Evidence supporting the use of: Branched-Chain Amino Acids
For the health condition: Convalescence

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs), which include leucine, isoleucine, and valine, have been studied for their role in supporting recovery during convalescence, particularly in individuals experiencing muscle wasting due to illness, trauma, or surgery. Scientific evidence indicates that BCAAs are important for muscle protein synthesis and may help mitigate muscle loss during periods of physical inactivity or metabolic stress.

Clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that supplementation with BCAAs can be beneficial in specific populations, such as patients with liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy) or those recovering from critical illness. These studies suggest improvements in nitrogen balance, preservation of lean muscle mass, and enhanced recovery rates. However, the benefit appears most pronounced in individuals at risk for or experiencing significant muscle catabolism, rather than the general convalescent population.

Despite these findings, the overall quality of evidence is moderate. Some studies have methodological limitations, and results are not universally consistent. In otherwise healthy individuals recovering from mild illness or injury, the benefit is less clear. Guidelines often recommend adequate protein intake, with BCAAs as one possible component, rather than as a standalone intervention. Therefore, while BCAAs have a scientific basis for use in supporting convalescence—particularly in cases of muscle wasting—the evidence is not strong enough to support routine use in all convalescent patients.

More about Branched-Chain Amino Acids
More about Convalescence

Other ingredients used for Convalescence

Aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
arabinogalactan
astaxanthin
astragalus
Beta-Glucan
bilberry
black currant
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chlorella
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
elderberry
eleuthero
fish protein
garlic bulb
ginger
gotu kola
grape
green tea
iron
L-Alanyl-L-glutamine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
milk
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
pollen
pomegranate
protein
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
reishi mushroom
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
vitamin C
vitamin D
whey protein
zinc
jiaogulan
bee pollen
lingzhi
haliotis
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
fulvic acid
goji berry
Algae
Alcohol
Animal Tissue
Antler
Ambergris
Auricularia
Albumin
Andrographis
Algal protein
Alkylglycerols
Animal protein
Butter
Blackthorn
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
Bird's nest
Chinese Mountain Ant
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Chinese Pond Turtle
Centella asiatica
Chicken
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
D-Ribose
Dipeptide
Egg
Elk antler
Euglena gracilis
Egg protein
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fat liver oil
Fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
Gnaphalium
Glutamine
Glucan peptides
Growth factors
Globulins
Glutathione
Hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB Hydroxymethylbutyrate
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
Lactalbumin
Lactoglobulin
Lipids
Mineral ascorbate
Marine Protein
Malt
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Polysaccharides
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rubia yunnanensis
Smartweed
Shark Liver Oil
Shellfish
Sarivan
Trametes

Products containing Branched-Chain Amino Acids

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.