TLDR: diet with a high ratio of BCAA:non-BCAA leads to obesity and reduced lifespan in mice. This effect can be reversed with caloric restriction.
Interesting, given BCAA supplementation is fairly common in high-performing athletes. I suppose the usual caveats apply though - humans aren't mice, the metabolism of high-performing athletes isn't the same as sedentary office workers, and performance isn't necessarily consistent with longevity.
..and high performance athletic achievements are typically beyond the bellcurve of health over activity.
i.e. if you draw health as a function of activity/performance, it forms a bellcurve of some sort, and high performance athletes sacrifice their long-term health in order to perform at a higher level than most people are able to. (Marathons lead to ruined knees, heavy lifting lead to explosive increases in blood pressure, throwing arms come with wear and tear on elbows and shoulders, etc. )
So BCAA supplementation being another trade-off would not necessarily be a deterrent in that respect.
3 comments
[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 12.8 ms ] threadInteresting, given BCAA supplementation is fairly common in high-performing athletes. I suppose the usual caveats apply though - humans aren't mice, the metabolism of high-performing athletes isn't the same as sedentary office workers, and performance isn't necessarily consistent with longevity.
i.e. if you draw health as a function of activity/performance, it forms a bellcurve of some sort, and high performance athletes sacrifice their long-term health in order to perform at a higher level than most people are able to. (Marathons lead to ruined knees, heavy lifting lead to explosive increases in blood pressure, throwing arms come with wear and tear on elbows and shoulders, etc. ) So BCAA supplementation being another trade-off would not necessarily be a deterrent in that respect.