WHAT IS ISOLEUCINE?

- Isoleucine is one of the nine necessary amino acids for humans, along with phenylalanine, valine,
tryptophan, threonine, methionine, histidine, leucine, and lysine. Essential amino acids,
commonly referred to as indispensable amino acids, are a class of amino acids that humans and
other vertebrates cannot generate from metabolic intermediates. Because the human body lacks
the metabolic pathways necessary to produce certain essential amino acids, such as isoleucine
amino acid, they must be obtained from an exogenous diet.
FUNCTIONS OF ISOLEUCINE?
- As one of the branched chain amino acids, isoleucine is essential for a number of physiological
processes, including the healing of wounds, the elimination of nitrogenous wastes, growth, the
stimulation of immune response, protein metabolism, hormone secretion, fatty acid metabolism,
and glucose transport. The immune system, including immune cells, organs, and reactive
chemicals, can be strengthened by isoleucine. Isoleucine, which is essential for the production of
hemoglobin and for controlling blood sugar and energy levels, is mostly found in human muscle
tissues. Additionally, recent research has indicated that isoleucine may stimulate the production of
beta-defensins, which are host defense peptides that control innate and adaptive immunity.
Furthermore, by boosting the expression of beta-defensins, isoleucine supplementation can
reverse the negative effects that some viruses have on both human and animal health.
IMPORTANCE OF ISOLEUCINE
- Isoleucine is an essential amino acid. Isoleucine aids in the synthesis of hemoglobin and is the
oxygen-carrying pigment found inside red blood cells. Additionally, it helps with blood sugar
regulation, energy enhancement, and endurance development. Isoleucine is well known for
promoting muscle growth and lean body mass while also speeding up the repair of injured
muscles.
SOURCES OF ISOLEUCINE
- Isoleucine can be found in a variety of food sources, both plant and animal based. Isoleucine is
frequently consumed since it is found in proteins. Proteases, which break down proteins into
single amino acids when they enter the small intestine, are then absorbed by the digestive tract's
lining, primarily in the small intestine, and used by the body. Isoleucine, an essential component
of many proteins, is present in both animal and plant-based protein sources.
- Foods that have high amounts of isoleucine include eggs, soy protein, seaweed, turkey, chicken,
lamb, cheese, and fish.