Feed and feed additives. The benefits and importance of the aliphatic amino acid valine for the human body Valine vitamin

Valin refers to one of the few amino acids that our body does not reproduce. This substance should enter the body only from the outside, along with food. This substance will be discussed in the article.

Its scientific name is 2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid, or aliphatic α-amino acid, one of 20 proteinogenic amino acids, is part of almost all known ones.

Chemical formula: C5H11NO2

Did you know? The human body contains 5 million proteins: all of them are formed by only 22 types of amino acids.

This is one of the essential amino acids. It promotes the absorption and assimilation of other amino acids, participates in the synthesis of proteins, in particular, determines their structure. It is also a basis for synthesis.

But still, its main role is to support the health and tone of a person’s muscles and his immune system. The liver, if necessary, converts this amino acid into glucose and sends it to the muscles.

It is important for human mental health and liver health; it takes part in the removal of toxic substances from the body.
As a preventive measure, it is used against brain damage and to treat liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis).

Main functions and benefits

Valine is a truly essential amino acid: without it, the human body has a very hard time.

In the first years of life, a child becomes vulnerable to disease, especially when the mother's antibodies no longer protect him. This is where proper valine intake becomes extremely important. After all, it is he who forms and supports the baby’s immune system.

A growing body requires this amino acid to build and strengthen muscles.

Its role also increases during active mental stress, which children experience during school. Also used to support mental health.

For adults

But valine is needed not only for the development of children. Adults should also monitor their intake of this substance. After all, it has the following properties:

• increasing endurance and resistance to extreme situations;
• helps with muscle growth and development;
• does not allow the level of serotonin (the hormone of joy) to decrease;
• removes excess nitrogen from the body;
• helps with liver and kidney diseases. Used in the treatment of addictions (alcohol, drugs);
• increases the feeling of fullness and is used during diets and in the treatment of obesity.
• strengthens the immune system.

We can only get it with food. Therefore, it is important to determine where it is found in sufficient quantities.

Dairy products - cheeses - are literally saturated with this amino acid. Even small amounts of these foods can provide you with your daily requirement of valine.
There is a lot of it in eggs, meat, and fish. It is especially worth paying attention to quail eggs - the digestibility of this substance in them is very high.

Among plant products, legumes (beans, peas), sunflower seeds, pine nuts and hazelnuts are rich in it.

Daily requirement and norm

A healthy person needs 2-4 grams of this amino acid per day. But this is the general average value. More accurately, your norm can be calculated based on 10 mg of valine per 1 kg of human weight.

Important! In case of liver and kidney dysfunction, only a doctor selects the rate of valine consumption. It is extremely dangerous to engage in such an appointment on your own.

About excess and deficiency

As you can see, this substance is useful and necessary. Its deficiency is quite dangerous. But it is also undesirable to allow excess.

Excess

In case of an overdose, problems with the nervous system begin, chills, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and hallucinations appear. Disturbances occur in the digestive system, blood flow becomes complicated, and liver and kidney dysfunctions appear.

With a deficiency, degenerative changes begin in the body:

• immunity is weakened;
• memory deteriorates, sleep is disturbed;
• the level of serotonin decreases, as a result, mental disorders and despondency appear;
• dermatitis and other skin rashes.

Did you know? The name of the amino acid “valine” comes from the valerian plant.

Most often, deficiency occurs during diets, especially protein diets. In this case, you should carefully select the composition of foods for your diet.

Interaction with other substances

This amino acid reacts actively to proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and interacts well with “long” carbohydrates (cereals, vegetables, wholemeal bread, crispbread, muesli). It also combines well with its “colleagues” - amino acids of the protein group.

One of the functions of valine is to help grow and strengthen muscles and reduce cortisol levels.
Therefore, it is included in the diet of bodybuilders and other athletes as part of protein shakes.

So, valine is an important component of our body. It helps in strengthening muscles, relieves stress, and is useful for athletes and workaholics. It is found in many products, and getting the required amount is not difficult.

Valine belongs to the group of amino acids with a branched molecular structure. These substances make up approximately 70 percent of all proteins in the human body.

However, this amino acid is not produced by the body, so it must be supplied with food or dietary supplements.

general characteristics

In 1901, the German chemist Emil Fischer first isolated valine from casein by hydrolysis of proteins. This amino acid gets its name from valerian. Today this substance is known as an essential amino acid, which stimulates the activity of the body, contributes to the formation and maintenance of its structural and functional integrity.

Valine is an aliphatic amino acid with a non-polar character. It is closely related to leucine and isoleucine, with which it has a number of common properties. These hydrophobic substances rarely take part in biochemical reactions, but play a critical role in determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins. In addition, valine promotes the absorption of other amino acids.

