Leucine

Leucine

What's

Leucine

Leucine is one of the nine essential amino acids that our bodies can't make on their own, so we need to get it from the food we eat. It's mainly found in protein-rich foods like meat, dairy products, and beans. Leucine is super important for building new muscle tissue because it helps kickstart the process of muscle protein synthesis. That's why it's often called the 'main' amino acid, as it plays a big role in muscle growth and recovery. Plus, leucine helps keep our blood sugar levels in check by managing insulin in our bodies during and after exercise. Overall, it's a crucial part of staying healthy and strong.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated levels of Leucine might mean that you're consuming a lot of protein, possibly from foods like meat, dairy, and beans, or from supplements often used in sports and fitness. Some medications, especially those related to muscle growth and recovery, could also contribute to higher Leucine levels. In certain cases, it could indicate a metabolic issue affecting how your body processes amino acids. Additionally, high Leucine levels might be linked to conditions that cause your body to break down muscle tissue more quickly than usual.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Leucine may include fatigue, loss of coordination, and cognitive changes such as confusion or delirium.

If Your Levels are Low

Low levels of Leucine might mean that you're not getting enough of this essential amino acid from your diet, which could be due to not eating enough protein-rich foods like meat, dairy, and beans. It's also possible that your body isn't absorbing Leucine properly, which could be related to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease. Some medications, such as certain epilepsy treatments, can also affect your Leucine levels. If you don't have enough Leucine, it could make it harder for your muscles to grow and recover, and it might also affect how well your body manages blood sugar levels.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Leucine may include muscle weakness or fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and frequent episodes of low blood sugar.

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See References

Test for

Metabolomix+ by Genova Diagnostics

Urine

The Metabolomix+ combines a variety of tests to analyze key nutritional biomarkers, including organic acids, amino acids, and oxidative stress markers. This test cannot be ordered for patients under two years of age.

NutrEval® Plasma by Genova Diagnostics

Whole Blood

Urine

Serum

Plasma

The NutrEval® Plasma evaluates a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and other biomarkers to determine nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 2 years of age.

NutrEval® FMV by Genova Diagnostics

Whole Blood

Urine

Serum

The NutrEval® FMV evaluates a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and other biomarkers to determine nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. This test cannot be ordered for patients under two years of age.

Cellular Micronutrient Assay by Cell Science Systems

Whole Blood

The Cellular Micronutrient Assay measures the effect of micronutrients on a patient's immune function to identify nutrient insufficiencies. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 9 years of age.

Cellular Nutrition Assay by Cell Science Systems

Whole Blood

The Full Cellular Nutrition Assay combines the Cellular Micronutrient Assay and the Redox/Antioxidant Protection Assay to provide a personalized assessment of a patient's nutritional needs. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 16 years of age.

CONTENTS

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High Levels

Low Levels

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