Evidence supporting the use of: Isoleucine
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Isoleucine is one of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), along with leucine and valine, commonly used as dietary supplements among athletes and individuals engaged in intense physical activity. The rationale for using isoleucine, either alone or as part of BCAA mixtures, is based on its role in muscle metabolism, energy production, and recovery after exercise. Research indicates that BCAAs can help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, perceived muscle soreness, and central fatigue, although much of this effect appears to be due primarily to leucine, with isoleucine and valine playing supporting roles. Some studies suggest that isoleucine may help increase glucose uptake into muscle cells and contribute to energy production during prolonged exercise, but the evidence is not robust or specific to isoleucine alone.
Overall, most of the scientific support comes from studies on BCAA mixtures, which show modest benefits for muscle recovery and reduced fatigue, but the effects are generally small and may not be clinically significant for all athletes. Evidence specifically supporting isoleucine as a standalone supplement for athletic performance or recovery is limited. Therefore, while there is a scientific rationale and some evidence supporting the use of BCAAs (including isoleucine) as exercise aids, the direct evidence for isoleucine alone remains weak, justifying a modest rating of 2 out of 5 for the strength of evidence.
Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
7-Keto-DHEAAcetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
Muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
Rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
Tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
Yerba mate
Algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
antler
arginine creatine
Arginine nitrate
arachidonic acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
bicarbonate
Beef Protein
bovine protein
Bulbine natalensis
ba ji tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
coconut
casein
cardarine
capsinoids
citrate malate
capsiate
creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
dihydrocapsiate
deer velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
eurycomanone
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
ecdysteroids
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Guaranine
Glycerol
Higenamine
hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
isomaltulose
Isoleucine
kola nut
ketone salts
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
macamides
maral root
Mineral ascorbate
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Methylliberine
Mate
Mushroom
macaenes
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Piper nigrum
Palatinose
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
ribose
robusta coffee
Synephrine
Safed musli
salt
Sida cordifolia
Theobromine
Trichilia catigua
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Tribulus Terrestris
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
Xanthine
Yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Isoleucine
Athletic and Exercise AidsBody Building
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Wasting