Valine (L and D isomers) is also known as a glucogenic amino acid. That is, if necessary, the liver is able to transform this substance into glucose, which the muscles then use as an additional source of energy. In addition, it serves as the starting material for the synthesis of penicillin.

Role in the body

Valine is an important substance for maintaining body functions, particularly muscle health and the immune system.

Prevents muscle damage and supplies tissues with additional glucose necessary for energy production during physical activity. In combination with isoleucine and leucine, it promotes normal growth, tissue repair, regulates blood sugar levels, and also provides the body with energy.

This essential amino acid is significant for the central and autonomic nervous system, important for the adequate functioning of cognitive functions, and necessary for the proper functioning of the psyche. In addition, it is a substance that inhibits the transport of tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier.

Valine is important for liver function. In particular, it removes potentially toxic excess nitrogen from the organ. It also helps in the treatment of the gallbladder, liver (with cirrhosis, hepatitis C) and other organs damaged as a result of alcoholism or drug addiction. It is an effective preventative against encephalopathy or brain damage caused by excessive drinking. Has antiviral properties. It is a precursor to penicillin.

Functions and Benefits of Valine

Valine has many benefits. This amino acid is a real salvation for people suffering from insomnia and nervousness. Also proven effective in healing muscles and regulating the immune system. And those who want to lose weight take this substance as a remedy for excessive appetite.

Other properties of valine:

1. An essential amino acid with a stimulating effect, necessary for muscle metabolism, growth, tissue repair and proper coordination.
2. Being a glucoamino acid, it provides the body with additional glucose.
3. Useful for treating the liver and gall bladder.
4. Helps correct the balance of amino acids in the body (for example, in case of drug addiction).
5. Promotes mental activity, maintains a calm mood, relieves depression.
6. Important for regulating nitrogen concentration in the body.
7. Before entering the bloodstream, it is not processed by the liver.
8. It is found in high concentrations in muscle tissue.
9. Any acute physical stress, as well as surgical interventions, are the reason for increasing the daily intake of valine, leucine, and isoleucine.
10. Facilitates recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
11. Improves the condition of multiple sclerosis.
12. Necessary for people with increased sensitivity to temperature changes.

Valine for bodybuilders

But perhaps the people who experience the most benefits from valine are athletes, particularly bodybuilders. For athletes, this amino acid is important as a substance for restoring muscle tissue, accelerating metabolism and increasing endurance. Bodybuilders use valine along with leucine, which promotes faster muscle growth and provides additional energy. In addition, the amino acid helps easy recovery from injuries or overexertion.

Daily requirement

The waste requirement for valine is approximately 2-4 g.

A more accurate individual dosage can be calculated using the formula: 10 mg of amino acid per 1 kg of weight (or 26 mg of the substance per 1 kg - when it is necessary to increase the dose).

However, individuals with liver or kidney dysfunction should not use valine in supplement form without consulting a doctor. High doses of amino acids can aggravate the course of diseases. People with gastrointestinal diseases and sickle cell anemia should also reduce the intensity of valine consumption. But diabetes, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and insufficient production of enzymes, on the contrary, impair the body’s absorption of amino acids.

Amino acid deficiency

Although valine is easily replenished from food, there are known cases of amino acid deficiency. The lack of this substance affects the quality of myelin (the sheath of nerve cells), and also causes degenerative neurological diseases. Deficiency manifests itself in the form of the so-called “maple syrup” disease (occurs in people whose bodies are unable to absorb leucine, isoleucine and valine). The unusual name of the disease is explained very simply: in such patients, the urine takes on the smell of maple syrup.

In addition, an experiment on rats showed that with a lack of valine, lipid formations appear in the liver tissue. Also, amino acid deficiency may be indicated by hair loss, weight loss, growth retardation, leukopenia or hypoalbuminemia (the level of albumin in the blood sharply decreases). Damage to the mucous membranes, arthritis, memory problems, depression, muscle atrophy, sleep disturbances, and weakened immunity are also possible.

People whose diet does not contain enough protein foods, as well as people who are professionally involved in sports, should take extra care in the form of dietary supplements to avoid valine deficiency.

Overdose: what is the danger

Consumption of valine in too high doses can lead to hallucinations and a sensation of "pins and needles". Also, regular overdoses cause liver and kidney dysfunction and increase the level of ammonia in the body. Minor overdoses of the substance cause allergic reactions, nervousness, digestive upset and blood thickening.

Food sources

Valine is an essential amino acid, which means there is an urgent need to replenish the supply of the substance through food.

The amino acid is found in high concentrations in foods:

• animal origin: meat (beef, lamb, pork, chicken), fish, squid, dairy products, various types of cheeses;
• plant origin: lentils, peanuts, soybeans, mushrooms, sesame and pumpkin seeds, greens, whole grains, beans, corn flour, peas, beans, seaweed.

