Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are all branched-chain amino acids. They aid in muscle recovery after training. Today, Nutri Avenue focuses on the topic of two of the ingredients, “L-Isoleucine VS Leucine: Which One Is Better?”
L-Isoleucine VS Leucine: What Are They?
What Is Leucine?
The main function of leucine is to work with dilute hydrochloric acid to repair muscles and provide energy to body tissues. It also increases growth hormone production and helps burn visceral fat. These fats are inside the body and are difficult to produce effective effects through diet and exercise alone.
It also promotes healing bones, skin, and damaged muscle tissue. Therefore, doctors often recommend that patients take leucine supplements after surgery.
Leucine is mostly found in bread and pasta products. If you eat more of these foods, your leucine intake will increase. During the metabolism of leucine, if muscle tissue damage or strain occurs, eating more foods rich in leucine is recommended. It can support the recovery of damaged muscles.
But, like anything, too much can cause side effects. Studies have shown that a high leucine intake is related to problems such as pellagra and vitamin A deficiency. It causes dermatitis, diarrhea, mental disorders, and other problems. Too much leucine in the diet also increases the amount of ammonia in the body and damages liver and kidney function. Therefore, patients with impaired hepatic or renal function should not take large doses of leucine. It can cause the condition to worsen.
What Is Isoleucine?
Isoleucine’s functions include working with leucine and valine to repair muscles and control blood sugar. Also, it provides energy to body tissues. It also increases growth hormone production and helps burn visceral fat. Like leucine, these fats are internal to the body, making it difficult to effectively affect them through diet and exercise alone. Plus, because it is easily converted into glucose, isoleucine helps regulate blood sugar levels.
People who are deficient in isoleucine may experience symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemia, such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, irritability, etc.
The best food sources of isoleucine are from brown rice, beans, meat, nuts, soy flour, and whole grains. Because it is an essential amino acid, the body cannot produce it on its own and can only obtain it through diet.
L-Isoleucine VS Leucine: What’s The Difference?
First of all, judging from the molecular formulas of the two components, the molecular formulas of leucine and isoleucine are C14H19NO4 and C6H13NO2, respectively. The difference in their molecular structure is that the methyl group in the leucine molecular chain is next to the amino group. The methyl group of isoleucine is placed one level below the amino group.
In the living system, leucine is one of the essential amino acids in the human body. It is mainly involved in synthesizing proteins in the body and regulating the structure of proteins synthesized in extremely low-oxygen environments. At the same time, leucine can also promote the secretion and metabolism of insulin in the body.
Isoleucine is one of the supplement ingredients to combine the branched-chain amino acids. Its main function is to promote cellular energy metabolism and protein synthesis. In addition, some studies have shown that isoleucine lowers cholesterol levels, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
L-Isoleucine VS Leucine: Which One Is Better?
Leucine and isoleucine are both components of branched-chain amino acids. They aid in muscle recovery after training. Among them, some experts believe that isoleucine is the most effective branched-chain amino acid. It effectively prevents muscle loss because it is quickly broken down into glucose. Increased glucose prevents muscle tissue damage. Therefore, it is especially suitable for bodybuilders.
However, some studies have shown that the most important branched-chain amino acids are leucine, which is the precursor of Ketoisocaproic Acid (KIC) and HMB. KIC and HMB increase muscle, reduce fat, and provide nutrients to the body.
All in all, leucine has its own unique effects. There is no easy way to decide which ingredient is better. And, while both isoleucine and leucine are available in stand-alone supplement forms, Nutri Avenue is best used in fitness supplements as a branched-chain amino acid combination of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The combination of the two plus the effect of valine is more comprehensive for people exercising.
Conclusion
Although the molecular structures of leucine and isoleucine are very similar, from today’s summary topic, “L-Isoleucine VS Leucine,” it can be seen that the two have different functions in living systems. With different effects, it is difficult to determine whether leucine or isoleucine is better. Additionally, both ingredients are components of branched-chain amino acids. They work even better when combined with valine. The common specification of branched-chain amino acids is generally 2:1:1, that is, leucine: isoleucine: valine 2:1:1.
Nutri Avenue provides well-proportioned branched-chain amino acids and bulk leucine and isoleucine powder, respectively, for more products. Welcome to contact us for more detailed product information, such as COA and quotation.