How Anabolic is L-Leucine?

rpen22 said:
Just for my own clarification, are you sure it isn't 4kcal/g?
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it varies by the actual amino acid.

but yeah, 4-5kcal/g is about right. Since less than 1kcal is such a miniscule value, I just say it's 5.

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thesinner said:
FYI, BCAA's have calories. It is approximately 5kcal/g
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Actually, some are more. Depends on whether glucogenic or ketogenic. I did find the link that i referred to in the other thread but it is at work, i think :think:
 
I've switched from leucine to BCAAs. I've read that your body might become inefficient at taking in the other 2 BCAAs if you mega dose on leucine. Whether or not it's true, I have chosen to play it safe.
 
nycste said:
you people really need to just combine them god lol


1-3 servings of your fav bcaa product

then 1 scoop leucine

thats all that would give ya your best bang for buck


do both its sooo cheap
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I know, I was half joking. I am new to the supp game so everyone was saying "get BCAAs, you gotta have em". So I buy them and have really liked them, now I see this thread, "you don't need BCAAs only Leucine"...lol. I just can't get ahead :) - I'll probably stickk to BCAAs that I have now but toss 500g of Leucine in my next order. I mean $15? I spend that on 1 steak :)
 
Hey Ninja, about your BCAA vs Bulk Leucine Question. BCAA in it's entirety has it's usages in the body, but as far as Muscle Hypertrophy, Leucine is the driving Amino. A lot of the university testing of post exercise insulin release triggers, insulin sensitivity perpetuating triggers, and hypertrophic effects on muscle cross sectional areas deal with free floating leucine. If muscle hypertrophy is your main objective, then take the free form leucine, if overall health is your primary objective, I'd stick with the BCAA. I personally take the free form bulk Leucine. I've tried Nutrabio's and I just got another bucket from Nutraplanet and I only take it pre and post exercise.
 
jonny21 said:
Actually, some are more. Depends on whether glucogenic or ketogenic. I did find the link that i referred to in the other thread but it is at work, i think :think:
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and that would depend on the length of the aliphatic side chain.(more carbons, more energy)
 
thesinner said:
More carbons = more energy when the compound is being combusted in the atmosphere.

I don't know if that holds 100% true for food energy, though.
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Isoleucine, Leucine, and Valine can all undergo transamination and oxidation to form varying Acetyl-CoA esters and TCA intermediates. Valine is glucogenic and undergoes formation to Propionyl and subsequently Succinyl-CoA(4carbon intermediate) for entrance into the Krebs cycle and ATP production. Leucine is ketogenic and undergoes cleavage to both Acetyl-CoA and Acetoacetate(4 carbon ketone body that breaks down to 2 Acetyl-CoAs) for ATP production. Isoleucine is both keto and glucogenic, in which it cleaves off Acetyl-CoA and simultaneously forms Succinyl-CoA for ATP production.

So based on carbon length of the side chain during transamination, you get the appropriate products for energy production.:thumbsup:
 
prld2gr8ns said:
Isoleucine, Leucine, and Valine can all undergo transamination and oxidation to form varying Acetyl-CoA esters and TCA intermediates. Valine is glucogenic and undergoes formation to Propionyl and subsequently Succinyl-CoA(4carbon intermediate) for entrance into the Krebs cycle and ATP production. Leucine is ketogenic and undergoes cleavage to both Acetyl-CoA and Acetoacetate(4 carbon ketone body that breaks down to 2 Acetyl-CoAs) for ATP production. Isoleucine is both keto and glucogenic, in which it cleaves off Acetyl-CoA and simultaneously forms Succinyl-CoA for ATP production.

So based on carbon length of the side chain during transamination, you get the appropriate products for energy production.:thumbsup:
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Well written.
 
rpenn22,
Lemon juice is good, or Citric Acid powder is relatively free, it's so cheap. It's ideal for lowering ph. Thus the reasoning you see it in formulations so often. It's 'Cheap' and 'lowers ph' (i.e. taste ,solubility) so it's ideal. Should be able to buy a kg for no more than $15.00.

The ph conformity guideline for BCAA's is typicially ph 5.5-7. Ideally you want your BCAA (each solely under 6.0) Most on the market is over 6.0, some as high as mid 6's. Most companies selling BCAA don't look for this when they buy them. Not that is really matters for efficacy but for ease of use it helps to know.

