• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Click here to download the  free ebook of Alberto Juantorena’s  detailed training workouts leading up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics

SpeedEndurance.com

Success in Track & Field ... and Life

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Track & Field
    • 400 meters
    • 800m & Mile
    • 1/2 & Full Marathons
    • Long & Triple Jump
    • Hurdles
  • Training
    • Weight Training
    • Abs & Core
    • Injury Prevention
    • Shoes & Spikes
    • Masters
  • Coaching
    • Freelap Friday Five
    • Interviews
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Sport Psychology
  • Archives
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Checkout
    • Basket

BCAA? Long Life Secrets Part 2

You are here: Home / Health & Wellness / BCAA? Long Life Secrets Part 2
2
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

October 12, 2010 by Jimson Lee Leave a Comment

Part 1 of Long Life Secrets can be found here.

I’ve long advocated that BCAA can be beneficial in long workouts.  The downside is they are expensive and they taste like crap.

In a study from the University of Milan in Italy, they demonstrated how amino acids, specifically Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, given to middle-aged male healthy mice lived 12% longer than non-supplemented mice. (869 days compared with 774 days)

Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine represent 3 out of the 8 essential amino acids.  For more information on Amino Acids, see this past article.

What the heck is Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine?

Lysine research suggests that this amino acid may positively impact inflammation and strengthen bones and joints, among other benefits.  There’s no hard medical proof that lysine will prevent osteoporosis, but it’s a factor.

Leucine is a BCAA that helps to regulate blood sugar and grow and repair muscle tissue. Leucine helps muscles recover from injury, trauma and microtears was well as preventing muscle catabolism.

Isoleucine is a BCAA involved in blood clotting and the formation of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.  Isoleucine assists with regulating blood sugar and energy levels in the body. 

Regarding regulating blood sugar, Insulin, as well as EPO, are two of the hidden secrets sprinters use to gain the extra illegal advantage.  So if you can take a legal amino acid supplement, why not?

But before we all rush out and buy BCAA, I have to remind you that the human body is a complex metabolic pathway which is different than mice (at least the last time I checked).  More research is needed.  But if BCAA do help you in your long workouts, it might be difficult to pinpoint what worked and what didn’t work to the other 99 things you are taking and doing.

See also  Sleep Deprivation and Testosterone Levels

Here is the link to the research study:

In laboratory experiments, middle-aged male healthy mice were given drinking water laced with three specific amino acids.

The animals lived significantly longer than other mice fed a normal diet.

Their lifespan range had a midpoint of 869 days compared with 774 days for untreated mice, a difference of 12 per cent.

Longer survival was accompanied by biological changes which boosted the energy supply to cells and reduced oxidative damage caused by destructive molecules called free radicals.

The treated mice had more stamina and improved muscle co-ordination.

"This is the first demonstration that an amino acid mixture can increase survival in mice," said study leader Dr Enzo Nisoli, from the University of Milan in Italy.

Last year scientists showed that the same amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine, could extend the lifespan of single-celled yeast.

The new findings, reported in the journal Cell Metabolism, raise the possibility of amino acid supplements benefiting humans.

The scientists pointed out that the mice studied were aged but otherwise healthy.

They believe taking the amino acids might be especially helpful for the elderly or ill, particularly people with heart failure, chronic lung disease, or other conditions characterised by flagging energy levels.

Dr Nisoli said a large patient trial was needed to provide evidence convincing enough for doctors. However, there was little financial incentive for companies to conduct such studies on dietary supplements.

Leucine, isoleucine and valine, known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), account for a fraction of the 20 amino acids from which proteins are made, but appear to have special anti-ageing properties.

Mice given the three amino acids produced larger numbers of mitochondria – the rod-like "powerhouses" in cells that generate energy – in their heart and skeletal muscle.

They also showed increased activity of SIRT1, a well-known longevity gene, and developed better defenses against free radicals.

BCAA nutritional supplements are readily available in health food stores and online.

Amino acid supplements were likely to be more effective than consuming proteins containing the same amino acids, according to the researchers.

Unlike protein, they did not have to be digested, and could enter the bloodstream immediately.

"They come with no energy cost," said Dr Nisoli.

In their paper the scientists wrote: "We have provided evidence that an original BCAA mixture increases average life span in male mice.

"This was likely the consequence of increased mitochondrial biogenesis and reduced oxidative stress in cardiac and skeletal muscles.

Our study offers a rationale for deeply exploring the role of amino acids in prevention and control of age-related disorders in humans."

See also  Top 10 Supplement Checklist

Category iconHealth & Wellness,  Sports Nutrition,  Supplements

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recommended

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbs-aWxyLk

Shop Our Store

  • Bud Winter (9)
  • Championship Productions (6)
  • Clyde Hart (2)
  • Derek Hansen (1)
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation (2)
  • Jim Hiserman (6)
  • Jimson Lee (4)
  • Uncategorised (0)

Articles by Category

Products

  • Jim Hiserman - Developing 800m Runners: Identifying, Categorizing and Developing 400m-800m Type Athletes $42.99 $39.99
  • Private Coaching - Monthly Plan $600.00 $525.00
  • Jim Hiserman-Developing-Distance-Runnersv2 Jim Hiserman - Developing Distance Runners Volume 2: A Systematic Approach to Developing Individual Success within a Dynamic Team Culture $34.95 $29.95
  • Feed-the-Cats-Clinic-3-Pack-701 'Feed the Cats' Clinic 3-Pack $64.99
  • Tony Holler's Feed the Cats": A Complete Sprint Training Program Tony Holler's "Feed the Cats" Complete Sprint Training Program $49.99
  • Bud Winter and Speed City presents Arthur Lydiard 509x716 Bud Winter & Arthur Lydiard MP3 [Download only] $9.99

RECENT POSTS

  • IFAC 2022: The Return of In-Person Conferences (with Virtual option)
  • Here is our 400m Discussion Recording… over 2 Hours Long
  • The Best Free Coaching Book – post Beijing 2022 Olympics
  • The Ultimate 400m Track Webinar for Coaches & Athletes
  • NACAC Athletics Coaching Science Series 2022
  • Top Six 400m Predictor Workouts (Number 4 is my Favourite)
  • Best 6 Podcasts for 2021 (and Beyond)
  • Why Karsten Warholm’s 45.94 400mH WR is my Highlight of 2021
  • Sprinting: 10 Research Articles for Effective Sprint Training [Part 23]
  • Pressure in Sports – Reflections from Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Copyright © 2023. SpeedEndurance.com is owned and operated by Aryta Ltd. Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy