Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine.  These three essential (meaning the body cannot manufacture and thus must ingest from foods) amino acids make up approximately 1/3 of skeletal muscles in the human body, and play an important role in protein synthesis.  We need 22 amino acids, available in designated proportions, to form protein, which in turn forms muscles. If any of the 22 amino acids is lacking, we cannot synthesize any protein.  Exercise, stress and disease cause loss in the three BCAAs more than other amino acids.  That’s why we need to replenish specifically the BCAAs in order to avoid muscle loss.