BCAAs (Isoleucine, Leucine, Valine)

BCAAs stand for Branched Chain Amino Acids, a general term used for L-isoleucine, L-leucine, and L-valine. BCAAs are proteinogenic essential amino acids and are hydrophobic with low solubility. Foodstuffs such as fish (tuna), pork and chicken eggs contain high BCAAs. BCAAs are also abundant in the human body muscles and they play important roles in strengthening and maintaining the muscle, by regulating production and breakdown of proteins. They are also used to treat cirrhosis for their antagonizing effect on aromatic amino acids contained in the blood.

  • “Promoting muscle protein synthesis.” (Rieu I. J Physiol. 2006;575(Pt1):305-15.)
  • “Preventing muscle breakdown due to exercise.” (Tang FC. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(3):188-94, Bloomstrand E, et al., Am J Physiol. 2001;281(2):E365-74, MacLean DA, et al., Am J Physiol. 1994;267(6 Pt 1):E1010-22.)
  • “Improving exercise performance and reducing fatigue.” (Crowe MJ. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006;97:664-72.)
  • “Reduction of muscle pain and tiredness after exercise.” (Shimizu M. Amino Acids. 2010;4(1):43-6.)
  • “Dyskinesia reduction.” (Richardson MA, et al., Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160(6):1117-24.)
  • “Effects on appetite and nutritional conditions.” (Hiroshige K, et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2001;16(9):1856-62.)
  • “Improvement in liver function in hepatic encephalopathy patients.” (Plauth M, et al., J Hepatol. 1993;17(3):308-14.)

Note: While information regarding substances and components shown here is based on scientific data, it does not relate to the safety or effectiveness of products which use them. Statements relating to consumer products should conform to the clauses of relevant legislation such as the Health Promotion Law and The Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in each countries and areas.

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