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Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential nutrients including leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They're found in meat, dairy, and legumes.
BCAAs stimulate the building of protein in muscle and possibly reduce muscle breakdown. The "Branched-chain" refers to the chemical structure of these amino acids.
BCAAs are used for reduced brain function in people with advanced liver disease and for a movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs. They are also commonly used to improve athletic performance, prevent fatigue, reduce muscle breakdown, and other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to support these other uses.
- Hepatic encephalopathy. Oral and intravenous BCAAs improve symptoms and nutritional status in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, especially in those not tolerating protein supplementation.
Login for details - Tardive dyskinesia. Oral BCAAs might reduce symptoms of tardive dyskinesia precipitated by antipsychotic drugs.
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- Liver cancer. Oral BCAAs do not seem to improve outcomes or reduce the risk for recurrence in patients with liver cancer.
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- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Overall, oral BCAAs are not beneficial and might even lead to worsened outcomes in patients with ALS.
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- Alzheimer disease. It is unclear if dietary BCAAs prevent Alzheimer disease.
Login for details - Athletic performance. Small clinical trials suggest that although oral BCAAs may not enhance athletic performance, they may modestly reduce perceived exertion and fatigue with some forms of exercise.
Login for details - Bipolar disorder. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with bipolar disorder.
Login for details - Cachexia. Small clinical studies suggest that oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with cachexia from various causes.
Login for details - Cancer. It is unclear if dietary BCAA consumption improves cancer-related mortality.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear if dietary BCAA consumption reduces the risk of CVD-related mortality.
Login for details - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear if oral BCAAs can improve physical performance in adults with COPD.
Login for details - Cirrhosis. Most small studies suggest that BCAAs may modestly improve certain measures in some patients with liver cirrhosis.
Login for details - Colorectal cancer. It is unclear if dietary BCAAs are beneficial or harmful in patients with colorectal cancer.
Login for details - Dementia. It is unclear if dietary BCAAs help to prevent dementia.
Login for details - Diabetes. It is unclear if dietary BCAAs reduce the risk for developing diabetes.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle damage. Small studies suggest that BCAAs might reduce some, but not all, markers of muscle damage caused by exercise.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle soreness. Limited evidence suggests that oral BCAAs may modestly attenuate exercise-induced muscle soreness.
Login for details - Heart failure. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with heart failure.
Login for details - Hepatitis. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with hepatitis.
Login for details - Inflammatory myopathies. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
Login for details - Obesity. It is unclear of oral BCAAs can reduce the likelihood of developing obesity or improve weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.
Login for details - Overall mortality. It is unclear if dietary BCAA consumption reduces the risk of all-cause mortality.
Login for details - Pancreatic cancer. The association between dietary BCAA intake and pancreatic cancer risk is unclear.
Login for details - Phenylketonuria (PKU). It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with PKU.
Login for details - Physical performance. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial for improving physical function and muscle strength in older adults.
Login for details - Postoperative infection. There is limited evidence on the intravenous and oral use of BCAAs for reducing infection after oncologic surgery.
Login for details - Postoperative recovery. There is limited evidence on the intravenous and oral use of BCAAs for improving postoperative recovery after oncologic surgery.
Login for details - Psychological well-being. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial for psychological well-being.
Login for details - Sarcopenia. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with primary sarcopenia or in those with sarcopenia related to liver cirrhosis.
Login for details - Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients with SCA.
Login for details - Stroke. It is unclear if oral BCAAs are beneficial in patients recovering from stroke.
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When taken by mouth: BCAAs are likely safe when used in doses of 12 grams daily for up to 2 years. It might cause some side effects, such as fatigue and loss of coordination. BCAAs should be used cautiously before or during activities that require motor coordination, such as driving. BCAAs might also cause stomach problems, including nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if BCAA supplements are safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Children: BCAAs are likely safe when taken in food amounts. They are possibly safe when taken by children in larger doses for up to 6 months.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig disease): BCAA supplements have been linked with lung failure and higher death rates when used in patients with ALS. If you have ALS, do not use BCAA supplements until more is known.
Branched-chain ketoaciduria: People with this condition can experience seizures and severe delays in mental and physical development when BCAAs are consumed. Don't use BCAAs if you have this condition.
Diabetes: BCAA supplements might affect blood sugar levels. Watch for signs of low or high blood sugar and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and take BCAA supplements.
Surgery: BCAA supplements might affect blood sugar levels, and this might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using BCAA supplements at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Levodopa
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
BCAA supplements can decrease how much levodopa is absorbed by the intestines or brain. By decreasing levodopa absorption, BCAAs can decrease the effects of levodopa.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
BCAA supplements might lower blood sugar levels. Taking BCAAs along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
BCAAs are important nutrients found in protein sources such as meat, dairy, and legumes. It's estimated that adults should consume about 68 mg/kg daily (leucine 34 mg/kg, isoleucine 15 mg/kg, valine 19 mg/kg). But other estimates suggest that adults might actually need 144 mg/kg daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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