Branched Chain Amino Acids by Life Extension Branched Chain Amino Acids by Life Extension

The branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) L-valine, L-leucine, and L-isoleucine enhance protein synthesis in liver cells and muscle cells. Because they can be oxidized in the cell’s mitochondria, the branched chain amino acids may also provide energy and may serve as fuel sources for skeletal muscles during periods of metabolic stress.1-7 As a result, BCAAs have been used with success to support liver function.8-13 A study in 2008 also showed BCAAs supplementation improved insulin resistance and beta cell function as well as energy metabolism and glucose tolerance in certain people.14, 15 They are also used by athletes.2, 16-23 A current mouse study showed restoring hippocampal BCAA concentrations to normal had the effect of reinstating normal brain function by helping the synapses to function efficiently.24

They are used by body builders to produce an anabolic effect, 25-28 improve mental and physical performance and repair the microtears that are a normal result of exercise.29, 30 Branched chain amino acids also reduce perceived exertion and mental fatigue during exercise.31-33

References
1. Arzneimittelforschung. 1998 Mar;48(3):236-9.
2. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2009 Feb;55(1):52-8
3. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2007 Dec;17(6):595-607.
4. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):83-91.
5. J Nutr. 2001 Apr;131(4):1171-6.
6. Surgery. 1981 Aug;90(2):237-43. 
7. Physiol Res. 2001;50(1):25-33.
8. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Jul;3(7):705-13.
9. Dig Dis. 2011;29(3):326-32. Epub 2011 Aug 9.
10. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):779-88.
11. Nutr Res. 2009 Feb;29(2):89-93.
12. Nutrition. 2007 Feb;23(2):113-20.
13. Intern Med. 1998 May;37(5):429-34
14. Int J Mol Med. 2008 Jul;22(1):105-12.
15. Liver Int. 2007 Nov;27(9): 1287-92 
16. Nutrition. 2002 May;18(5):376-9.
17. Amino Acids. 2001;20(1):1-11.
18. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Jul;32(7):1214-9.
19. J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6 Suppl):1583S-1587S.
20. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;69(1):26-31.
21. Chin J Physiol. 2011 Apr 30;54(2):71-8.
22. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2011 Mar;51(1):82-8.
23. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2008 Sep;48(3):347-51
24. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010 Jan 5;107(1):366-71 
25. Nutrition. 1996 Jul-Aug;12(7-8):485-90.
26. J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6 Suppl):1583S-1587S. 
27. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;69(1):26-31.
28. Acta Physiol Scand. 1992 Nov;146(3):293-8.
29. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2000 Sep;40(3):240-6.
30. Sports Med. 1999 Jun;27(6):347-58.
31.. J Nutr. 2006 Feb;136(2):544S-547S.
32. Int J Sports Med. 2007 Jun;28(6):531-8.
33. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2007 Sep;47(3):316-22.

The branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) L-valine, L-leucine, and L-isoleucine enhance protein synthesis in liver cells and muscle cells. Because they can be oxidized in the cell’s mitochondria, the branched chain amino acids may also provide energy and may serve as fuel sources for skeletal muscles during periods of metabolic stress.1-7 As a result, BCAAs have been used with success to support liver function.8-13 A study in 2008 also showed BCAAs supplementation improved insulin resistance and beta cell function as well as energy metabolism and glucose tolerance in certain people.14, 15 They are also used by athletes.2, 16-23 A current mouse study showed restoring hippocampal BCAA concentrations to normal had the effect of reinstating normal brain function by helping the synapses to function efficiently.24

They are used by body builders to produce an anabolic effect, 25-28 improve mental and physical performance and repair the microtears that are a normal result of exercise.29, 30 Branched chain amino acids also reduce perceived exertion and mental fatigue during exercise.31-33

References
1. Arzneimittelforschung. 1998 Mar;48(3):236-9.
2. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2009 Feb;55(1):52-8
3. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2007 Dec;17(6):595-607.
4. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):83-91.
5. J Nutr. 2001 Apr;131(4):1171-6.
6. Surgery. 1981 Aug;90(2):237-43. 
7. Physiol Res. 2001;50(1):25-33.
8. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Jul;3(7):705-13.
9. Dig Dis. 2011;29(3):326-32. Epub 2011 Aug 9.
10. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Apr 1;19(7):779-88.
11. Nutr Res. 2009 Feb;29(2):89-93.
12. Nutrition. 2007 Feb;23(2):113-20.
13. Intern Med. 1998 May;37(5):429-34
14. Int J Mol Med. 2008 Jul;22(1):105-12.
15. Liver Int. 2007 Nov;27(9): 1287-92 
16. Nutrition. 2002 May;18(5):376-9.
17. Amino Acids. 2001;20(1):1-11.
18. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Jul;32(7):1214-9.
19. J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6 Suppl):1583S-1587S.
20. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;69(1):26-31.
21. Chin J Physiol. 2011 Apr 30;54(2):71-8.
22. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2011 Mar;51(1):82-8.
23. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2008 Sep;48(3):347-51
24. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010 Jan 5;107(1):366-71 
25. Nutrition. 1996 Jul-Aug;12(7-8):485-90.
26. J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6 Suppl):1583S-1587S. 
27. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1994;69(1):26-31.
28. Acta Physiol Scand. 1992 Nov;146(3):293-8.
29. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2000 Sep;40(3):240-6.
30. Sports Med. 1999 Jun;27(6):347-58.
31.. J Nutr. 2006 Feb;136(2):544S-547S.
32. Int J Sports Med. 2007 Jun;28(6):531-8.
33. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2007 Sep;47(3):316-22.