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ISOLEUCINE
Isoleucine is a non-essential branched chain
amino acid found abundantly in most foods. Isoleucine is found in especially high amounts
in meats, fish, cheese, most seeds and nuts, eggs, chickens and lentils. In the human body
Isoleucine is concentrated in the muscle tissues. Isoleucine is necessary for hemoglobin
formation and in stabilizing and regulating blood sugar and energy levels.
A deficiency of isoleucine can produce symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemia. It
has been identified as one of a group of amino acids deficient in amino acid profiles run
on mentally and physically ill patients. Isoleucine is frequently deficient in the
elderly, and may contribute to muscle wasting, twitching and tremors.
The branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are Isoleucine, Leucine and Valine. BCAAs are
popular with body builders looking to restore muscle mass traumatized from excessive
overtraining. BCAAs are also used to treat injuries and physical stress conditions, such
as surgery and liver disease. The ability of these amino acids to help in abnormal
conditions does not imply that they will help in healthy individuals, and no studies
indicate that extra intake will help in muscle building. Since the body cannot make
this amino acid from other sources, maintaining sufficient amounts in the diet IS
important.
Jeffery Bland, author of Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition, gives the range of
isoleucine requirement in normal adults as being between 250 and 700 milligrams daily. The
isoleucine content of animal protein is 42 milligrams per gram of protein.
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