Melibol Questions and Answers

Click Here for Product Specifications

Q1: How is Melibol Formulated?

Melibol is a combination of Branched-chain amino acids [leucine, isoleucine, and valine], glutamine, magnesium & manganese.

Among its numerous ingredients the BCAAs are essential for numerous physiological processes in the human body. They are needed for the maintenance of muscle tissue and appear to preserve muscle glycogen stores1 and help prevent muscle protein breakdown during exercise.2

They are needed for the maintenance of muscle tissue and appear to preserve muscle glycogen stores1 and help prevent muscle protein breakdown during exercise.2

Q2: Is Melibol only for elite athletes?

No, if you undertake physical exercise, research has shown that BCAA supplementation (typically 10-20 grams per day) may be useful in prolonging endurance performance in the heat.11 Studies by one group of researchers suggest's that BCAA supplementation may also improve exercise-induced declines in some aspects of mental functioning.345

Q3. Are the essential branched chain amino acids (BCAA's) of special importance for athletes ?

Yes, because BCAA's are metabolised in the muscle, rather than in the liver. After digestion once protein is broken down into individual amino acids these aminos can either be used to build new proteins or be burned as fuel to produce energy. During exercise, depending on your training, you will ideally burn mostly fat and stored carbohydrate (glycogen) as fuel but eventually your body will also turn to protein, particularly the BCAAs, as glycogen becomes depleted.

Q4. Why should an athlete utilise BCAA's?

Simply because BCAA's are released from the liver into circulation enabling skeletal muscles to break down the BCAA's for energy. During recovery when other fuel sources are available [such as carbohydrates and fats] BCAA's are used in protein synthesis. This is what an athlete requires for muscle building. BCAA's represent over 50% of the total amino acids released into general circulation to be taken up by the muscles.

Q5. Will BCAA's assist recovery?

Yes, the greatest benefit to training athletes is the increase in metabolic efficiency or recovery that follows supplementation. Many athletes introducing Melibol to their current supplement stack claim to feel a substantial decrease in the amount of post exercise muscle soreness soon after beginning this BCAA supplementation..Increased recovery enables more frequent training. Intense athletic training can affect the immune system, research on BCAA's has been reported to restore depleted glutamine stores and immune factors in elite athletes, and led to a reported one-third fewer symptoms of infection during the period of supplementation.8

Q5. Are BCAA's backed by research?

A good deal of research has been done on branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in athletes, but results are quite mixed.

Q3: How much BCAA is usually taken?

Most sedentary diets provide an adequate amount of BCAA's which is about 55-143 mg per kg of body weight 6 7 , however athletes involved in intense training often take 5 grams of leucine, 4 grams of valine, and 2 grams of isoleucine per day to prevent muscle loss and increase muscle gain, though most research does not support this use of BCAAs.

Q5: Why does Melibol recommend a serving size of 2 gm per day?

The daily consumption is based on the belief that most athletic individuals are already consuming protein rich whole foods and a protein supplement.

Q6: Are there any side effects or interactions?

Side effects have not been reported with the use of BCAAs. At high intakes, BCAAs are converted into other amino acids, used as energy, or converted to fat for storage.

However, individuals with kidney or liver disease should not consume high intakes of amino acids without consulting their doctor. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with branched-chain amino acids.

References:
1. Blomstrand E, Ek S, Newsholme EA. Influence of ingesting a solution of branched-chain amino acids on plasma and muscle concentrations of amino acids during prolonged submaximal exercise. Nutrition 1996;12:485-90.
2. MacLean DA, Graham TE, Satlin B. Branched-chain amino acids augment ammonia metabolism while attenuating protein breakdown during exercise. Am J Physiol 1994;267:E1010-
3. Hassmén P, Blomstrand E, Ekblom B, Newshomle EA. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation during 30-km competitive run: mood and cognitive performance. Nutrition 1994;10:405-10.
4. Blomstrand E, Hassmen P, Ek S, et al. Influence of ingesting a solution of branched-chain amino acids on perceived exertion during exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 1997;159:41-49.
5. Blomstrand E, Hassmen P, Ekblom B, et al. Administration of branched-chain amino acids during sustained exercise-effects on performance and on plasma concentration of some amino acids. Eur J Appl Physiol 1991;63:83-88.
6. Zello GA, Wykes LF, Ball RO, et al. Recent advances in methods of assessing dietary amino acid requirements for adult humans. J Nutr 1995;125:2907-15.
7. Young VR, Bier DM, Pellett PL. A theoretical basis for increasing current estimates of the amino acid requirements in adult man, with experimental support. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;50:80-92.
8. Bassit RA, Sawada LA, Bacurau RF, et al. The effect of BCAA supplementation upon the immune response of triathletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:1214-9.