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Home >
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Supplement Articles
> Leucine |
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LEUCINE
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Along with increased
endurance and muscle
strength, Leucine can also
repair your bones and skin
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LEUCINE |
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Great for building
muscle and
increasing endurance |
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The amino acids that
the body cannot
produce, and need to
be taken in through
the diet, are called
essential. Leucine
is one of these
amino acids.
Leucine is also a
member of the
branched chain amino
acid (BCAA) group,
along with
isoleucine and
valine. BCAAs act
as a fuel source for
the muscle because
they are the only
amino acids that are
broken down directly
in muscle tissue.
They prevent the
muscle breakdown
that normally occurs
during strenuous
exercise, resulting
in increased
endurance and muscle
strength. |
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Other
tissues that the BCAAs help to repair
are the bones and
skin. BCAAs
regulate blood sugar
by producing
glycogen, the
storage form of
sugar in muscle
tissue. Leucine
increases the
production of growth
hormone. Growth
hormone is sometimes
referred to as the
fountain of youth
because it keeps the
body “young” by
repairing and
building tissue.
Levels of growth
hormone naturally
decline as we age
and increasing
growth hormone
levels protect
against the
development of age
related
conditions.
Leucine, and the
other BCAAs, can be
supplemented for the
following
conditions: muscle
wasting, recovery
from surgery, broken
bones, skin diseases
and can be used to
improve muscle
growth during
exercise.
The biologically
active form of
leucine is
L-leucine.
Branched chain
supplements are the
safest way to use
leucine. They are
available in a
variety of ratios.
The optimal
ratio for normal use
is 2:1:1 (leucine :
isoleucine :
valine). BCAA
supplements should
be taken a half an
hour before
workouts.
The branched chain
amino acids must be
taken together.
High doses of BCAA
can cause
hypoglycemia and
diabetics and
individuals with
hypoglycemia should
use BCAAs with
caution. High
leucine intake may
cause low niacin
(pellagra). High
leucine intake
increases ammonia
levels and may be
harmful to
individuals with
kidney disease. |
Leucine–
QUICK FACTS
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SOURCES
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Brown, rice,
beans, meat,
nuts, soy
flour, whole
wheat. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Building
muscle,
heals tissue
and bones,
increases
growth
hormone,
recovery
from
surgery.
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OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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Dependent
upon body
weight.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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Isoleucine,
valine,
vitamin B
complex.
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
The branched
chain amino
acids must
be taken
together.
·
High doses
of BCAA can
cause
hypoglycemia
and
diabetics
and
individuals
with
hypoglycemia
should use
BCAAs with
caution.
·
High leucine
intake may
cause
symptoms of
low niacin
(pellagra).
·
High leucine
intake
increases
ammonia
levels and
may be
harmful to
individuals
with kidney
disease.
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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