Foods high in isoleucine: what are they and how do they affect life expectancy?

Several media outlets have reported a recent study suggesting that the decline in isoleucine in the diet maybe increase life. As a result, the same media begin to explain the reasons for what happened. risks of isoleucine and list products that contain itso that we can reduce its consumption. But there are two problems that many of these articles don’t mention. First, the study in question was only conducted in mice, and not in people. And secondly, isoleucine is an essential amino acid. That is, we could not live without him.

Actually he’s famous many advantages, for which its consumption is greater than recommended. It is true that this study, conducted in mice, shows that limiting isoleucine in the rodents’ diet promotes certain metabolic benefits that provide them healthier aging. As a consequence, its authors note that if the same thing is confirmed to happen in humans, a drug could be created that mimics these effects. geroprotector.

Therefore, the risks of isoleucine are not directly discussed. They also do not advise stopping its use. It is important to take all this into account and approach the issue correctly, because essential substance for life. Therefore, risks aside, we must start by understanding the benefits of isoleucine.

Essential Amino Acid Benefits

Amino acids are blocks that make up proteins. There are 20 different types, and all of them are necessary. If the body lacks even one, there will be proteins left that cannot be built. It’s as if a letter has disappeared from the keyboard. It would be impossible to write a book.

There are some amino acids that can be synthesized directly in our body. Others, however, must be consumed. through diet. These are the so-called essential amino acids. Isoleucine is one such amino acid.

But like other amino acids, isoleucine is not an inert building block whose sole function is to produce proteins. It also has other features. In particular, it is involved in the transport of oxygen and control of blood glucose levels. It is involved in the healing of injured muscles and muscle development, and also increases energy and improves endurance.

On the other hand, it has been proven to help improve function the immune systeminterfering with the synthesis of protective proteins.

So what is the danger of isoleucine?

In fact, studies that talk about the risks of isoleucine do not directly mention these risks.

It points out how reducing the specified amino acid in the diet of mice can provide certain benefits. In a broad sense this entails increasing the lifespan of rodents. Life expectancy, which is affected by other factors not necessarily found in humans. However, it is also associated with a reduced risk of cancer and weight loss.

Importance in dose

Perhaps the results of studies in mice can be extrapolated to humans. But this does not directly address the risks associated with isoleucine. But, in fact, this amino acid, present in large quantities in eggs, dairy products, soy proteins and some meats.must be consumed in certain doses.

There are many foods that are essential to life that, if taken in very high doses, can be very dangerous. Even water can be deadly if we drink too much. But woe to us if we didn’t drink anything. Therefore, we must be very careful not to demonize an amino acid without which we could not be alive.

Isoleucine performs many important functions in our body. This is a necessary block so that we can synthesize all the proteins we need. And we can only get it through diet. Excluding it from our diet would be a serious mistake.