Scivation Xtend BCAA Powder Review – Does It Really Work?

This site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Read Our Disclosures

Scivation Xtend could be considered the perfect amino acid supplement, with 7g of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the 2:1:1 ratio, 2.5g of L-Glutamine, and 1g of Citrulline Malate per serving.

But what are the health benefits, and are these safe dosages for your specific exercise routine?

In this review we’ll weigh up the benefits of Scivation’s ‘all-in-one’ Xtend against supplementing with the different amino acids separately. This includes cost differences, health risks, time saved, and preventing ‘doubling-up’ on common aminos that may already be in your protein powder or pre-workout.

We’ll also take a look at how the 1170mg Electrolyte blend per serving benefits your hydration, and provide a summary of feedback from the thousands of highly rated reviews on Amazon.

Scivation Xtend Ingredients

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are a subcategory of essential amino acids which have to be sourced from supplements or food, since the body cannot make them on its own. BCAAs play a particularly important role in preventing muscle breakdown during exercise, supporting endurance, and improving muscle recovery.

The three BCAAs are Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. So how can Xtend boost your performance?

Leucine (3500 mg)

The body needs a regular supply of Leucine, and essential amino acid, for maintaining good overall health. The specific roles of leucine in the body include regulating blood sugar levels, contributing to the growth and repair of muscle and bone tissue, support for the healing of wounds and tissue damage, and hormone production. Leucine deficiency is rare, because it is naturally found in many foods.

Leucine is sometimes called the “main” or most important BCAA, due to the many muscle building benefits attributed to it. That’s because leucine activates a protein called mTor, which is responsible for synthesizing, or building, muscle.

When leucine is consumed, research shows that it works together with insulin to promote muscle protein synthesis, or muscle building. In addition, it helps to prevent the degradation of skeletal and cardiac muscle that can often take place when we do intense exercise.

Isoleucine (1750 mg)

Isoleucine is responsible for assisting the body in healing wounds, detoxifying nitrogenous waste, supporting the immune system, and supporting hormone secretion.

Like leucine, isoleucine also helps to promote muscle synthesis, but has a special role in helping to regulate blood sugar.

Isoleucine is naturally found in foods such as, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, and nuts.

Valine (1750 mg)

Valine is essential for weightlifters and endurance runners, whether consumed through food or supplements, as it is a BCAA that promotes muscle growth and repair.

Along with Leucine and Isoleucine, Valine helps to promote muscle synthesis, and prevent muscle breakdown. This is achieved by helping muscles get the glucose they need to prevent using muscle as a secondary energy source.

Valine is naturally found in a number of foods, including soy, cheese, fish, meats and vegetables.

Glutamine (2500 mg)

Glutamine is an amino acid that is produced in the muscles, and found widely in the body. It has many functions, including helping to provide molecules needed by different cells in the body. Glutamine also supports a healthy gut and immune system when the body is under stress.

After intense exercise, Glutamine supports recovery, and helps to promote energy storage in the muscles to keep the body from going into emergency mode.

Scivation Xtend provides 5g of glutamine, which may assist in post-exercise recovery.

Electrolyte Blend (Sodium; 220 mg, 9%; Potassium, 180 mg, 5%)

Electrolytes are substances needed to maintain our muscles and nerves, allow our muscles to contract, and control hydration levels. They include sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, and hydrogen phosphate.

Electrolyte levels can reduce when we lose liquid and minerals through our skin. While the body can compensate small losses with water alone, over time, the person can become weak, lethargic and dehydrated. Optimum Nutrition Pro BCAA powder contains electrolytes that can help prevent cramps and improve our performance time.

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline Malate is a unique addition to this BCAA powder formula. It’s an amino acid produced by the body, but also found in some foods.

When consumed with amino acids, Citrulline Malate helps to enhance their use during exercise. It also helps to promote aerobic energy production during exercise, resulting in increased oxygenation and muscle endurance.

Who is it designed for?

Scivation Xtend BCAA Powder is for runners, serious weightlifters, cyclists, rowers, and other endurance exercise enthusiasts.

When is the best time to take it?

BCAA supplements are designed for muscle building and endurance training. The best time to take Scivation Xtend depends on where you need most support.

Xtend vs. MusclePharm BCAA 3:1:2

MusclePharm BCAA 3:1:2 Powder is an unflavored supplement powder that provides BCAAs in a different, patent-pending proportion than most BCAA supplements including the Scivation Xtend BCAA Powder.

The formulation of MusclePharm BCAA is lacking electrolytes, citrulline and glutamine, all of which are included with the Xtend formula.

It is important to note that there are no openly available scientific studies that compare the effectiveness of the 3:1:2 ratio of BCAAs over the 2:1:1 ratio.

There is a smaller selection of flavors and sizes of MusclePharm BCAA compared to Scivation Xtend BCAA. For MusclePharm, the flavors available are; blue raspberry, lemon lime, watermelon, and unflavored. Only one 30-day tub size is available.

What flavors and sizes are available?

You can choose from 16 flavors:

There are also 4 available sizes based on the number of servings in each container:

Save money with Amazon

If you’re looking to save money on your monthly supplement order, you might want to consider the Amazon Subscribe & Save program.

Subscribe & Save allows you to unlock savings of up to 15% on a wide range of products, including Scivation Xtend (selected flavors only).

You can save 5% with a subscription to 1 product, or save the full 15% by subscribing to 5 products, provided they’re all delivered to the same address. The delivery schedule can be set from monthly, up to once every 6 months.

Although 5 products might sound a lot, if you already supplement with a protein powder, multivitamin, creatine, BCAA, and glutamine, the savings can soon add up.

Who are Scivation?

Scivation is a sports nutrition company that specializes in an advanced BCAA drink called Xtend. The core product delivers a blend containing 7g of BCAAs in a research-proven 2:1:1 ratio (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine), and is available in several variations; Go, Raw, Free, and Perform.

Scivation sponsors a long list of professional athletes, including NPC competitors, IFPA competitors, IFBB competitors, CrossFit competitors, and USPA powerlifters.

A unique joint supplement called Flexatril is also available. This combines three clinically proven ingredients – Microlactin, Ayuflex, Sensoril – to promote healthy joints and maintain high mobility.

Review Overview