Eating dairy products and eggs can easily get your daily dose of valine. The highest concentration of the substance is in cottage cheese, natural yogurt, cheeses (Swiss, processed, goat, edam), as well as in milk and eggs. Among the seeds and nuts, the most beneficial are pistachios, cashews, almonds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds. It is better to choose salmon, trout, halibut among the varieties of fish, and among protein-rich legumes, choose beans, lentils or chickpeas. Porcini mushrooms and cherries, as well as wild rice, millet, buckwheat and pearl barley are ideal for vegetarians. But still, perhaps the easiest to digest is valine from quail eggs and walnuts.

Interaction with other substances

Have you decided to take valine as a dietary supplement? Then it is important to know the rules for using and combining amino acids in order to get the maximum benefit.

First and most importantly, valine should always be taken in combination with two other amino acids - leucine and isoleucine. Ideal balance: 2 mg of leucine and valine for every milligram of isoleucine.

The second thing to remember is that on the way to the blood-brain barrier, valine competes with and. This means that the higher the level of valine in the body, the less tyrosine and tryptophan are found in brain cells. Given these amino acid “competitions,” it is necessary to take tyrosine and tryptophan no earlier than an hour before or after taking valine.

Third tip. This amino acid goes well with polyunsaturated fatty acids and “right” ones (cereals, muesli, wholemeal products).

And the fourth rule of combining useful substances. A valine deficiency makes it difficult for the body to absorb all the other amino acids needed by the body.

By following these tips, you don't have to worry about a possible valine deficiency.

Valine is one of three amino acids that are part of the branched chain amino acid group. Its brothers with a similar structural formula are leucine and isoleucine. These three amino acids are inseparable friends and should be consumed together, because together they perform their functions in the body.

Valine structural formula:

The carbon skeleton of valine is one carbon larger compared to alanine, but not one carbon sequence, but two, is attached to the second carbon atom (in the β-position), i.e. The amino acid appears to be bifurcated at one end, which is why it is called a branched-chain amino acid.

Branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) account for about 45% of the content of all essential amino acids in tissues. Branched amino acids prevent the breakdown of proteins to the same extent as the introduction of a full set of amino acids.

Valine is an essential proteinogenic amino acid. The body does not synthesize this compound, and it must come from outside through food. Once in the gastrointestinal tract, valine enters the liver. The liver lacks enzymes for the metabolism of branched chain amino acids, and it retains other amino acids for biochemical transformations, and this, incl. valine gives the green light to enter the general bloodstream, as a result, the amino acids of food protein are separated, and predominantly a mixture of branched chain amino acids is sent to the muscles, the same three friends - valine, leucine, isoleucine. It is there that they enter into amino group transfer reactions, providing the muscles with energy.

The formation of a pool of free branched chain amino acids in the liver depends on the content of taurine, which regulates the conversion of amino acids into glucose.

In muscles, branched-chain amino acids are included in muscle protein synthesis, forming a reserve from which they can be mobilized during exercise. During work, muscle protein breaks down, and branched amino acids enter a chain of biochemical transformations, the end product of which is glucose, which provides energy for work. It must be said that the intramuscular fund of free amino acids remains constant throughout the work, but after the load it increases, i.e. there is a certain inertia of the biochemical conveyor.

The need for valine is 3 - 4 g per day.

Functions

• Structural
• Energy
• Immunogenic
• Regulatory

Structural function

Valine is part of almost all proteins, giving them hydrophobic properties, i.e. The protein repels water from itself, hanging in the aquatic environment as an autonomous globule droplet. This amino acid is especially abundant in albumin, casein, and connective tissue proteins; it also accumulates in muscles.

Valine is a precursor to vitamin B3 (pantothenic acid).

It protects the myelin sheath, the insulator of nerve fibers.

Energy function

Valine is a glucogenic amino acid that is metabolized into succinyl-CoA and then included in the energy chain that results in the formation of glucose. Together with its branched brothers - leucine and isoleucine - it provides energy for muscle function, which is why bodybuilders love it. During exercise, branched chain amino acids, and valine in particular, are the main source of amine nitrogen in skeletal muscle. A significant part of them is released during the breakdown of muscle proteins, which requires an increase in the consumption of these amino acids with food. Taking commercial preparations of branched chain amino acids in these conditions is justified because it compensates for the stress breakdown of muscle proteins.

Immunogenic function

Valine provides energy for the production of immunocompetent cells. Converting into succinyl CoA, it enters the energy conveyor of the respiratory chain, yielding energy in the form of ATP molecules. This amino acid has the greatest effect on cellular immunity, as it is the most energy-intensive.

