Determination of the Tolerable upper Intake Level of leucine in Acute men

Abstract

Leucine is purported to improve athletic performance. Therefore, the BCAA, especially leucine, are popular as dietary supplements among strength-training athletes. There are, however, concerns regarding possible adverse effects of excessive leucine intake. The objective of the current study was to determine the metabolic and adverse effects of the acute ingestion of very high intakes of leucine supplements. Five healthy men (20-35 y) each received graded stepwise increases in leucine intakes of 50, 150, 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) corresponding to the Estimated Average Requirement, and Estimated Average Requirement ×3, ×5, ×10, ×15, ×20, and ×25 to a total of 29 studies. The graded stepwise approach was used rather than a randomization of leucine intake to minimize the possibility of severe adverse effects. Participants were given a maintenance diet for 2 d prior to each leucine level containing 1 g · kg(-1) · d(-1) of protein and 1.7× measured the resting metabolic rate. Leucine oxidation was determined using L-[1-13C]-leucine and the appearance of (13)CO(2) (calculated as F(13)CO(2)) in breath. A range of markers was used to monitor for adverse effects, including glucose, insulin, alanine aminotransferase, and ammonia. Plasma leucine concentrations significantly increased beyond an intake of 500 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1). The metabolic limit to oxidize leucine was between 550 and 700 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1). An increase in blood ammonia concentrations was observed at leucine intakes >500 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1). There were no changes in liver alanine aminotransferase. Glucose concentrations fell (P < 0.004) but remained within the normal range and without any change in insulin. This study is the first to our knowledge to directly estimate the safe upper limit of leucine intake in humans and raises concerns that intakes >550 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) or ~39 g/d may be a risk to health. It is important to note that these are acute studies, where each participant was exposed to graded increases in leucine intake. Longer term adaptation was not studied.

The Measurement of Ammonia in Human Breath and its Potential in Clinical Diagnostics

“…In order to study ammonia-lowering drugs, oral glutamine is used to induce an increase in blood ammonia (Masini et al, 2003). There are three ways to reduce ammonia levels; 1) decreasing ammonia synthesis (lactulose enema, BCAAs (Pencharz et al, 2012)), 2) inhibiting ammonia production (antibiotics, lactulose (Ait-Aissa and Aider, 2014), lactitol, modification of colonic flora with lactobacillus (Jiang and DuPont, 2005;So, 1992)), 3) ammonia removal (ornithine-aspartate, benzoate (Efrati et al, 2000)). Breath ammonia could also be used as a tool for studying the metabolism of other drugs for potential hepatotoxic effects so as to allow dosage to be optimised for individual patients; using a personalised or precision medicine approach (Finberg and Guharoy, 2012;Poh and Chang, 2012).…”

Effects of bodybuilding and protein supplements in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and serum

“…Among BCAAs, leucine is a popular supplement, with a safe upper limit of 550 mg/kg bodyweight/day in adult men (43). In the present study, the bodybuilders used a mixture of BCAAs at 625 mg/kg bodyweight/day.…”

Efectos de los suplementos de proteína y aminoácidos de cadena ramificada en entrenamiento de fuerza: revisión bibliográfica

“…Pero sí que puede haber un efecto positivo con ciertas ingestas de BCAAs (ratio 2:1:1; leucina, isoleucina y valina, respectivamente) para atenuar el dolor y daño muscular (CK y Mb), así como interferir positivamente en ciertos parámetros de rendimiento relacionados con la fuerza. De todos modos, diversos interrogantes quedan por determinar sobre la cantidad de leucina o BCAAs y temporización, teniendo en consideración que la máxima ingesta segura de leucina seria 550mg/kg/d o ≈39g/d, ya que mayores aumentos podrían suponer un riesgo para la salud 56 .…”