Valine

Valine or L-valine is one of the nine essential amino acids for humans, and is also available in branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements.

ME/CFS
The genes TRPV1 and VARS2 and their associated proteins influence the effects of valine in the body, and have been implicated in pathophysiology of ME/CFS. The pilot study from the ongoing ME/CFS Gene Study found that VARS2 was one of the ten relatively common genes or gene variants that were significantly more common in people with ME/CFS. Iacob et al. (2016) found differences in gene expression for TRPV1 after moderate exercise in ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients, transient vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) is associated with pain, fatigue and inflammation, including both increased fatigue and pain during post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS.

Costs and availability
Available over the counter, but more often sold as a BCAA supplement.

Branched Chain Amino Acids
Valine, along with leucine and isoleucine is branched chain amino acid (BCAA).

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

Notable studies

 * 2019, Genetic Predisposition for Immune System, Hormone, and Metabolic Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Pilot Study (Full text)
 * 2016, Gene expression factor analysis to differentiate pathways linked to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression in a diverse patient sample - (Full text)

Learn more

 * Valine - PubChem