Isoleucine quick review

• Description: belongs to branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), cannot be manufactured in the body.

• Health benefits: necessary for muscle building, muscle recovery after exercise, ptimal growth of infants and for nitrogen balance in adults.

• Sources & dosage: almonds, cashews, chicken, chickpeas, eggs, fish, lentils, liver, meat, rye, seeds, and soy protein.

• Deficiency symptoms: deficiency of isoleucine can produce symptoms similar to those for hypoglycemia.

BCAA Plus Caps by Prolab Nutrition

Prolab BCAA Plus provides the essential amino acids L-Leucine, L-Valine and L-Isoleucine. These three protein-sparing amino acids are known as branched chain. It is a well known fact that amino acids are responsible for protein synthesis, hence the nickname building blocks. BCAAs are important in your quest for muscle growth and recuperation. Your body cannot manufacture its own BCAAs they must be supplied through your diet. Click here for more information.

Isoleucine

Isoleucine is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids, and coded for in DNA. Its chemical composition is identical to that of leucine, but the arrangement of its atoms is slightly different resulting in different properties. Isoleucine belongs to a special group of amino acids called branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are needed to help maintain and repair muscle tissue. Leucine and valine are other two branched-chain amino acids. L-isoleucine, which is both glycogenic and ketogenic, is converted via a number of metabolic steps to alpha-methyl-acetoacetyl-CoA, which in turn is converted to acetyl-CoA (ketogenic) and propionyl-CoA (glycogenic). Isoleucine cannot be manufactured in the body, and needs to be supplied in the diet and was first isolated in 1904 from fibrin.

Isoleucine functions, uses, and health benefits

Isoleucine, used in conjunction with l-leucine and l-methionine, is necessary for muscle building as well as muscle recovery after exercise. Isoleucine also helps prevent muscle proteins from breaking down during exercise. L-Isoleucine is a branched chain amino acid found in high concentrations in muscle tissues. It's used in the body to produce biochemical compounds that help in energy production. Isoleucine, together with the other two branched-chain-amino-acids promote muscle recovery after physical exercise and on its own it is needed for the formation of hemoglobin as well as assisting with regulation of blood sugar levels as well as energy levels. It is also involved in blood-clot formation. A dietary essential amino acid, isoleucine is needed for optimal growth in childhood. Isoleucine is necessary for the optimal growth of infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. Isoleucine is needed for hemoglobin formation and also helps to maintain regular energy levels. It is turned into muscle tissue after entering the body and being metabolized. Isoleucine is important for stabilizing and regulating blood sugar and energy levels and is required through the diet as it cannot be produced by our bodies. Supplemental doses of isoleucine may be very helpful in preventing muscle wasting and promoting tissue repair after surgery or trauma.

Dietary sources of isoleucine

Isoleucine is found in most food sources and is particularly high in many meats, fish, and cheeses. Good sources include almonds, cashews, chicken, chickpeas, eggs, fish, lentils, liver, meat, rye, seeds, and soy protein.

Isoleucine deficiency

A deficiency of isoleucine can produce symptoms similar to those for hypoglycemia. Isoleucine has been found to be deficient in people suffering from many different mental and physical disorders.