Amino Acids - Leucine

Leucine is readily available in good concentration in animal protein foods (poultry and red meats) and dairy products; wheat germ and oats also contain leucine. It is essential for growth, as it stimulates protein synthesis in muscle.

Leucine may help stabilize or lower blood sugar, it can be metabolized to produce energy, as can isoleucine and valine, the other branched chain amino acids during periods of fasting or starvation. A deficiency of leucine can cause a biochemical malfuncition producing hypoglycaemia in infants. Leucine is also helpful in healing wounds of the skin and bones.