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What Are the Benefits of Leucine?

Leucine (L-Leucine) is one of the eight essential amino acids in the human body. Leucine cannot be produced in the body but must be acquired through the food you eat. Leucine has many valuable benefits for athletes and bodybuilders, diabetes sufferers and those interested in weight loss.

  1. Regulates Blood Sugar

    • Vitaminstuff.com indicates that leucine helps regulate blood sugar levels because the body can easily break down leucine and convert it to glucose. Leucine can be particularly helpful for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

    Prevents Muscle Breakdown

    • Leucine helps prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue after rigorous exercise or trauma and encourages the growth of new muscle, which is particularly helpful for athletes and body builders.

    Heals Bones and Skin

    • Leucine's powerful protein-building capabilities are helpful in healing bones and skin after trauma by encouraging new cell growth. According to BodyBuilding.com, leucine supplementation is often recommended as part of healing after surgery.

    Increases Energy

    • Leucine helps the body run more efficiently, thus enabling the body to preserve energy. Leucine provides increased power during strenuous workouts and can be helpful in the body's daily functioning, according to Vitaminstuff.com.

    Weight Loss

    • Amino acids such as leucine can promote weight loss by helping to increase the metabolic rate during exercise, according to BodyBuilding.com. It can help burn visceral fat, which is the deepest layer of fat in the body and often unresponsive to diet and exercise.

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