Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
For the body system: Muscles
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA), also known as leucic acid, is a metabolite of the branched-chain amino acid leucine. Its use for supporting the muscular system is primarily justified by scientific evidence, though the quality and quantity of studies are moderate. Several small-scale clinical trials and animal studies suggest that HICA supplementation may help reduce muscle soreness (delayed onset muscle soreness, DOMS), decrease muscle breakdown, and promote muscle mass gains in athletes and physically active individuals. The proposed mechanism is related to HICA's ability to inhibit muscle protein breakdown (proteolysis) and potentially enhance muscle protein synthesis.
For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Finnish soccer players (Mero et al., 2010) showed that three weeks of HICA supplementation resulted in greater increases in lean body mass and reduced muscle soreness compared to placebo. Other studies have indicated potential anti-catabolic and anabolic effects, but sample sizes have generally been small and the duration short.
While these results are promising, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. Currently, HICA is used in some sports nutrition products as an ingredient aimed at supporting muscle growth and recovery. Its use is not based on tradition or historical herbal practice, but rather on emerging scientific evidence, which, while positive, is not yet robust.
Other ingredients that support Muscles
Acetyl L-carnitineAcetylcholine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
animal protein
animal Tissue
Anserina
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
arnica
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
avocado
ba ji tian
banana
BCAA
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Biopeptide
black galingale
black ginger
black gram
Black willow
blue cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
brown rice protein
C-phycocyanin
caffeine
calcium
camphor oil
cardarine
Carnosine
casein
Cetylated Fatty Acids
cherry
chia seed
chickpea protein
Chinese mountain ant
chloride
chuchuhuasi
citrate malate
coca
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coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cramp bark
creatine
creatine monohydrate
Curcuma
Curcuminoid
Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanotis vaga
Cyathula
d-alpha tocopherol
D-Ribose
date
deer velvet
devil's claw
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipeptide
Dipsacus
DL-Methionine
dong quai root
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
elk antler
emu oil
epicatechin
epistane
Erythrina
essential oil blend
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
eucommia
Eurycoma Longifolia
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish protein
forskohlii root
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycine
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
guanidinoacetic acid
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guelder rose
Haematococcus pluvialis
hairy arnica
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hydroxymethylbutyrate
icariin
Iporuru
iron
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isomaltulose
kale
ketosterones
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
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L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Lavandin
Legume protein
Lentein
Lentil
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
lipids
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
Marine protein
Marjoram
Maslinic acid
Menthol oil
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Methylxanthine
Milk
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Mineral blend
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
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ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pea
Peppermint
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phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
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polyphenols
potash
potassium
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protein
proteolytic enzymes
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pyruvate
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quinoa
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rhizome
ribose
rue
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salt
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siler root
solomon's seal
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soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
squawvine
suma
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Taxillus sutchuenensis
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trace minerals
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichopus zeylanicus
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turmeric
Tynanthus panurensis
ubiquinol
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Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watermelon
wheat germ
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white willow
Wintergreen
Withanolides
Wood betony
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)