Leucine

Leucine or L-leucine is a pyruvate family amino acid and a essential amino acids for humans. Leucine is also available as a natural supplement, and in branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements.

Purpose
Leucine is an important amino acid for protein synthesis, and for energy metabolism. Leucine also helps regulate blood sugar, grow and repair muscle and bone tissue, produces growth hormone, and supports wound healing.

Leucine has a role as a plant metabolite, an E. coli (bacteria) metabolite, a human metabolite and others.

Leucine is concentrated in muscle tissues in humans, and like other BCAAs (isoleucine and valine) it is mostly oxidized in skeletal muscles rather than the liver.

Leucine, once catalyzed, contributes to ATP production, which is vital when moving from rest to exercise.

Evidence
Leucine helps prevents breakdown of muscle proteins after physical injury or severe stress, and it has been investigated for metabolic support.

Leucine has been used to treat sarcopenia, which is the loss of lean skeletal muscle mass, in the elderly.

Costs and availability
Available over the counter as a dietary supplement.

Branch-Chain Amino Acids
Leucine is branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and found in BCAA supplements, along with isoleucine and valine.

AXA1125
Leucine is one of a number of amino acids in AXA1125, which is undergoing clinical trials for a number of uses.

Learn more

 * Leucine - PubChem