- Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) consist of three amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
- BCAAs may be converted to glucose and therefore may be used as an energy source during exercise. Also, some evidence suggests that BCAAs may be used in making protein during muscle repair following exercise.
- BCAAs are most often used as a supplement for increased athletic performance and endurance.
- Preliminary research suggests that BCAAs may be helpful for muscle atrophy associated with bed rest, neurological disorders, in particular spinocerebellar degeneration, and tardive dyskinesia. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
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Branchedchainaminoacids
Contents
- Ataka S, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, et al. Effects of oral administration of caffeine and D-ribose on mental fatigue. Nutrition 2008;24(3):233-238. View Abstract
- Evangeliou A, Spilioti M, Doulioglou V, et al. Branched chain amino acids as adjunctive therapy to ketogenic diet in epilepsy: pilot study and hypothesis. J Child Neurol 2009;24(10):1268-1272. View Abstract
- Galan HL, Marconi AM, Paolini CL, et al. The transplacental transport of essential amino acids in uncomplicated human pregnancies. Am J Obstet.Gynecol. 2009;200(1):91-97. View Abstract
- Habu D, Nishiguchi S, Nakatani S, et al. Comparison of the effect of BCAA granules on between decompensated and compensated cirrhosis. Hepatogastroenterology 2009;56(96):1719-1723. View Abstract
- Jackman SR, Witard OC, Jeukendrup AE, et al. Branched-chain amino acid ingestion can ameliorate soreness from eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010;42(5):962-970. View Abstract
- Kalogeropoulou D, Lafave L, Schweim K, et al. Leucine, when ingested with glucose, synergistically stimulates insulin secretion and lowers blood glucose. Metabolism 2008;57(12):1747-1752. View Abstract
- Kawamura E, Habu D, Morikawa H, et al. A randomized pilot trial of oral branched-chain amino acids in early cirrhosis: validation using prognostic markers for pre-liver transplant status. Liver Transpl 2009;15(7):790-797. View Abstract
- Long-term oral administration of branched chain amino acids after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective randomized trial. The San-in Group of Liver Surgery. Br.J Surg 1997;84(11):1525-1531. View Abstract
- Marchesini G, Bianchi G, Merli M, et al. Nutritional supplementation with branched-chain amino acids in advanced cirrhosis: a double-blind, randomized trial. Gastroenterology 2003;124(7):1792-1801. View Abstract
- Matsumoto K, Koba T, Hamada K, et al. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation increases the lactate threshold during an incremental exercise test in trained individuals. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2009;55(1):52-58. View Abstract
- Matsumoto K, Koba T, Hamada K, et al. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation attenuates muscle soreness, muscle damage and inflammation during an intensive training program. J Sports Med Phys.Fitness 2009;49(4):424-431. View Abstract
- Mori M, Adachi Y, Mori N, et al. Double-blind crossover study of branched-chain amino acid therapy in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration. J Neurol.Sci 2002;195(2):149-152. View Abstract
- Nakaya Y, Okita K, Suzuki K, et al. BCAA-enriched snack improves nutritional state of cirrhosis. Nutrition 2007;23(2):113-120. View Abstract
- Portier H, Chatard J C, Filaire E, et al. Effects of branched-chain amino acids supplementation on physiological and psychological performance during an offshore sailing race. Eur J Appl.Physiol 2008;104(5):787-794. View Abstract
- Sun LC, Shih YL, Lu CY, et al. Randomized, controlled study of branched chain amino acid-enriched total parenteral nutrition in malnourished patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery. Am Surg 2008;74(3):237-242. View Abstract
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