An antioxidant extract from the resin known as frankincense which is produced by plants of the Boswellia species.

Availability: Mainly through medical herbalists or nutritional therapists.

Branched-chain amino acids (also see Amino acids)

These are the three amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, comprising about 40 per cent of the total minimum daily requirement for essential amino acids. They are particularly involved in energy and muscle metabolism, and can be used directly as an energy source by muscles. They are also anabolic, promoting protein synthesis.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are particularly depleted by stress, and studies have suggested that starvation, injury, surgery or infection raise requirements for BCAAs more than other amino acids. They may be elevated in diabetics since low insulin levels reduce the uptake of BCAA by muscle. BCAAs compete with each other and with tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine for transport to the brain. BCAAs can act as neurotransmitters and are constituents of neuropeptides which have neurotransmitter functions.

BCAAs stimulate protein synthesis, inhibit protein breakdown, and can substitute for glucose, providing an alternative energy source for the body. Because of their ability to maintain blood sugar levels, some doctors believe that BCAAs may be a more ideal energy source than glucose in intravenous feeding solutions, particularly as they decrease the rate of breakdown and utilization of other amino acids. Nitrogen retention (an indicator of the ability to use protein) in critically ill patients seems to be proportional to the amount of BCAAs, and BCAA supplements seem to be able to correct most hypercatabolic (tissue wasting) states.

Cases of unexplained anorexia may respond to BCAA supplements.

Brassicas

This is a sub-species of the plant family known as the Cruciferae (cruciferous vegetables).

Broccoli (see Cruciferous vegetables)