Branched-Chain Amino Acids

These three essential amino acids are usually known under one name, BCAA, which is short for Branched Chain Amino Acids, describing their characteristic common feature, which is that the molecule's central chain of carbon atoms is bifurcated (branched into two). The three substances have a unique position in the amino acid therapy, not only because of their structure, but because of their function and synergy.
They are rarely used isolated but in almost all cases together, programmed for balancing the synergy. When it comes to their individual biochemistry and metabolism, they have very little in common. As far as we know, BCAA contain the biochemical key factors that are vital to the functions of human life, especially with regards to stress, energy, and the metabolism in the muscles - including the heart.
BCAA therapy is still a new thing, but it has already opened up for perspectives that may be revolutionary with regards to the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases.
BCAA cover about 40% of the necessary daily minimum consumption of essential amino acids and cover about half of these vital substances in our daily diet. The American authorities' stipulation of the daily minimum requirement per kg. of body weight is currently 12 mg. of isoleucine, 14 mg. of valine, and 16 mg. of leucine; which would be 840 mg., 980 mg., and 1042 mg. respectively, for the average grown person.
However, scientists questioned these figures more than 20 years ago, wondering whether they were too low. In their opinion, the requirements are 5 to 10 times as large, especially in stressful situations. The optimum dosage in certain situations should more likely be up to 5000 mg of each of the three amino acids.
BCAA are unique because the skeletal muscles can convert them into energy. They also promote protein synthesis. Their metabolism is a textbook example of the interaction of nutrients, and demands the presence of the B-vitamins : B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavine), B6 (pyridoxine) and biotine, plus the minerals magnesium and copper, and a number of enzymes and other factors.
BCAA seem to compete in the body with another group of amino acids, the so-called aromatic ones, including tryptophane, phenylalnine, and tyrosine, also known as AAA = Aromatic Amino Acids.
Certain stress- and illness situations - e.g. liver diseases- seem to favour the absorption and the dominance of the AAA-group at the expense of the BCAA-group - and the patient! This is probably the reason why BCAA not can slow tissue breakdown in cases of liver cirrhosis. This process can also be promoted by vitamin B6 supplements (pyridoxine).
Alcoholics have a disturbed BCAA-metabolism and patients with severe liver conditions have low BBCA concentrations in the tissue. In case of hepatic encephalopathy, there are often high tissue values of AAA and low BCAA values. The ammonium strain also induces the brains absorption of AAA at the expense of BCAA. The two groups seem to compete over the transport through the blood/brain-barrier.
Bodily injuries, surgical procedures, starvation, shock, peak load - such as competitive sports -, fever, poisoning, inflammation, infection, and other illnesses are kinds of stress situations. With increasing stress, the calorie requirement also increases.
Under severe stress, 30% of the diet should consist of amino acids, as stress promotes the break-down of proteins. Different suggestions to adjust these needs and make allowance for the body's changing demands have been put forward. In these, BCAAs play a very central role.
BCAAs have an over-all regulating effect on the entire protein metabolism, and compared to other amino acids the body needs them in larger amounts when subjected to stress. Therefore the rule is: The more stress you are subject to, the more nutrients you need.
Sometimes it can be very hard to identify the comparative effect of a singular factor or groups of these in the extremely complicated picture that emerges in cases of illness or stress.
However, the uneven competition between AAA and BCAA along with BCAA's ability to re-use protein fractions as well as the need to re-establish the often outflanked over-all control system of the BCAA (in order to re-establish a normal protein metabolism) seem to indicate that we have before us a "bottleneck problem". This can have fatal consequences for the sick person if it is not recognized in time and treated rationally, i.e. by transposing the amino acid balance with BCAA supplements.
As one would expect, low BCAA values are often found in patients who suffer from anorexia nervosa.
A tryptophan deficiency is an example of this (see more under tryptophan!). BCAA deficiency is, logically enough, a condition that can be expected as part of the suffering. Speaking of this, it can also be mentioned that low BCAA values sometimes are seen in connection with certain cases of psychosis.
The competition between BCAA and AAA should not make us forget that BCAA also competes within itself, and that a fair balance between the three amino acids is essential to any therapeutic supplement.
One of the basic perceptions within orthomolecular psychiatry is the connection between the consumption of maize products, pellagra and schizophrenia. The key factor in this connection has been revealed as a lack of active vitamin B3 and tryptophan. However, an excessive consumption of corn did also give an excess of leucine compared to isoleucine.
It has been noted that a high leucin intake not only worsens psychotic conditions, but also promotes the loss of vitamin B3 (niacin) through the urine. A isoleucin supplement will counteract high leucin levels.
In certain patients with chronic schizophrenia very low isoleucin values have been found. Some of these patients were treated with isoleucin supplements of 3 g. a day, and their values were soon normalized.
Diabetics often suffer from decomposition of tissue protein so they need more than the normal amounts of BCAA in their diet.
The enfeebled cancer patient often presents the same picture as the chronic anorectic patient. In both cases the problem is the lack of protein. BCAA supplements for cancer patients have been able to reduce weight reduction, thereby reducing the bad effects of weight reduction.
Isoleucine
Found in large concentrations in muscular tissue. Decencies in experimental animals have lead to shaking, trembling and spasms. Isolated supplements can counteract the consequences of too high leucin concentrations.
Should not be given as an isolated supplement without clinical control, and only be given in balanced combination with leucine and valine.
Therapeutic dosage :
In balance with leucine and valine, up to 350 mg. a day. When subject to strict clinical control, a combination of isoleucine, leucine and valine at 16, 14, and 12 mg. per kg of body weight is recommended. To be taken late in the morning and in the afternoon between meals.
Leucine
The deficiency symptoms are unknown. Lowers the blood sugar level and promotes healing. Supplements given to patients with Parkinson's disease seem to improve the condition in about half the cases. Values above normal can worsen psychoses, schizophrenia and pellagra. Should only be given in balanced combination with isoleucine and valine. See isoleucine above!
Therapeutic dosage:
In balance with isoleucine and valine up to 350 mg. a day. To be taken late in the morning and in the afternoon between meals.
Valine
A lack of this amino acid in experimental animals has caused nerve - and brain damage, i.e. degeneration of the myelin sheaths of the nerves, and a poor absorption of dietary protein and nitrogen.
Should only be given in a balanced combination with isoleucine and leucine, e.g. as a support in cancer therapy. DL-valine (synthetic form): Has proven to be helpful in the treatment of chronic inflammation. Up to 750 mg. a day.
Therapeutic dosage :
In balance with two other mentioned amino acids, no more than 350 mg. See isoleucine above! To be taken late in the morning and in the afternoon between meals.
Also see "Amino acid complexes - Protein supplements".