It does depend on your area too and water supply. Waters ph varies. A little citric acid will help. If sucrose or dextrose isn't an issue for you use gatorade powder which can be had in the grocery store.
Otherwise a little lemon juice as been already said.
 
VolcomX311; said:
Hey Ninja, about your BCAA vs Bulk Leucine Question. BCAA in it's entirety has it's usages in the body, but as far as Muscle Hypertrophy, Leucine is the driving Amino. A lot of the university testing of post exercise insulin release triggers, insulin sensitivity perpetuating triggers, and hypertrophic effects on muscle cross sectional areas deal with free floating leucine. If muscle hypertrophy is your main objective, then take the free form leucine, if overall health is your primary objective, I'd stick with the BCAA. I personally take the free form bulk Leucine. I've tried Nutrabio's and I just got another bucket from Nutraplanet and I only take it pre and post exercise.
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You are right about L-Leucine's hypertrophic properties. It is the amino acid with the most muscle-protein-synthesis-activating property. Yet, for it to induce optimal hypertrophy, not only other BCAAs, but other EAAs too, have to be available in the right quantities.
 
I think there is a substantial truth that the BCAA's are needed in a certain quantity. It would make the MOST sense to me, however, most of the university studies have used free floating L-Leucine, and have actually named Valine and Isoleucine as not playing a significant role in any hypertrophic effects (as far as "direct" correlation). Certain reasoning vs "Current" Peer reviewed studies don't seem to coincide, Leucine absolutely stands apart from its relative two branches.
 
VolcomX311; said:
I think there is a substantial truth that the BCAA's are needed in a certain quantity. It would make the MOST sense to me, however, most of the university studies have used free floating L-Leucine, and have actually named Valine and Isoleucine as not playing a significant role in any hypertrophic effects (as far as "direct" correlation). Certain reasoning vs "Current" Peer reviewed studies don't seem to coincide, Leucine absolutely stands apart from its relative two branches.
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Agree L-Leucine is the most anabolic-hypertrophic of the trio, but it is hard to imagine L-Isoleucine and L-Valine are redundant in the entire scheme, not to mention the rest of the EAAs. There is hardly redundancy in nature!
 
strategicmove said:
Agree L-Leucine is the most anabolic-hypertrophic of the trio, but it is hard to imagine L-Isoleucine and L-Valine are redundant in the entire scheme, not to mention the rest of the EAAs. There is hardly redundancy in nature!
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Agreed. Isn't that why BCAA's are typically are found in 2:1:1 ratio, which I believe is the ratio that they are found in muscle tissue.

Is overloading on just leucine as beneficial as overloading on BCAA's in the correct ratio (other than from a cost perspective)?



X
 
Agreed Strategicmove, I'm just saying as far as studies are showing in terms of "direct" correlation to muscle hypertrophy. But Nelix wrote something pretty in depth about the indirect roles the other two branches play.

I'm also not suggesting Leucine and water as a complete supplement, haha.
 
Xodus; said:
Agreed. Isn't that why BCAA's are typically are found in 2:1:1 ratio, which I believe is the ratio that they are found in muscle tissue.

Is overloading on just leucine as beneficial as overloading on BCAA's in the correct ratio (other than from a cost perspective)?



X
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I mix (free-form) EAAs with (free-form) BCAAs, and then "overload" with additional singular free-form L-Leucine.
 
strategicmove said:
I mix (free-form) EAAs with (free-form) BCAAs, and then "overload" with additional singular free-form L-Leucine.
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But doesn't that now throw the ratio out of whack? I guess just because that is the ratio that those aminos are found ~in~ the muscle doesn't mean that is the ratio they should be taken in, but the logic makes sense (either that or its cheaper for the supp companies).


X
 
Xodus; said:
But doesn't that now throw the ratio out of whack? I guess just because that is the ratio that those aminos are found ~in~ the muscle doesn't mean that is the ratio they should be taken in, but the logic makes sense (either that or its cheaper for the supp companies).


X
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I consider that ratio as the minimum structural requirement for the BCAAs to deliver their basic benefits. Assuming the EAAs are also available. For additional anabolic (hypertrophic) effects, a larger dose of L-Leucine is required. The required amount may be lower, if HMß (an L-Leucine metabolite) is additionally supplemented.
 
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