L-threonine

Related Terms

2-Amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid, glycine, L-(-)-threonine, L-thr?onine (French), serine, (S)-threonine, threonine, thr?onine (French), threoninum (Latin), treonina (Spanish).

Background

Threonine is an important amino acid that is a building block for proteins in the body. Some foods that are high in L-threonine are cottage cheese, watercress, sesame seeds, soy, meat and fish, lentils, eggs, milk, and gelatin.
L-threonine has been studied in the treatment of nerve disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, and muscle spasms. However, more research is needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


L-threonine taken by mouth for two weeks has been shown to benefit people who have muscle spasms. More research is needed.

 B


L-threonine taken by mouth for two weeks has been shown to benefit people who have muscle spasms. More research is needed.

 B


L-threonine has been studied in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a severe progressive nerve disorder. However, there is not enough evidence to support this use at this time. Some studies suggest that L-threonine may decrease survival in people with ALS. More research is needed.

 C


L-threonine has been studied in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a severe progressive nerve disorder. However, there is not enough evidence to support this use at this time. Some studies suggest that L-threonine may decrease survival in people with ALS. More research is needed.

 C


There is not enough evidence to support the use of L-threonine for muscle spasms in people who have multiple sclerosis. More research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C


There is not enough evidence to support the use of L-threonine for muscle spasms in people who have multiple sclerosis. More research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C


L-threonine has been studied for use in treating muscle spasms related to spinal cord injuries. Although there is some supporting evidence, more research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C


L-threonine has been studied for use in treating muscle spasms related to spinal cord injuries. Although there is some supporting evidence, more research is needed before a conclusion may be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), two grams of L-threonine has been taken by mouth once daily for one week.
To treat multiple sclerosis, 7.5 grams of L-threonine has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for eight weeks.
To treat muscle spasms, 4.5 grams or six grams of L-threonine has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for two weeks.
To treat muscle spasms caused by spinal cord injury, six grams of L-threonine has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for up to two weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
L-threonine may interact with agents that may affect the nervous system, agents that may treat Alzheimer's disease, agents that may treat skin disorders, agents that may treat stomach disorders, agents that may treat stuffy nose, cholesterol-lowering agents, medroxyprogesterone acetate, muscle relaxants, NMDA antagonists, and pain relievers.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Blin, O, Desnuelle, C, Guelton, C, et al. [Anomaly in the neurotransmitter amino acids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic application]. Rev.Neurol.(Paris) 1991;147(5):392-394.
Blin, O, Pouget, J, Aubrespy, G, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J.Neurol. 1992;239(2):79-81.
Borgonha, S, Regan, MM, Oh, SH, et al. Threonine requirement of healthy adults, derived with a 24-h indicator amino acid balance technique. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2002;75(4):698-704.
Bromberg, MB, Fries, TJ, Forshew, DA, et al. Electrophysiologic endpoint measures in a multicenter ALS drug trial. J.Neurol.Sci. 2-15-2001;184(1):51-55.
Dong, X, Quinn, PJ, and Wang, X. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum for the production of L-threonine. Biotechnol.Adv. 2011;29(1):11-23.
Godard, MP, Williamson, DL, and Trappe, SW. Oral amino-acid provision does not affect muscle strength or size gains in older men. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 2002;34(7):1126-1131.
Hauser, SL, Doolittle, TH, Lopez-Bresnahan, M, et al. An antispasticity effect of threonine in multiple sclerosis. Arch.Neurol. 1992;49(9):923-926.
Hsieh JTC, Wolfe DL, Connolly S, et al. Spasticity after spinal cord injury: an evidence-based review of current interventions. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (TOP SPINAL CORD INJ REHABIL) 2007;13(1):81-97.
Lee, A and Patterson, V. A double-blind study of L-threonine in patients with spinal spasticity. Acta Neurol.Scand. 1993;88(5):334-338.
Parton, M, Mitsumoto, H, and Leigh, PN. WITHDRAWN: Amino acids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / motor neuron disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2008;(2):CD003457.
Rochon, C, Prod'homme, M, Laurichesse, H, et al. Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the efficiency of an oral protein-rich nutritional support in HIV-infected patients. Reprod.Nutr.Dev. 2003;43(2):203-214.
Shakespeare, DT, Boggild, M, and Young, C. Anti-spasticity agents for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2003;(4):CD001332.
Testa, D, Caraceni, T, Fetoni, V, et al. Chronic treatment with L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study. Clin.Neurol.Neurosurg. 1992;94(1):7-9.
van der Schoor, SR, Wattimena, DL, Huijmans, J, et al. The gut takes nearly all: threonine kinetics in infants. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2007;86(4):1132-1138.
Wilson, DC, Rafii, M, Ball, RO, et al. Threonine requirement of young men determined by indicator amino acid oxidation with use of L-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2000;71(3):757-764.