Isoleucine is the lesser-known cousin of leucine but equally important in the grand scheme of things. Isoleucine is one of the nine essential amino acids, which means your body can’t produce it on its own. You’ve got to get it from your diet or supplements. It’s also one of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), along with leucine and valine.
Why Should You Care?
Well, isoleucine plays a big role in muscle repair1 and energy regulation. It’s like the backstage crew at a rock concert—making sure the show goes on smoothly but rarely getting the spotlight. It helps with endurance and fights off muscle fatigue. So, if you’re hitting the gym or running a marathon, isoleucine is your silent cheerleader.
Where Can You Find It?
You’ll find isoleucine in many of the same places you find leucine. We’re talking meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. On the plant side, it’s in nuts, seeds, and legumes. So, if you’re eating a balanced diet, you’re probably getting enough isoleucine without even trying.
Any Side Effects?
Generally, isoleucine is safe when consumed through food. But if you’re thinking about going the supplement route, just know that too much of it can mess with your blood sugar levels and might interfere with medications for diabetes. Always a good idea to chat with a healthcare provider before diving into the supplement game.
So, there you have it. Isoleucine: the unsung hero of muscle repair and energy regulation. It may not be the star of the show, but it’s definitely a key player.
- Liu, Shuge, Yunmei Sun, Rui Zhao, Yingqian Wang, Wanrong Zhang, and Weijun Pang. “Isoleucine increases muscle mass through promoting myogenesis and intramyocellular fat deposition.” Food & function 12, no. 1 (2021): 144-153. ↩︎