Can You Mix Creatine and BCAA?

Many supplements often contain a variety of amino acids along with various forms of creatine in the same formula.  But should you be mixing them?

Let’s look at the facts…

How To Use BCAAs

BCAAs are widely used amongst muscle builders and fitness fanatics, but many people don’t know what that acronym stands for.

BCAAs, or branched chain amino acids, are a popular sports nutrition supplement that are widely used pre- or intra-workout, and are particularly ideal for building lean muscle – in other words, putting on muscle mass while cutting body fat. You can find BCAAs as a standalone supplement or as part of a blend.

A BCAA supplement will features three of the nine essential amino acids, including l-leucine, l-isoleucine and l-valine. Their main job is to promote the synthesis of protein while supplying energy to your muscles and preserving lean mass. This is one of the most popular uses of BCAAs as they allow you to effectively lose weight from fat when you are on a low calorie nutrition regime, rather than your body breaking down those hard earned muscles when its in need of energy.

BCAAs also are proven to reduce the amount of serotonin your body produces, which means that while you are exercising you will not be plagued by fatigue the same, meaning you can work harder for longer.

BCAAs can also be beneficial as your body ages. From your mid-thirties, your body doesn’t build muscle the same as it once did, and BCAAs can help with that. The amino acid leucine, in particular, has been proven to increase muscle protein synthesis by 145 percent.

BCAA supplementation may be used up to four times a day when you have an intense programme and can be used before, during and after your workout.

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How To Use Creatine

Creatine is marketed to a similar audience, for bodybuilders and athletes that take part in sports and activities that involve short bursts of intensity.

It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, arginine, and methionine. Basically, it is a way of giving you energy reserves. Your muscle tissue stores creatine as phosphocreatine. Phosphocreatine is synthesised during high-intensity exercises, such as lifting weights, to provide your muscles with extra energy. Creatine speeds up the natural process of how your bodies produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is used up and quickly depletes during high-intensity exercise.

By supplementing creatine you can increase the ability to store more, meaning that more ATP can be produced during exercise. This is where creatine comes in as a facilitator of extra energy. It is used up pretty quickly and is therefore best suited to exercise that involves short bursts of energy, such as weight lifting and sprints.

There are several different kinds of creatine, but they pretty much all serve the same purpose – with variations in the rate at which they are absorbed. Monohydrate is the common cornerstone of many weightlifters. For monohydrate, a loading phase of 20g a day is recommended for one week, and then five grams on a daily basis for six weeks, followed by a month of no creatine.


Can You Mix Creatine & BCAA?

Already you are probably getting the picture of the similarities between BCAAs and creatine, but can you mix them together?

The answer is yes. Various studies have found that there are no concerning adverse effects to your health as a result of mixing the two supplements, and many pro athletes and personal trainers recommend putting them together. In fact, many supplements – especially pre-workout supplements, which we’ll get to next – combine BCAAs and creatine.

By taking each as individual supplements, as opposed to part of a pre-measured blend, you can take control of the ratio (with medical advice) and avoid any other added supplements that usually come in blends such as caffeine and added carbs.


Pre-Workout With BCAA & Creatine

The generally sought benefit of combining the two is the duo of power and endurance and the fact their attributes compliment one another: creatine for strength and reserves to push harder, and BCAAs for muscle energy. Creatine is best taken pre-workout (some say 30 mins before you exercise), while BCAAs can also be used for an intra-workout boost.


Take Home Message

You can combine the two or take separately depending on your goals. BCAAs are highly recommended as a pre-workout supplement, but they are also advantageous as a boost to your muscle fuel during your workout. They’re affordable compared to other supplements and contain no additives.

Creatine, on the other hand, is taken in cycles over a longer term; the aim is to saturate your muscles with the stuff to get in the extra reps and go the extra distance. It is, therefore, best as a pre-workout supplement. It’s not all about mass building either, as both may be utilised to build lean gains, helping you to stack on the muscle mass while trimming the body fat.

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Liam Swithenbank

Liam Swithenbank

Writer and expert

Liam Swithenbank is an expert supplier quality assurance technologist. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition, and his expertise now lie in specialist ingredients for sports nutrition products. Liam’s academic research has involved investigating the effects of sodium bicarbonate on power output in elite rugby players, and also the effects of beetroot juice on VO2 max on a cohort of well-trained runners. For his postgraduate thesis, Liam investigated the effects of protein intake on lean tissue mass. Liam’s experience spans from working in compliance and labelling to developing new products, for a number of large companies in the UK. Liam is a big believer in balance, and believes moderation is key to sustain a healthy and active lifestyle. Find out more about Liam’s experience here: During his spare time Liam enjoys rock climbing, cycling and good food. Liam is a massive foodie and enjoys creating and developing new and exciting recipes in his home kitchen.
