Vitamins-Minerals-Supplements.org
Vitamins
Minerals
Nutritional Food
Supplements
Amino Acids
Diets
Herbs
Disorders
Alanine
Arginine
Asparagine
Aspartic Acid
Carnitine
Citrulline
Cysteine and Cystine
Gamma -Aminobutyric Acid
Glutamic Acid
Glutamine
Glutathione
Glycine
Histidine
Homocysteine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Ornithine
Phenylalanine
Proline
Serine
Taurine
Threonine
Trytophan
Tyrosine
Valine

Home :: Leucine

Leucine - Uses, Benefits And Food Sources

What is Leucine ?

Leucine is an essential amino acid and one of the branched­chain amino acids (the others are isoleucine and valine). These work together to protect muscle and act as fuel. They promote the healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue, and are recommended for those recovering from surgery. Leucine also lowers elevated blood sugar levels and aids in increasing growth hormone production.

Uses and Benefits of Leucine

During times of starvation, stress, infection, or recovery from trauma, the body mobilizes leucine as a source for gluconeogenesis (the synthesis of blood sugar in the liver) to aid in the healing process. It has recently been suggested that leucine may have beneficial therapeutic effects on the prevention of protein wasting, as it occurs during starvation, semi-starvation, trauma, or recovery after surgery. Insulin deficiency is known to result in poor utilization of leucine; therefore, individuals who suffer from glucose intolerance may require higher levels of leucine intake. It has also been recently suggested that leucine has anabolic effects, thereby preventing muscle protein breakdown and stimulating muscle protein synthesis.

Recommended Dosage of Leucine

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Leucine are :-

  • Adults - 16 to 18 mg.
  • Children - 38 to 40 mg.

Rich Food Sources of Leucine

Natural sources of leucine include brown rice, beans, meat, nuts, soyabeans, and whole wheat.

Vitamins || Feedback || Nutritional Blog ||

(c)Copyright Vitamins-minerals-supplements All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: Material provided on vitamins-minerals-supplements.org website is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Always take the advice of your doctor before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program. We will not be liable for any complications, or other medical accidents arising from the use of any information on this web site.