Evidence supporting the use of: L-valine
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
L-valine is one of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), along with leucine and isoleucine, and is commonly included in supplements marketed for athletic performance and exercise recovery. The scientific rationale for its use lies in its role in muscle protein synthesis, energy production, and potential to reduce exercise-induced muscle breakdown. Some studies suggest that BCAAs, including valine, may decrease muscle soreness and improve muscle recovery after intense exercise by reducing markers of muscle damage and supporting repair processes. However, most research bundles valine with other BCAAs, making it difficult to isolate its individual effects.
Clinical trials specifically examining L-valine supplementation alone are limited. Most evidence comes from studies using BCAA mixtures, which show modest benefits in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and supporting exercise recovery, but the effects are generally small and sometimes inconsistent. There is stronger scientific support for the role of BCAAs as a group than for L-valine alone. Furthermore, for healthy individuals consuming sufficient protein, additional valine supplementation may provide limited practical benefit.
In summary, while there is a scientific basis for including L-valine in exercise and athletic supplements, the direct evidence for its efficacy is limited and not robust, resulting in a moderate-low evidence rating. Most benefits are likely due to the combined action of all BCAAs rather than valine specifically.
Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agmatine
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
ba ji tian
bacillus subtilis
BCAA
bee pollen
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
bicarbonate
black ginger
black tea
bovine
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
brown rice protein
Bulbine natalensis
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsiate
capsicum
capsinoids
cardarine
casein
cistanche
citrate malate
cocoa
coconut
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Ribose
deer velvet
dihydrocapsiate
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
Ephedra
ephedrine
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
ginseng
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
green tea
guanidinoacetic acid
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Higenamine
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
jiaogulan
ketone salts
kola nut
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Mate
Methylliberine
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Muira puama
Mushroom
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
omega-3 fatty acids
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Palatinose
paraxanthine
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
Phytoecdysteroid
Piper nigrum
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline quinone
pyruvate
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
Safed musli
salt
sea salt
Sida cordifolia
spirulina
suma
Synephrine
Teacrine
Theacrine
Theobromine
Tongkat ali
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
Xanthine
Yerba mate
Yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by L-valine
Athletic and Exercise AidsBody Building
Fatigue
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Products containing L-valine
Designs For Health
Amino Acid Supreme™
Designs For Health
Amino Acid Synergy
Thorne
Amino Complex Berry
Thorne
Amino Complex Lemon
Pure Encapsulations
Amino-NR
Pure Encapsulations
Amino Replete
Pure Encapsulations
BCAA
Pure Encapsulations
BCAA
Pure Encapsulations
BCAA
Designs For Health
BCAA Powder with L-Glutamine
Metagenics
BCAAs Orange Mango
Metagenics
BioPure Protein® Powder
Pure Encapsulations
Essential Aminos
Douglas Laboratories
Free Form Amino
Klean Athlete
Klean BCAA + Peak ATP®
Klean Athlete
Klean Essential Aminos + HMB®
Klean Athlete
Klean Isolate ™
Douglas Laboratories
Muscle Protect™ with HMB®
Metagenics
Perfect Protein® Pea & Rice Chocolate Powder
Metagenics
Perfect Protein Pea & Rice Vanilla Powder
Metagenics
Perfect Protein Whey Chocolate
Metagenics
Perfect Protein Whey Vanilla
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics
Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla