Leucine
Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and potent nutrient-based signal to activate protein synthesis.
Leucine is most often used for
Last Updated:August 3, 2023
Leucine, along with isoleucine and valine, is one of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Out of all the amino acids, leucine is the most potent activator of protein synthesis. Cells are able to sense leucine levels, and in response turn on protein synthesis via the enzyme protein mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master-regulator of protein synthesis.
Given the well-established protein-synthesis activating properties of leucine, a number of human trials have been conducted to determine whether adding supplemental leucine to various protein sources can augment muscle protein synthesis (MPS), particularly in older adults.
Anabolic resistance is a well-established phenomenon during aging, with cells becoming more resistant to turning on protein synthesis. This can be partly ameliorated with extra leucine, as research indicates that older adults need twice as much leucine compared to younger adults for similar activation of MPS.[1]
This increased leucine requirement for MPS in older adults can be partially explained by increased retention of orally ingested leucine in the gut, which is retained twice as much compared to young adults,[2] limiting the amount of leucine that makes it into the blood stream. Resistance to leucine-stimulated protein synthesis also occurs at the cellular level in aging cells.
Results in both younger and older adults have shown that supplementation with leucine enhances the MPS response,[3][4][5][6] namely when a suboptimal dose of protein is consumed.
In a study that compared a low (6 g) dose of whey protein alongside 3 or 5 g of extra leucine to 25 g of whey protein alone in younger adults, the low dose of whey protein plus 5 g of leucine meal stimulated MPS to a similar, but lesser extent than 25 g of whey protein.[3] Another study in younger adults compared the same 25 g dose of whey protein to 6 g of whey protein with an amount of leucine equivalent to 25 g of whey protein and found that only the group that consumed 25 g of whey protein had elevated MPS 3 to 5 hours post-exercise.[4]
Despite the positive effects of leucine on acute rates of MPS, long-term supplementation has largely failed to augment increases in muscle mass and strength in older adults.[7] Further research is needed to determine whether supplementation with leucine can augment muscle mass accretion in older adults with suboptimal protein intake.
Research suggests that supplemental leucine can augment muscle protein synthesis when a suboptimal dose of protein is consumed, but supplemental leucine will not confer additional benefit if a protein bolus sufficient to maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis is consumed.
- L-Leucine
- BCAAs
- Leucic acid (a metabolite)
Leucine tends to be supplemented in the 2,000-5,000mg range for acute usage.
It tends to be taken either in a fasted state or alongside meals with an inhernetly low protein content (or protein sources that are low in leucine).
Unlock the full potential of Examine
🚧 Under Renovation 🚧
The information in this section is slated for renovation — it will soon be transformed into a more usable (and readable!) form in the coming months. As such, the text in this section may be out of date and not up to Examine’s current standards for writing style.
- ^Isabelle Rieu, Michèle Balage, Claire Sornet, Christophe Giraudet, Estelle Pujos, Jean Grizard, Laurent Mosoni, Dominique DardevetLeucine supplementation improves muscle protein synthesis in elderly men independently of hyperaminoacidaemiaJ Physiol.(2006 Aug 15)
- ^Y Boirie, P Gachon, B BeaufrèreSplanchnic and whole-body leucine kinetics in young and elderly menAm J Clin Nutr.(1997 Feb)
- ^Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Di Donato DM, Hector AJ, Mitchell CJ, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Breuille D, Offord EA, Baker SK, Phillips SMLeucine supplementation of a low-protein mixed macronutrient beverage enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis in young men: a double-blind, randomized trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2014 Feb)
- ^Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, Mitchell CJ, West DW, Philp A, Marcotte GR, Baker SK, Baar K, Phillips SMSupplementation of a suboptimal protein dose with leucine or essential amino acids: effects on myofibrillar protein synthesis at rest and following resistance exercise in menJ Physiol.(2012 Jun 1)
- ^Caoileann H Murphy, Nelson I Saddler, Michaela C Devries, Chris McGlory, Steven K Baker, Stuart M PhillipsLeucine supplementation enhances integrative myofibrillar protein synthesis in free-living older men consuming lower- and higher-protein diets: a parallel-group crossover studyAm J Clin Nutr.(2016 Dec)
- ^Benjamin T Wall, Henrike M Hamer, Anneke de Lange, Alexandra Kiskini, Bart B L Groen, Joan M G Senden, Annemie P Gijsen, Lex B Verdijk, Luc J C van LoonLeucine co-ingestion improves post-prandial muscle protein accretion in elderly menClin Nutr.(2013 Jun)
- ^Zhe-rong Xu, Zhong-ju Tan, Qin Zhang, Qi-feng Gui, Yun-mei YangThe effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysisBr J Nutr.(2015 Jan 14)
- Rate of Perceived Exertion - Ispoglou T, King RF, Polman RC, Zanker CDaily L-leucine supplementation in novice trainees during a 12-week weight training programInt J Sports Physiol Perform.(2011 Mar)