My morning supplements have their place at the breakfast table. This one comes to the gym.
On weight training days, I use CNP Professional Loaded EAA in my water bottle, alongside my creatine, and drink it during the session. Another recommendation from Carol as part of my nutrition plan.
What I take
The amount I use is 10g of Loaded EAA, mixed with water.
I’ve used Strawberry Laces and Tropical Pineapple. The choice sometimes comes down to which is cheapest. No elaborate selection process - occasionally, the special offer decides the flavour.
I take it on weight training days only. On active rest days, the EAA stays out of the bottle, and my creatine goes elsewhere in the routine.
What are EAAs?
EAA stands for essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Nine are described as essential because our bodies cannot make enough of them, so we need to obtain them through our diet.
They are involved in making the proteins our muscles need for maintenance, repair and growth. They are also present in ordinary protein-containing foods and complete protein supplements such as whey.
You may also have heard of BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine and valine. Those are three of the nine essential amino acids. An EAA product supplies the wider group.
Why this product?
Carol included EAAs in my nutrition plan, and Loaded EAA is the product I use.
CNP describes it as a drink containing all nine essential amino acids and markets it for use around training, including sessions where there has been a long gap between meals. Its current product page also states that it contains no caffeine.
That explains the product’s intended role. It doesn’t mean I train fasted, or that everyone needs an EAA supplement to have a productive session.
What does the evidence mean for me?
Essential amino acids can stimulate muscle protein synthesis - the process of making muscle protein. That is a real physiological effect, but it is not the same as proving that an extra supplement will produce more muscle or strength for everyone.
My overall protein intake still matters. Food and whey already supply essential amino acids, so the useful question is what an additional EAA drink contributes within my whole diet and training plan.
I use it as part of the plan Carol has put together for me. I can describe that routine confidently; I can’t separate out exactly how much of my progress belongs to the contents of this particular bottle.
Part of the session
Water, EAAs and creatine. A familiar bottle beside me while I get the work done.
Unfortunately, nothing on the ingredients list persuades Carol that eight repetitions should count as twelve.