Branched-chain amino acids

Branched-chain amino acids/Nutrient Depletion:

  • CaffeineCaffeine: In humans, oral administration of caffeine lowered plasma BCAA levels following fatigue-inducing mental tasks (75).
  • GlucoseGlucose: In humans, concomitant administration of glucose and amino acids lowered blood glucose (32). Compared to the placebo group, participants administered CHO or CHO + BCAA showed statistically increased plasma glucose levels at 15, 30, 45, and 75 minutes of exercise, as well as at fatigue (p<0.05) (33). In cross-country runners administered BCAAs, significantly decreased levels of glucose after exercise compared to before the race were noted (5.2 ? 0.7 vs. 5.9 ? 0.6mmol/L, respectively; p<0.01) (3).
  • GlutamineGlutamine: In human research, acute depletion of glutamine increased leucine oxidation in patients being treated with prednisone (76).