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Optimum Nutrition BCAA packs in 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving, in the recommended ratio of 2:1:1 (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine). But what really makes ON Gold Standard BCAA special is the 250 mg Wellmune blend that’s designed to boost your immunity.
So is Gold Standard BCAA worth the money, or would you reach your strength and fitness goals faster with a more affordable version and different blend of ingredients?
In this review, we take a closer look at the ingredients, which range from the standard L-Leucine through to the more unique 200 mg of Rhodiola, which is added for endurance support.
We’ve also included a comparison between some of the top rated BCAA powders, a guide to dosages, and advice on the best time to use it.
Optimum Nutrition BCAA Ingredients
Electrolytes – Performance 220mg
Electrolytes are substances that have an electrical charge when they are dissolved in water. This is something we need for some of the most basic human functions, including having a regular heartbeat, contracting our muscles, stabilizing our blood’s pH, and regulating blood pressure.
Two important functions of electrolytes related to exercise and bodybuilding are their role in regulating hydration and rebuilding damaged tissue.
The electrolytes that work in our bodies are calcium (Ca2+), bicarbonate (HCO3), chloride (C1-), and hydrogen phosphate (HPO42- ), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), the last three of which are found BCAA Gold Standard Powder.
Optimum Nutrition BCAA Gold Standard Powder contains 15% Daily Value of magnesium, 3% Daily Value of Sodium, and 2% Daily Value of Potassium.
Electrolytes are excreted along with sweat, meaning you need to replenish them if you are carrying out an exercise routine that requires significant physical exertion. If you do not have enough electrolytes in your body before you exercise to maintain optimum performance during exercise or if you aren’t replenishing them along the way, you may experience muscle cramps, dehydration, and fatigue.
BCAA Blend (5 g) – Muscle
BCAA stands for Branched-Chain Amino Acids. Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins, of which our muscles are made. When we exercise, our muscles may experience muscle damage, or they will require the building blocks needed to continue to grow the muscle. This is the role of BCAA.
There are three BCAAs, and all three are found in Optimum Nutrition BCAA Gold Standard Powder: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine. BCAA Gold Standard Powder contains 5g total BCAA, formulated in the ideal ratio for optimum absorption.
Wellmune® Bakers Yeast Beta Glucan (250 mg) – Immunity
Wellmune is a premium patented substance developed from yeast. It helps to mobilize immune cells already found in your body to strengthen your immune system. This helps your body to fight against oxidative damage, prevent illness, and promote long-term health.
Rhodiola Extract (root) (200 mg) – Endurance
Rhodiola rosacea, also known as rose root, is a perennial flowering plant found in the UK. It was traditionally used in Europe to make tonics, and now, modern scientific research has proven its ability to boost your endurance.
Rhodiola root extract has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, and, by taking only 200mg, improves endurance exercise capacity from the day it is taken.
BCAA Gold Standard Powder contains 200mg of Rhodiola root extract, the same amount that has been tested for endurance.
BCAA Gold Standard – Product Summary
- Only 10 calories per serving
- 5 g BCAA in a 2:1:1 ratio
- 250 mg Wellmune for Immunity Support
- 200 mg Rhodiola for Endurance Support
- 220 mg Electrolytes for Performance Support
When is the best time to take it?
Because the ingredients of BCAA Gold Standard Powder are meant to prevent exhaustion, dehydration, muscle wasting, and cramping due to physical exertion, it is recommended to take BCAA Gold Standard during or after workouts.
What flavors and sizes are available?
The different flavors of BCAA Gold Standard Powder available are:
- Watermelon
- Strawberry Kiwi
- Fruit Punch
- Cranberry Lemonade
The supplement comes in a 28-serving package of 280 g, with each serving weighing 10 g.
BCAA Gold Standard vs. Bulk Supplements
Bulk Supplements BCAA is available in a range of sizes, from 100 g to 25 kg, with each serving weighing just 1.5g. The powder is flavorless, which means it won’t impact the taste of your pre- or post-workout protein shakes.
Taking a closer look at the ingredients, Bulk Supplements BCAA any immune booster like Wellmune, and no electrolytes to replenish the body during strenuous workouts. There’s also no rhodiola to promote endurance.
As for the BCAAs themselves, Bulk Supplements only contains 1500 mg, compared to 5g of BCAA in the Gold Standard Powder.
Who are Optimum Nutrition?
With over 30 years in the sports nutrition industry, Optimum Nutrition currently produces some of the bestselling sports nutrition products in the world. These have been designed to improve your strength and recovery, health and wellness, and help increase your protein intake, such as their Gold Standard 100% Whey.
To find out more about their protein powders, bars, ready to drinks, BCAAs, glutamine, pre-workout supplements, creatine, multivitamins, and weight loss products, we recommend our Optimum Nutrition buying guide. This includes a summary of the health benefits you can expect from each product, which sizes and flavors are available, and dosages for the top ingredients.
We’ve also added in-depth reviews and comparisons with other top rated nutrition companies, to guarantee you only buy the best supplement for your fitness goals.
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4 / 5
Optimum Nutrition has at least 3 pure BCAA powders on the market, not to mention the amino blends in their protein powders. This can make it difficult to decide which supplement is right for you.
Gold Standard BCAA is their most affordable option, with a 600 g tub available for just under $30 at time of writing. This was cheaper than their BCAA Powder, which also has none of the Wellmune, rhodiola, or vitamin C.
If you can extend your budget, O.N. Pro BCAA Powder has their highest dose of BCAAs (4g leucine, 2 g isoleucine, 2 g valine), together with 5 g L-glutamine, 160 mg of PhytoBlend, and a much larger 230 mg dose of vitamin C. But expect to pay more than twice as much per serving, compared to Gold Standard BCAA.
In summary, this is Optimum Nutrition’s best BCAA supplement in terms of value for money. You’re getting very close to a 2:1:1 ratio, with added ingredients to boost endurance and your immune system.
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