Dietary BCAA Intake Is Associated with Demographic, Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Factors in Residents of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Identifying which risk groups have a higher intake of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) is important for the planning of public policies. This study was undertaken to investigate BCAA consumption, the foods contributing to that consumption and their association with demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Methods: Data from the Health Survey of São Paulo, a cross-sectional population-based survey (n = 1662; age range 12–97 years), were used. Dietary intake was measured using 24-h dietary recalls. Baseline characteristics were collected. Associations between BCAA intake and demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were determined using linear regression. Results: Total BCAA intake was 217.14 mg/kg·day (Leu: 97.16 mg/kg·day; Ile: 56.44 mg/kg·day; Val: 63.54 mg/kg·day). BCAA intake was negatively associated with female sex in adolescents and adult groups, with no white race in adolescents, and with former smoker status in adults. Conversely, BCAA was positively associated with household per capita income in adolescents and adults. No associations were observed in the older adults group. Main food contributors to BCAA were unprocessed red meat, unprocessed poultry, bread and toast, beans and rice. Conclusions: Adolescents and adults were the most vulnerable to having their BCCA intake influenced by demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Database Integrated in MEDIPAD Software as a Tool for Nutritional Investigation of Mediterranean Populations

“…Our data were also comparable to another recent BCAA study concerning the contribution of food groups to the content of each amino acid [ 59 ]. Our study was also comparable with that of adolescent residents in Brazil from the Health Survey of São Paulo concerning unprocessed red meat, poultry, savory baked, bread and toast, and beans and rice as contributors to BCAA intake [ 64 ]. In the US population, the major contributors were shown to be meat, milk, and fish [ 15 ].…”

“…In the US population, the major contributors were shown to be meat, milk, and fish [ 15 ]. However, in our population, in which the age range was different from the US study, fish and seafood had a lower contribution of 2% similar to the São Paulo study [ 64 ]. Also, we should mention differences in dietary habits in each country.…”

High Altitude Adaptability and Meat Quality in Tibetan Pigs: A Reference for Local Pork Processing and Genetic Improvement

“…Therefore, Tibetan pork is an effective way to supplement EAAs in the plateau. The high content of BCAA in Tibetan pork is not only conducive to the survival of Tibetan pigs, but also to the health of people who feed on them [43]. In addition, the high levels of bitter amino acids in Tibetan pork make cooking and seasoning of the meat, such as barbecue, a preferred method of processing and preparation.…”

Diet, Physical Activity and Adiposity as Determinants of Circulating Amino Acid Levels in a Multiethnic Asian Population

“…One promising area of research to gain insight into these mechanisms involves applying metabolomics, the measurement and identification of circulating biomolecules, to observational and intervention studies of lifestyle exposures. Previous metabolomics studies have reported associations between lifestyle behaviors, particularly dietary intakes, and concentrations of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) isoleucine, leucine and valine [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. While these metabolites are innately involved in biological functions, BCAAs have also been consistently identified as risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases due to their strong association with insulin resistance [19], with accumulating evidence for causal effects [20][21][22][23].…”

“…While these metabolites are innately involved in biological functions, BCAAs have also been consistently identified as risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases due to their strong association with insulin resistance [19], with accumulating evidence for causal effects [20][21][22][23]. Higher consumption of red meat has consistently been linked to higher BCAA levels [14][15][16][17]. However, these studies have mainly been conducted in populations where red meat is the largest source of protein.…”