Branched-chain amino acids
Leucine, isoleucine and valine form the group of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). As protein building blocks, they are natural components of foods containing protein such as meat, fish or legumes. In the context of a normal diet, BCAAs are always ingested in combination with other amino acids. BCAAs can be extracted from protein sources and can be consumed in isolated form, as single BCAA or as combination of all three BCAAs or only of two of them, for example in the form of certain food supplements.
However, there are indications of possible health risks associated with higher intake levels of BCAAs in isolated form. These particularly relate to undesirable changes in laboratory parameters, for example increased blood ammonia levels. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) has taken this as a reason to derive guidance values for tolerable supplemental daily intakes of leucine, isoleucine and valine in isolated form, when ingested as a single BCAA or as combination of the BCAAs.
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