BCAA for protein supplimentation

[scratchinghead]

I use BCAAs because they bypass the liver and are heavily involved in Muscle Protein Synthesis.

However, there is additional information about BCAAs and how they might stave off Cirrhosis. this paper is by the people that sell BCAAs.

http://www.ajiaminoacids.com/docs/research/Branch_Chain_Amino_Acids_Reduce_Liver_Cancer.pdf

[Dee1956]

I miss you Eureka, I hope you are well, much love, Dee

[Dee1956]

This is an old post. I am interested in the places that Eureka has listed as well.  I thought others might be interested to hear what she and Hector had to say on this post.
I am trying branch chain amino acids to help me with muscle wasting.  While I have not found the perfect protein yet. I am interested in all of this.
I hope this helps someone else

[eureka254]

Research on BCAA is still 'not conclusive' but some good info here too:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/529582_6

http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007%2806%2900393-5/abstract

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/1/295S.full

http://www.spandidos-publications.com/mmr/2/6/983

[Ajw78757]

I think its related- as exercise and nutrition are a big part of my hep c treatment.

[scratchinghead]

Well, I"m pretty sure that BCAAs bypass the liver and go right to the muscle. Leucine is the big one. So. ... . maybe I make a lot of logical jumps . . . maybe. . . but maybe this Hep C thing is too new too rule out anything. . . .if you are going to do resistance training and want to maintain or build muscle, one *might* lean more towards the BCAAs (or food like lentils that has more) than lean towards protein powders and sources of protein that cause the liver to create ammonia. I mean well, lodged in here amongst the knee jerks.

[eureka254]

Dangerous to combine fire-starting and the big screen... something about it being a federal offense you know ;).

Some pretty decent research lit available in reputable journals, too -- at least medicine and science is starting to seriously think about a nutrition protocol for cirrhotics, which has been a long time coming.  

[scratchinghead]

good, started a fire. warms me up.
Wait till you see my next one. heh
.
And if you think I'm outside the "probable" realm, then trash all your Hepatitis Researcher posts (I think that is the doctor's name).

[OdinLovesLife]

Thanks for the additional information and your other posts Eureka. That's a really interesting article.

[eureka254]

I should add, branched-chain amino acids occur naturally, are best accessed by food; because supplements are not regulated, purity and quality is always a concern, especially for those with already compromised liver function.  

[eureka254]

There seems to be more and more evidence coming forth that BCAA supplementation can help some patients with cirrhosis; I think scratch used poor phrasing, as it has not been demonstrated to 'stave off' cirrhosis, but there appear to be some benefits for those suffering from symptoms.  Maybe it wasn't the best choice of literature to give the idea credibility, but BCAAs do appear to be gaining some merit in management of cirrhosis.  

An easy (and reliable) link for those interested:
http://www.clinicalcorrelations.org/?p=3544

[evangelin]

I don't wish to get into  an ongoing debate as I have other things keeping me busy these days but I just want to say that anyone who is interested in what BCAA's may or may not do, can go to  the Pub Med  website and search BCAA +cirrhosis.  There is quite a bit  there.
BCAA is not a product promotion.  It is a generic term. Branch chain amino acids are in whey protein shakes and the health food stores have a wide variety of brands. Some list how much of each BCAA that is supposed to be in the product others don't but from what I understand, if it says "whey protein isolate" the BCAA's are automatically a part of that. I am repeating that from a product specialist at an online vitamin store so I don't know first hand if that is absolutely correct.
  As part of our plan to increase my husbands protein, he has included a whey protein shake.  He also just ate more chicken, fish, cheese etc.  No way to know what all helped but his outward signs of muscle wasting ceased and some muscle returned.  He was also taking other supplements which likely contributed to the improvements.  His albumin went up too.  He was about 5 years in to a diagnosis of cirrhosis and it wasn't too late for him to see some improvements. I don't think it was any one thing we did but a number of things working together.
There is no harm in asking your Dr. what they think about  a whey protein isolate shake containing BCAA's.  I originally spoke to a nurse practitioner that thought it was a good idea.
Ev

[nygirl7]

I don't believe it's right to prop any product on this forum because quite honestly none of us are qualified to really discuss the pro and con of things like this.  Well maybe Hector is obviously but with all the people who potentialy read something like this and go for it without reading the thread and Hector's post well.........

It's not like we're talking about using Gold Bond or Aveeno on a rash - who knows what consequences there could be to adding things without the doctors recommendation of such.

That's all, what if it somehow added to your low hemo wouldn't that just stink when you were thinking it would be good for you? you know what i mean.

[working dog]

scratchins into being healthy...i'll bet hes taken pretty good care of himself over the years...thats what he's into...i think the us needs way more folks working on being healthy...eating right exercising right...so when someone spends the time to research trying to keep a liver healthy..whats wrong with that? its not just promoting a product...did you ever drink..smoke...or do anything that may have not been healthy? i know your very good at understanding hep c...and i do have respect for you....but what could be wrong with trying to help folks keep healthy...especially liver health...billy

[nygirl7]

I agree with Hector, it gets tiring people promoting things that do nothing except waste a sick persons money and claim to do big magic things.

Every so often a new one pops up and is dismissed aka colloidal silver amongst other ridiculous things.

[OdinLovesLife]

Wow Hector. I think scratchinghead posted that because muscle wasting can be a problem for HCV sufferers and BCAAs might be helpful.

You are certainly right about Ajinomoto's pedigree though. They used to promote MSG as a health food in Japan. I met quite a few oldedr Japanese people who absolutely believed that when I lived there.

[HectorSF]

This forum is for people to discuss hepatitis C, its diagnosis, treatment and cure  and the affects of this illness on people's daily lives.

If you want to discuss amino acids, building muscle, exercise, weight lifting or their poultry & swine feed. I would suggest you use an appropriate forum to do so.

You misrepresented a study as something to do with "stave off Cirrhosis" which it didn't and then posted an advertisement for Japan's largest manufacturer and marketer of processed food (including MSG which they say is good for you), seasonings, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and animal nutrition (animal feed). I don't think they need the exposure.

I think this forum has enough ads as it is without people posting their favorite company products that have nothing to do with hepatitis C.

Hector

[OdinLovesLife]

That's what I was interested in - that they bypass the liver when building muscle.

I did try them years ago s they are recommended for recovery after strenuous exercise. I didn't really notice any benefit - but I am not so sure I had the best quality product at the time. A lot less fit now so I might try them again after a bit more investigation to see if they are right for me and which products are best.

[scratchinghead]

I use BCAAs because they are alleged to bypass the liver when building muscle.

[scratchinghead]

Just wanted to start a fire. Warms thing. You are correct about the study. But I don't feel any regrets posting it.

[HectorSF]

If you read the article it says nothing about "stave off Cirrhosis". The study referenced in the article is about "622 Japanese patients with decompensated cirrhosis". They already have advanced cirrhosis otherwise known as End-Stage Liver Disease. The study's very name states what is about  "Overweight and obesity increase the risk for liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis and long-term oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acid granules inhibits liver carcinogenesis in heavier patients with liver cirrhosis".

The study only applied to decompensated patients with low albumin and that were over weight (BMI >25). There is no data as far as the claims of future use for cirrhotic patients over the past 5 years since this study was done at least in the U.S which has a very different population and diet then the one in this study.

It would be appreciated if you studied the actual report results before posting your personal opinion of what the study actually says. There is already too much "opinion" being posted with no data to support it on this forum.

Thank you.
Hector

[OdinLovesLife]

Interesting. I have seen similar information about BCAAs. Have you tried various different products? What exactly is in the ones you take? e.g. L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, other synergistic substances?