This in turn may have implications in improved muscle performance and recovery.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There remains controversy regarding the effectiveness of BCAA supplementation on muscle performance and body composition among both trained and untrained persons.

“Though there remains controversy regarding the effectiveness of BCAA supplementation on muscle performance and body composition among both trained and untrained persons”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Ra et al. found that BCAA supplementation alone was not sufficient to inhibit muscle soreness and damage after a damaging bout of eccentric exercise.

“However Ra et al. [26] found that BCAA supplementation alone was not sufficient to inhibit muscle soreness and damage after a damaging bout of eccentric exercise [26].”

• cites [26] Ra SG, 2013, J Int Soc Sport Nut sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Shimomoura et al. found that oral ingestion of a BCAA supplement before or after exercise improved the recovery of damaged muscles by suppressing endogenous muscle-protein breakdown during exercise.

“Shimomoura et al. [12] found that oral ingestion of a BCAA supplement before or after exercise improved the recovery of damaged muscles by suppressing the endogenous muscle-protein breakdown during exercise (decreasing the release of essential amino acids from exercising muscles) [12].”

• cites [12] Shimomoura Y, 2010, Int J Sport Nut Ex Met sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Under hypocaloric conditions, those who participate in heavy resistance training can maintain lean mass and muscular performance by utilizing a BCAA product pre and post workout.

“However, our data suggest that under hypocaloric conditions, those who participate in heavy resistance training can maintain lean mass and muscular performance by utilizing a BCAA product pre and post workout.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Our small sample size allows for robust changes in a few subjects to result in significant group improvements.

“However, our small sample size allows for robust changes in a few subjects to result in significant group improvements.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

There is a greater amount of consensus regarding the effects of BCAA supplements on muscle damage and recovery, which may in turn inform muscle performance (strength and endurance).

“there is a greater amount of consensus regarding the effects of BCAA supplements on muscle damage and recovery, which may in turn inform muscle performance (strength and endurance).”

May combine two claims.

While this protocol resulted in a loss of lean mass in the CHO group, the improvement in lower body strength and repetitions to fatigue suggest that minimal CHO supplementation on a cut diet may help to maintain some performance measures.

“Further, while this protocol resulted in a loss of lean mass in the CHO group, the improvement in lower body strength and repetitions to fatigue suggest that minimal CHO supplementation on a cut diet may help to maintain some performance measures.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

With human performance testing it is possible these subjects did not perform to their maximal ability during pre-testing data collection for a variety of reasons.

“Additionally, with human performance testing it is possible these subjects did not perform to their maximal ability during pre-testing data collection for a variety of reasons (fatigue, distraction, lack of effort, etc.).”