| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Protein Synthesis Valine contributes to muscle protein synthesis as one of three BCAAs, but a 2017 critical review (Wolfe) argued that BCAAs alone cannot promote muscle protein synthesis in humans due to the requirement for all essential amino acids. Isolated valine has not been shown to independently stimulate muscle protein synthesis in human trials. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 5 studies | |||
Studies that measured muscle protein synthesis
| ||||||
Supplement
Valine is an essential amino acid, so the body must get it from food, and it helps build muscle protein. Most interest centers on muscle, and a small human study found that a mix of branched-chain amino acids including valine slowed protein loss during bed rest. Still, the evidence is very limited, and the benefit was credited to the mixture, not valine alone.
Sources: PMID 10467608; PMID 31963899
- Updated
- How we grade
- 17 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 5
- Outcomes
- 7
- Graded outcomes
- 0007
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin Sensitivity (Observational Association) Multiple reviews and observational studies report that elevated circulating BCAAs, including valine, are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk. A 2020 pilot dietary intervention reducing circulatory BCAAs by 50% showed potential metabolic relevance. However, causality is not established and these are associational findings rather than interventional evidence for isolated valine. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured insulin sensitivity (observational association)
| ||||||
| Hepatic Encephalopathy Symptoms A review in Hepatology (2011) described BCAAs as pharmacological nutrients in chronic liver disease, with potential benefits for hepatic encephalopathy and liver function. Valine's role is as part of the BCAA mixture used therapeutically; isolated valine effects have not been established in human trials. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured hepatic encephalopathy symptoms | ||||||
Cachexia
- Muscle Wasting Prevention: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Wasting Prevention A human study found that BCAA supplementation (including valine) attenuated protein wasting associated with bed rest. However, the effect is attributed to the BCAA mixture rather than isolated valine, and the specific contribution of valine versus leucine remains unclear. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 5 studies | 60 people | ||
Studies that measured muscle wasting prevention
| ||||||
Acute Kidney Injury
- Plasma BCAA Levels in Renal Insufficiency: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma BCAA Levels in Renal Insufficiency Studies in patients with chronic renal insufficiency show altered BCAA metabolism including valine. A randomized crossover study found BCAA-enriched dialysis fluid improved plasma BCAA concentrations. Keto acid-amino acid supplements influenced BCAA metabolism in CKD patients on low-protein diets. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 5 studies | 40 people | ||
Studies that measured plasma bcaa levels in renal insufficiency
| ||||||
Cardiovascular Health
- Endothelial Function (Potential Harm at High Doses): changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endothelial Function (Potential Harm at High Doses) In vitro and preclinical studies found that elevated BCAAs (including valine) promoted endothelial dysfunction through increased reactive oxygen species and inflammation. A 2020 study showed BCAA catabolism enhanced thrombosis risk via platelet propionylation. These are mechanistic findings; clinical relevance to supplemental valine in healthy individuals is unknown. | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured endothelial function (potential harm at high doses)
| ||||||
Autoimmune Health
- Immune Cell Modulation: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune Cell Modulation In vitro studies showed BCAAs influenced immune properties of microglial cells and their responsiveness to pro-inflammatory signals. A separate study found BCAAs improved mesenchymal stem cell proliferation while reducing NF-κB expression and modulating inflammatory properties. These are preclinical cell-culture findings with no human data for isolated valine. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured immune cell modulation
| ||||||
Key findings
- Insulin Sensitivity (Observational Association)Changes; see studies
- Muscle Protein SynthesisImproves (the measure goes up)
- Muscle Wasting PreventionChanges; see studies
Safety notes in the studies
- Multiple reviews and observational studies report that elevated circulating BCAAs, including valine, are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.
- A 2020 study showed BCAA catabolism enhanced thrombosis risk via platelet propionylation.
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- Grade D
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Studies cited
17 studies from PubMed
- Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Function by Amino Acids.
- Short-Term Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids-Enriched Dialysis Fluid on Branched-Chain Amino Acids Plasma Level and Mass Balance: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.
- Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism Promotes Thrombosis Risk by Enhancing Tropomodulin-3 Propionylation in Platelets.
- A Novel Dietary Intervention Reduces Circulatory Branched-Chain Amino Acids by 50%: A Pilot Study of Relevance for Obesity and Diabetes.
- Branched chain amino acids improve mesenchymal stem cell proliferation, reducing nuclear factor kappa B expression and modulating some inflammatory properties.
- Branched-chain amino acids promote endothelial dysfunction through increased reactive oxygen species generation and inflammation.
- Diabetes and branched-chain amino acids: What is the link?
- Branched-chain amino acids in health and disease: metabolism, alterations in blood plasma, and as supplements.
- Branched Chain Amino Acids: Beyond Nutrition Metabolism.
- Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Brain Metabolism.
- Insulin resistance and the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids.
- Branched-chain amino acids influence the immune properties of microglial cells and their responsiveness to pro-inflammatory signals.
- Branched-chain amino acids as pharmacological nutrients in chronic liver disease.
- Application of branched-chain amino acids in human pathological states: renal failure.
- Branched-chain amino acids: enzyme and substrate regulation.
- Effect of a keto acid-amino acid supplement on the metabolism and renal elimination of branched-chain amino acids in patients with chronic renal insufficiency on a low protein diet.
- Attenuation of the protein wasting associated with bed rest by branched-chain amino acids.