BCAAs could contribute to insulin resistance in obese people
Many dieters use branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the form of supplements(leucine, isoleucine, valine) to help maintain muscle mass during weight loss and reduce appetite. However, this could be a mistake.
Scientists at Duke University have shown that overweight people break down BCAAs faster than lean people and that these amino acids tend to promote insulin resistance (poor blood sugar regulation). In one study, rats placed on a high-fat diet and given BCAAs reduced body weight and the amount of food consumed, but at the same time promoted insulin resistance.
Supplementation with BCAAs might promote weight loss and reduce appetite, but it might also promote insulin resistance and type II diabetes, which means you might be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
(Cell Metabolism, 9: 311-326, 2009)
Many dieters use branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the form of supplements(leucine, isoleucine, valine) to help maintain muscle mass during weight loss and reduce appetite. However, this could be a mistake.
Scientists at Duke University have shown that overweight people break down BCAAs faster than lean people and that these amino acids tend to promote insulin resistance (poor blood sugar regulation). In one study, rats placed on a high-fat diet and given BCAAs reduced body weight and the amount of food consumed, but at the same time promoted insulin resistance.
Supplementation with BCAAs might promote weight loss and reduce appetite, but it might also promote insulin resistance and type II diabetes, which means you might be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
(Cell Metabolism, 9: 311-326, 2009)
