The importance of branched chain amino acids in human nutrition and prevention, and the course of certain diseases
Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2013, Vol 19, Issue 3
Abstract
Branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) are mainly constituents of proteins, but also regulate many physiological processes in the human body. The aim of this study was to analyze the current state of knowledge about the importance of BCAA in human beings, their use in the nutrition of the healthy and sick, and in the prevention of some diseases. Adult needs for leucine, valine and isoleucine are, respectively: 40, 17–25, 19 mg / kg body weight. Deficiencies in the intake of BCAA’s are rare and concerns groups consuming inadequate amounts of protein in the diet, and those suffering from kidney and liver diseases in which protein metabolism is disturbed. The available data show that doses of two or even three times higher than those recommended are well tolerated and do not cause any side effects. A sufficiently high concentration of branched chain amino acids in the blood is a factor in the limited uptake of tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine to the brain. This property is used in the treatment of several diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy, phenylketonuria, bipolar disorder, tardive dyskinesia and cachexia syndrome. Branched chain amino acids, in addition to their constituent function, also play a regulatory role in the effect on the secretion of hormones and catecholamines, the formation of neurotransmitters, and stimulation of protein synthesis. They can be a source of energy, influence wellbeing, reduce physical fatigue. They are a substrate for the synthesis of other amino acids and are an important factor in the treatment of certain diseases.Key words: branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, valine, demand
Authors and Affiliations
Małgorzata Ewa Drywień, Jakub Dźwigała, Marzanna Staszewska-Skurczyńska
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP69767
- DOI -
- Views 199
- Downloads 0
Optimism and health
Introduction and objective of the study: This article describes the most common concepts of optimism and contemporary definitions of health. The diversity of approaches and ongoing interest in the scope of problems conc...
Functional fitness of rural population aged over 70 and demand for care
Progressing age and the accompanying diseases have a detrimental impact on the condition of the elderly. Deterioration of one’s fitness causes physical discomfort and impairs mental well-being. It also constitutes a barr...
The impact of social advertising on health behaviour of students in Warsaw
introduction. Health behaviours may be shaped by many factors. One of them is social advertising. This paper addresses the issue of social advertising as a factor that may affect the kind of certain choices by the respon...
Inflammation of the choroid plexus and meninges, LCM (Lymphocytic choriomeningitis)
LCM virus belongs to the family Arenaviridae and occurs worldwide. Its reservoirs are small rodents such as mice, rats, hamsters. Humans become infected mainly by inhalation – and therefore the most effective – through d...
Problem of informed consent to amputation in a female patient with gangrene of lower limbs – ethical aspects
Lower limb ischemia is a clinical syndrome with a complex etiology. Critical ischaemia usually leads to rest pain in the extremities, it may also lead to a necrosis and gangrene. In the case of multi-level, scattered ath...