Leucine

Leucine - one of a family of compounds called 'branched-chain amino acids' - plays a key role in Enhanceing muscle cells make protein. This is one of the most important amino acids for hard training body builders. Dietary leucine serves as a substrate for muscle metabolism during periods of cellular energy depletion, thereby sparing essential contractile and enzyme muscle protein from degradation to supply leucine requirements. Because leucine contributes to gluterine synthesis, taking supplemental leucine before and after intense training and between meals can Enhance normalize glutimine levels in both the serum and muscle, thereby promoting anticatabolic muscle metabolism as well as supporting immune function.

• Diabetes.
• Muscle wasting, twitching and tremors.
• Hepatic encephalopathy (liver damage in alcoholics).
• Alcohol related brain damage

To influence protein metabolism and muscles, several grams of leucine are generally taken.

Leucine is available in good concentrations in meat and dairy products, and to a lesser degree in wheat germ, brown rice, soybeans, almonds, cashews and brazil nuts, chickpeas, lentils and corn.

No consistent evidence of toxicity has been linked to leucine supplements.

Acute Overdose: None
Chronic Overdose: A dietary excess of leucine may cause pellagra. This effect is only apparent when the diet also provided less than adequate amounts of nicotinamide.
What to do: For an acute overdose, call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS), or the nearest poison control center immediately. For symptoms of chronic overdose, contact your doctor.

• Individuals with kidney or liver problem should not consume high intakes of amino acids without consulting their doctor.
• Leucine supplementation should not be applied to kids suffering from the maple syrup urine problem.