Abstract
The three branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), leucine, isoleucine and valine, are ‘essential’ amino acids, and together comprise about 40% of the minimum daily requirement for essential amino acids in man. Plasma levels of these amino acids are more drastically affected than the other AA following changes in caloric or protein intake1–4. Starvation for even 24 h will increase the plasma concentration of all three BCAA in humans1,5,6 and in rats3,7, while most other amino acid levels decline. Starvation beyond 1 week shows a fall in plasma BCAA to basal levels. Protein deprivation (in days, or longterm as in kwashiorkor) lowers the BCAA to below basal levels8,9.
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