What Supplements Should You Take When Cutting?

Whether you’re cutting weight to prepare for your best friend’s wedding, to get ready for beach season, or simply to shed the last few pounds standing in the way of that perfect frame, supplements are probably part of your routine. These products come in a wide array of forms, from the standard protein-based varieties to the more advanced amino acid supplements that have been gaining popularity in recent years. However, not every supplement is suited to helping those who are cutting weight, as the unique nutritional requirements of people in this situation often necessitate a low-fat, low-calorie approach. That said, there are a few different types of supplements that can be of help; to learn more about what supplements you should take when cutting, continue reading as the people at aminoVITAL® touch on this topic.

Popular Supplements to Take When Cutting

Before we dive into the list of the best supplements to take when cutting weight, it should be noted that your individual needs may vary depending on your weight loss goal, body type, metabolism, diet, level of activity, and any underlying health conditions. Make sure to consult with your health care provider before starting a supplement regimen.

When deciding what type of supplement you want to use while cutting, keep in mind the following options, which are among the most widely used by those who want to lose weight quickly:

BCAA Supplements

As one of the leanest kinds of supplements out there, BCAA supplements typically contain fewer calories and less sugar than your average protein shake, thanks to their bare-bones formulas. Take the Action mid-workout mix from aminoVITAL®, for example; this product contains only 15 calories and no sugar at all, plus it offers 290 mg of electrolytes and 2.4 grams of amino acids, including glutamine, arginine, and the three BCAAs. By including only those ingredients essential to boost gains and fuel performance when cutting, a BCAA supplement can improve your workouts without jeopardizing your weight loss goals.

Protein Supplements

Anyone who goes to the gym is familiar with protein supplements. These products have dominated the fitness supplement market for decades, and there’s no doubt that they can be effective for increasing gains after your workouts. That said, protein supplements tend to be higher in calories than some other supplements, and many contain significant amounts of sugar, too. If you choose to go with a protein supplement when cutting, make sure you keep an eye on the nutrition label.

Thermogenic Supplements

There are a number of different supplements that fall into the category of “thermogenics,” the term for products designed to ramp up the body’s natural fat-burning processes. Most of these contain some type of compound drawn from plants – caffeine, for instance, or green tea extract – and their proponents claim that they can boost the number of overall calories you burn each day, which would make them ideal for those who are cutting. However, the science is far from conclusive regarding these products; while there is some evidence that they may slightly boost your metabolism, the effects might not be extensive enough to warrant an investment in thermogenic supplements.

Why You Should Consider Amino Acid Supplements When Cutting

While we touched on some of the benefits of amino acid supplements – namely those containing BCAAs – above, it’s worth taking a closer look at these products to see exactly what makes them so effective when cutting weight. For starters, each of the three BCAAs can support muscle growth and exercise performance, allowing you to push yourself harder and burn more fat at the gym while building and maintaining fat-burning muscle mass.

Leucine, the most well-known of the BCAAs, is the compound that triggers muscle protein synthesis, the process by which the body produces new muscle cells to repair and reinforce damaged tissues after exercise. Isoleucine, the second BCAA, helps you fuel your workout by aiding the flow of glucose to your muscles and helping the cells there convert it into energy. Valine, the last of the BCAAs, serves a critical purpose for those who are cutting: It helps preserve muscle mass by hindering catabolism, the process in which the body breaks down muscle for fuel – something that’s more likely if you’re on a low-calorie cutting diet.

An added benefit of BCAAs is their ability to fight fatigue brought on by exercise. To do so, they compete with tryptophan for access into the brain; the more BCAAs you have in your system, the less tryptophan can enter the brain, where it becomes serotonin – the neurotransmitter thought to cause central nervous system fatigue. By supplementing with BCAAs, it’s believed that you can limit fatigue and keep up the intensity of your workout.

The amino acid supplements offered by aminoVITAL® contain more than just BCAAs, though. These products also feature two additional amino acids, glutamine and arginine, both of which bring their own benefits. Those who like intense workouts will appreciate glutamine’s ability to reduce soreness, and it can support a healthy immune system as well. Arginine, on the other hand, is useful as a vasodilator – a substance that opens up the veins and promotes blood flow. Add the vitamins, electrolytes, and – in the case of our Rapid Recovery post-workout mix – a tiny amount of carbs to restore the body’s glycogen supply, and you have a well-rounded fitness supplement ideal for those cutting weight.

Try an aminoVITAL® BCAA Supplement When Cutting Weight

Whatever your reason for cutting, know that the potent amino acid supplements from aminoVITAL® can help you push yourself harder at the gym so you can hit your target weight more quickly. To learn more about how these supplements work and what benefits they can offer those who are cutting weight, visit aminoVITAL® online or call (888) 264-6673 today.