Branched chain amino acid

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Branched chain amino acids or BCAAs are a group of amino acids often sold as nutritional supplements. The three branched chain amino acids are valine, leucine and isoleucine.[1]

Potential uses[edit | edit source]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Limited studies of BCAA supplementation have shown BCAAs reduce pain from Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) caused by excessive muscle use in untrained healthy adults, BCAA supplementation reduced muscle damage during both muscle overuse and endurance exercise.[2][3] However, DOMS occurs is healthy people and is not the same as post-exertional malaise.

Clinicians[edit | edit source]

Risks and side effects[edit | edit source]

Clinical trials of increased dietary BCAAs or BCAA supplements have not been carried out in ME/CFS patients. Risks, safety, side effects and potential benefits are unknown.

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. van der Poll, MCG; Luiking, YC; Dejong, CHC; Soeters, PB (September 2, 2009). "Amino Acids". In Caballero, Benjamin (ed.). Guide to Nutritional Supplements. Oxford, UK: Academic Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-0-12-375661-9.
  2. Shimomura, Yoshiharu; Inaguma, Asami; Watanabe, Satoko; Yamamoto, Yuko; Muramatsu, Yuji; Bajotto, Gustavo; Sato, Juichi; Shimomura, Noriko; Kobayashi, Hisamine; Mawatari, Kazunori (June 1, 2010). "Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation Before Squat Exercise and Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness". International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 20 (3): 236–244. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.20.3.236. ISSN 1543-2742.
  3. Greer, Beau Kjerulf; Woodard, John L.; White, Jim P.; Arguello, Eric M.; Haymes, Emily M. (December 1, 2007). "Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation and Indicators of Muscle Damage after Endurance Exercise". International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 17 (6): 595–607. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.17.6.595. ISSN 1543-2742.