isoleucine

November 26, 2001 by Linda Lazarides
Filed under Amino acids

Isoleucine

Amino acid

Isoleucine is one of the branched chain amino acids. It cannot be made by the human body, and is particularly involved in stress, energy and muscle metabolism.

The Brain Bio Center in the US has found that chronic schizophrenics may have reduced levels of isoleucine and that supplementation with isoleucine can reverse their psychosis, particularly if given in combination with very large amounts of vitamin B3.

Vegetarian sources: Weight for weight, soya protein concentrate, soya flour, tofu, peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are as rich in isoleucine as animal proteins.