Would it be a good idea to add in some more BCAA's? I'm thinking particularly on my low carbs days. I'm asking this because I'm noticing signs of ketosis (ammonia smell to sweat and urine in particular). I'm wondering what I can do to counteract this a bit. Am I right in thinking that added BCAA's would do it? What else would help?

What I'm considering is to add the equivalent of 3 more muscularity with 3 or 4 of my 6 meals.

Any suggestions?

It would probally help to show what I'm taking now-

Training days BCAA intake- before during and after training split evenly- 21 g leucine, 15 g glutamine, 10.5 Valine, 10.5 Isoleucine, 6 g citrulline malate

Bcaa's with each meal- 1.75g leucine, 1.25 glutamine, .875 valine, .875 isoleucine, .5 g citrulline malate

This is not counting the 3 mass aminos I’m taking with each meal. I don’t believe they are BCAA’s. I’ll have to check that.

If you want to counteract Ketosis, the answer is simple...EAT MORE CARBS!

If you need to be on a really low carb diet to lose fat, that's fine, but just realize that Ketosis naturally follows from an extremely low carb diet. It comes from breaking down fatty acids into ketones, so if you're burning more fat for energy than carbs, that's going to happen.

A solution to keep you out of ketosis while still maintaining bodyfat loss would be to carb up every couple of days. That way you only have a few insulin spikes per week.

Thanks Dave,

Eating more carbs is not really an option. I'm on a twice weekly carb up(mon/thurs) and actually have some carbs still on another 2 days of the week(1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup rice).

Is eating more carbs the only way to counteract ketosis? Am I off in thinking that more BCAA's will help? Is there something else I could add?

I asked my bev advisor, just waiting for him to get back to me and thought I'd get some opinions while I wait.

Bill,

Dave C. is right (of course) but what I would do is wait for the reply from your advisor first. These guys at Beverly know what they're doing.

Another option is this:
Nutrient re-partitioning, in this case switching the timing around with your carb intake on the days which don't fall under your 2x per week carb load. An hour before your workout, I'd take your 1/2 cup oatmeal. With this method you'd stifle the catabolic effects of training while in a state of ketosis.

I'd also increae my Glutamine Select particularly during training and before bed. The glutamine to glucose conversion will be minimal but will, nontheless, be helpful during this time, along with the BCAA's.

Additionally, I'd substitute Muscularity for the Mass Amino's right about now. But instead of taking the Muscularity WITH meals, I'd take 5-6 caps BETWEEN meals to induce more of a nitrogen "bathing" affect round the clock.

If you're taking any fat burner which contains ephedrine, I'd eliminate it's use before training. It has catabolic tendencies, especially when carbs/calories are below maintenance. And as far as the INBF and a couple of other natural orgs are concerned, it is still a banned substance. Strictly FYI

Good luck...