Leucine (An Essential Amino Acid) Slows Muscle Loss
Loss of muscle mass, or Sarcopenia, usually goes along with aging. The exact cause of sarcopenia remains unknown, but scientists believe an imbalance in muscle-protein synthesis and breakdown that occurs as people age is responsible.
Researchers in France now believe that the elderly may be able to reduce, or even prevent, age-related muscle loss by consuming a diet rich in leucine, an essential amino acid.
In the Journal of Physiology, a study was perfomed with two groups of rats - one young, one older – and were fed diets supplemented with leucine. Before going on the leucine-rich diet, the older rats had shown a pattern toward excessive protein breakdown after a meal. After being fed the leucine diet for 10 days, however, the older rats' patterns of muscle-protein breakdown and synthesis were "totally suppressed," and appeared almost identical to the patterns seen in the younger rats.
Leucine cannot be manufactured by the body, as many can be. Essential amino acids must be consumed and ingested through dietary protein. Good sources of leucine include meat, dairy products, soy, and beans; leucine also is available as a dietary supplement. If you are concerned about losing muscle, talk to Dr. Thomas about supplements and your options for dietary and health changes.
Combaret L, Dardevet D, Rieu I, et al. A leucine-supplemented diet restores the defective postprandial inhibition of proteasome-dependent proteolysis in aged rat skeletal muscle. Journal of Physiology, December 2005;569:489-499.
More about Leucine
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Leucine helps with the regulation of blood-sugar levels, the growth and repair of muscle tissue (such as bones, skin and muscles), growth hormone production, wound healing as well as energy regulation. It can assist to prevent the breakdown of muscle proteins that sometimes occur after trauma or severe stress. It may also be beneficial for individuals with phenylketonuria - a condition in which the body cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine.
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