Bassit, R. A., Sawada, L., Navarro, F., Bacurau, R. F., & Cost Rosa, L. F. (1999). BCAA supplementation and the immune response in triathletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 703.

Elite male triathletes (N = 12) received 6 g branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) daily for one month before competition. Plasma glutamine decreased by 22.8% in a placebo group, but not in the supplemented athlete group. The proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes was accompanied by an IL-1 reduction in controls (-22.2%), a feature that was reversed in the BCAA group (+20%). BCAA athletes also exhibited fewer infections.

It was concluded that BCAA supplementation enhanced the immune response of male triathletes.

Implication. BCAA supplementation serves to increase resistance to infection in training athletes.

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