Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about pregnancy and exercise. Women today are emphasizing more and more in continuing their pre-pregnancy lifestyle. With the growth of fitness influencers on Instagram, we have several examples that we can emulate. With fitness and workout being the watchword for this decade, the number of women who are heading for hardcore workouts and not merely just treadmills is on the rise.
One thing all fitness enthusiasts are aware of is the BCAA supplement. Even if it is possible to continue with life as normal when we are expecting, there is still a certain major change that is taking place. Thus, we must avoid some things to protect ourselves and the baby from any negative impact. A lot of women wonder if they can take BCAA while pregnant. This is because some pregnant people still manage to stay fit even during pregnancy.
That begs the question: is taking workout supplements like BCAA safe for pregnancy or not? The answer is more crucial than before, as pre-workouts and BCAA supplements are getting increasingly popular. Unfortunately, there is very little information regarding the safety of supplements such as 5-HTP, tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine during pregnancy or in a breastfeeding mother. With little information and pregnant people being a risk group, the best possible answer is to not risk it. However, that doesn't answer the question. So, how do we approach it?
BCAA Supplementation and Pregnancy
Although the BCAA complex is considered an exogenous amino acid, the best way to approach it is to go natural. As mentioned earlier, pregnant women are a risk group. Going natural instead of taking BCAA artificially is the best option.
It has the same vitamins and minerals as a balanced diet. BCAA during pregnancy is possibly harmful since the formula would most likely include artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes. Although these chemicals are proven to be safe, they shouldn't be in a pregnant person's diet. But how about when a woman finishes her pregnancy and is on time so that she can breastfeed her baby? This is primarily a good question since many women want to return to their fitness journey after bedresting for weeks.
However, due to demotivation, resuming their regular training regimen right after pregnancy can be a struggle. This is where a lot of them turn to supplements. But is it wise? It depends, but in general, BCAA supplements after pregnancy can be helpful since they can be beneficial in transforming your body into your desired one.
If you maintain a sufficiently high intake, it can positively affect the total nitrogen balance in the body. What's more, one component of BCAA, L-leucine, is one of the essential components that the body uses for protein building. This can help a person who is trying to build muscle mass after pregnancy.
Safety Concerns
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that your body needs to build muscle. These amino acids come from plant and animal sources and are part of a balanced diet.
As you get to the later stages of pregnancy, your protein requirement also increases. Fortunately, the protein requirements are already well met by the typical American diet. Still, you need to get a lot of protein from different sources, meat, and plants alike.
However, you need to remember that although amino acids contain protein, they far exceed the amount found in most sources or a regular diet. And as we all know, consuming abnormal amounts of one substance in your body can have unforeseen adverse effects, which is far riskier when you're pregnant.
Also, you need to understand that many supplements still need to be tested, which means a lot of them are unregulated. This also means that there’s little to no research regarding their effects, so make sure not to be dependent or consume them more than you should, especially when you have health risks or are pregnant.
While many brands nowadays boast about having natural and organic ingredients, most of these ingredients are from the same manufacturer. This means that you’re not getting what you are paying for more often than not. That said, there are certain substances that you need to be wary of. The next section will show you some of the BCAA products that you must avoid.
BCAA Red Flags During Pregnancy
BCAA while pregnant
Some of the BCAA products can be harmful to any pregnant woman. Knowing what exactly to avoid can save you can your baby from any possible side effects. Here are some of the BCAA red flags to avoid complications:
This amino acid is considered unhealthy for pregnant women, and there is little to no research yet on its effects on breastfeeding moms. Not only that, but they can cause a white blood cell disorder and are known to make liver and kidney disease much worse. Its side effects are vomiting and nausea.
Although there is little research on their effect on pregnant women and breastfeeding moms, experts still advise not to take them. Other than these two substances, there are still substances in amino acids that can put pregnant women at risk. So, with that in mind, if you see these two substances on the label, it’s best not to buy them at all for you and your baby’s safety.
Conclusion
BCAA supplements are helpful when you want to build muscle mass. Many fitness professionals are even advertising brands and even giving personal opinions on the brands themselves. There are different kinds of BCAA supplements, and maybe one of them would suit your fitness needs. However, make sure to consult with your doctors before taking BCAA during pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can BCAA affect fertility?
No evidence supports a relationship between BCAA and women's fertility.
Q2. Are BCAA safe while breastfeeding?
Non- stimulating BCAAs are safe while breastfeeding.
Q3. How much BCAA should a woman take daily?
Women can take 9 grams of BCAA per day.
Q.4 Are BCAAs good for pregnancy?
It can affect your glucose levels therefore, pregnant women should avoid consuming BCAAs.
Q5. What are the dangers of BCAAs?
It can lead to fatigue, nausea, headache, etc.
