Introduction
Leucine is an essential amino acid that the body cannot produce itself. Leucine must therefore be taken in with food. Leucine is also one of the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA). Due to the special structure of leucine, it differs significantly from the other amino acids in its function and effect. In recent years, leucine, together with the two other branched-chain amino acids valine and isoleucine, has become more and more popular because it has positive effects on the muscles and fat burning, not only in weight training.
Function and effect
Leucine performs many important functions and tasks in the body. It owes its manifold effects to its special structure and the cooperation with the other two BCAA’s Valin and Isoleucin. The effects of leucine include Energy supply to the cells (especially in the muscles and liver) Promotion of fat metabolism Prevention of muscle breakdown Positive effect on the growth hormone somatotropin: the hormone promotes longitudinal growth, especially in childhood and adolescence, but also has other positive effects, for example on muscles and bones.
Somatotropin also plays an important role in stressful situations or during increased strain. It promotes wound healing because leucine is involved in the formation of new tissue: Leucine stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, thereby controlling the blood sugar level and at the same time reducing the release of the stress hormone cortisol Building block of glutamic acid Overall, leucine is thus involved in many important processes that take place in the body, which is why the amino acid is not only interesting for athletes but also for other groups of people such as diabetics, obesity patients, people with liver diseases and others.
- Energy supply of the cells (especially in the muscles and liver)
- Promotion of the fat metabolism
- Prevention of muscle loss
- Positive effect on the growth hormone somatotropin: the hormone promotes longitudinal growth, especially in childhood and adolescence, but also has other positive effects, for example on muscles and bones. Somatotropin also plays an important role in stressful situations or increased stress
- Promotion of wound healing, as leucine is involved in the formation of new tissue
- Regulation of the insulin balance: leucine stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, which controls the blood sugar level and at the same time reduces the release of the stress hormone cortisol
- Building block of glutamic acid
