Will Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplements Help You Live Longer?
What Are Branched-Chain Amino Acids?
Branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids (ones the body can't make) that have a special branched-chain structure. Athletes, especially body-builders, often take special amino acid preparations that contain branched-chain amino acids, because they limit muscle breakdown during exercise.
Branched-chain amino acids are also used to treat some medical conditions that cause muscle wasting and are given to burn victims in hospitals to help them recover from their injuries. Branched-chain amino acids, which include valine, isoleucine, and leucine, are also beneficial for treating a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia - and may even slow muscle wasting in people with ALS.
Do Branched-Chain Amino Acids Promote Longevity?
When researchers added branched-chain amino acids to the drinking water of middle-aged male mice and gave them their regular diet, the mice that got the special amino acid supplement lived twelve percent longer than control mice. Not only that, but they were able to exercise longer and had better muscle coordination.
When researchers looked at the mice's genes after giving them branched-chain amino acids, they found a longevity gene called SIRT1 was more active and that their muscles had more mitochondria, the tiny organelles that produce ATP to power cells.
Can These Special Amino Acids Promote Longevity in Humans Too?
No one knows, but branched-chain amino acid supplements do have benefits for people with certain medical conditions. Researchers are also hoping that they can be used to treat other diseases that cause muscle wasting such as anorexia, liver disease, and heart failure. Overall, supplementing with branched-chain amino acids appears to be safe in moderation.
Whether branched-chain amino acid supplements promote longevity in humans is difficult to determine since humans have such long life-spans, and it's hard to control their diet. These special amino acids are found naturally in such foods as meat, dairy products, soy, mushrooms, peanuts, and whole grains. While you can buy branched-chain amino acid supplements at health food stores, it's best to get them naturally, and enjoy them in moderation, whenever possible. They're part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.
References:
Medical News Today. "Mice Live Longer On Amino Acid Supplement"
Published by Kristie Leong M.D. - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
I'm a family physician with a strong interest in disease prevention and alternative medicine. I'm particularly interested in how diet plays a role in disease prevention. Hope I can inspire someone to lead a... View profile
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