By Jim Stoppani, Ph.D Flex
Leucine (a branched-chain amino acid) is critical for muscle growth because it helps turn on muscle protein synthesis. New research shows that leucine has other important functions. Harvard (Cambridge, Massachusetts) researchers fed mice a high-fat diet for eight weeks; some received leucine in their water, the others did not. The graph shows that the mice given leucine gained significantly less subcutaneous fat.
This effect may be due to the higher insulin sensitivity that the leucine-fed group experienced. That means less storage of bodyfat; plus, it’s another reason why BCAAs may increase muscle growth. Since insulin is anabolic, having higher insulin sensitivity means that the muscles are more receptive to insulin’s actions on muscle growth.
TO BUILD MORE MUSCLE AND REDUCE BODYFAT, TAKE 5–10 GRAMS OF BCAAS (IN A RATIO OF LEUCINE:ISOLEUCINE:VALINE OF AT LEAST 2:1:1) WITH YOUR MORNING SHAKE, PREWORKOUT SHAKE, POSTWORKOUT SHAKE AND BEDTIME MEAL.
Note from Anabolic Minds editor - That last paragraph from Flex magazine simply isn't supported by the actual research study. It doesn't show any loss of body fat, it just less gains of bodyfat while using leucine. So rather than thinking about the leucine for losing bodyfat, think about adding it in for when you are bulking, to reduce bodyfat gains.
Source: http://www.flexonline.com/nutrition/...leucine-update
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