Vitamins For Dummies
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Isoleucine, Valine, and Luecine are essential amino acids, which means that you must get them from your diet. To include these nutrients in your diet, you can eat nuts, seeds, cheese, fish, poultry, and wheat germ.

These three amino acids form a class of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) that help in wound healing. Valine specifically supports lean muscle-mass building and muscle repair. Isoleucine and the other BCAAs can help reduce the harmful effects of stress on your body.

The key uses of isoleucine are:

  • This amino acid contributes to the biochemical process that gives you energy.

  • Isoleucine is often used in amino acid mixes, such as the protein powders and capsules currently popular with weight lifters, athletes, and other people who like to stay active. Such formulas help build lean muscle mass and reduce fat.

Leucine is essential for growth as a stimulator for protein synthesis in muscle. You often find it as part of an essential amino acid blend or a branched-chain muscle-building formula.

The key uses of leucine include:

  • Leucine is helpful in healing wounds and injuries.

  • Leucine helps balance your blood sugar because it produces energy.

Luecine is found in animal proteins and dairy products, oats, and wheat germ.

Valine produces energy, which spares energy stored in your blood glucose. Valine occurs in substantial quantities in most foods and is an essential part of many proteins.

Valine’s key uses include:

  • It is used in muscle building programs, and in general formulas to assist in protein metabolism.

  • Taking valine supplements (along with isoleucine and leucine) may be helpful in building muscle and in repairing tissue damage from liver and gallbladder disease.

You can find valine in grains, dairy products, meat, mushrooms, soy products, and peanuts.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., is an holistic health expert whose many books include Herbal Remedies For Dummies??. Elson Haas, M.D., is the author of Staying Healthy with the Seasons and The Detox Diet.

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