Regulatory function

Valine is involved in regulating the functioning of the pituitary gland: a gland in the brain that tunes the body’s hormonal orchestra. It stimulates the production of growth hormone, which supports protein synthesis as opposed to protein breakdown.

In alcoholism and drug addiction, characteristic imbalances of amino acids have been identified, incl. with a branched chain, among which valine plays an important role. In emotional disorders associated with addiction, brain cells require more energy, which they obtain by utilizing branched chain amino acids, particularly valine. The breakdown of proteins in areas of the brain that respond to the regulation of emotions and the general tone of the body is activated, which leads to disruption of the functional activity of these areas and an increase in the severity of depression and irritability.

Valine affects the production of the hormone of joy - serotonin, valine deficiency provokes depression, and, conversely, with the balance of amino acids, the mood improves, a person experiences a surge of vigor and an increase in overall vitality. Valine and tryptophan are competitors for transport when crossing the blood-brain barrier. Excess valine inhibits the accumulation of tryptophan in the brain and, in case of overdose, can lead to impaired brain function, including hallucinations.

In alcoholic encephalopathy (impaired brain function), due to poor liver function poisoned by alcohol, the concentration of aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, phenylalanine) in the blood increases and the number of branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) decreases. As a result of competition for transport that carries amino acids across the blood-brain barrier, the concentration of valine in the brain decreases and tryptophan increases. This does not lead to anything good, because the absence of branched amino acids deprives the brain of energy to produce neurotransmitters. An energy-deficient brain plunges into depression and begins to work through the roof, which is externally expressed in a weakening of mental parameters.

Valine reduces sensitivity to pain and improves adaptation to heat and cold. Being a glucogenic amino acid, it suppresses appetite and reduces sugar cravings through regulating blood sugar levels.

It is necessary to maintain normal nitrogen balance in the body.

Sources

The largest amount is found in eggs, cheese and other dairy products, meat, fish, especially salmon, and squid. From plant products, valine can be obtained in decent concentrations from nuts, especially walnuts, pistachios, red beans, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and seaweed.

During the cooking process, the content of valine in products changes: in meat, chicken, fish it becomes more when stewing or boiling than in a raw product or after frying. In eggs, on the contrary, when frying, the amount of valine increases compared to the raw or cooked product.

For good absorption of valine, the presence of other branched chain amino acids is necessary - leucine and isoleucine in the ratio valine: leucine: isoleucine = 1: 1: 2. In commercial preparations this balance is maintained.

Valine goes well with slow carbohydrates (cereals, wholemeal bread) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil).

So, only 200 g of Parmesan is enough, you will have to eat 5 eggs - a healthy scrambled egg, and drink almost 2 liters of milk. However, you can get by with 200 g of beef, 250 g of turkey or pork tenderloin. If you are a vegetarian, then you will have to eat a glass of peeled pumpkin seeds or eat 400 g of boiled soybeans (which is unlikely) or a kilogram of pea porridge (which is absolutely incredible), you will need half a kilo of walnuts, you can not count the rest of the products, because you cannot eat the required amount in human power. I’m not calling for anything, I’m just showing by example what the dangers of a vegetarian diet are.

Shortage

The lack of valine in the body can be either absolute, when there is insufficient supply of the amino acid from food, or relative, when the need for this amino acid increases due to physiological or pathological processes in the body.

With a vegetarian diet, it is very difficult to maintain protein balance: if you mindlessly lean on just vegetables and fruits, it is very easy to get problems associated with a lack of amino acids, primarily essential ones. Valine deficiency can also occur when it is insufficiently absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract due to diseases of the digestive system.

The need for valine increases due to the following conditions:

1. Sports training, especially those related to strength and endurance
2. Stress, both psychological and physiological: injuries, burns, previous surgeries, blood loss, etc.
3. Pathological addictions: addiction to alcohol, drugs, incl. nicotine, and just a craving for sweets and a desire to eat everything indiscriminately.
4. Diseases of the central nervous system: multiple sclerosis, depression
5. Acute infectious diseases: ARVI, pneumonia, etc.

Application

1. To improve training performance, especially in bodybuilding and weightlifting.
2. Treatment of depression, insomnia, migraine, restoration of a positive emotional background, in the complex treatment of multiple sclerosis
3. Treatment of pathological addictions: smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction
4. Control appetite, eliminate sugar cravings, control weight, increase metabolism to burn fat and build muscle mass
5. In the complex treatment of shock, burns, injuries, operations, excessive blood loss
6. Stimulation of immunity during the seasonal rise of colds

Excess

Consumption of valine in too high doses is not indifferent to the body, so you should not exceed the recommended daily dosage - more than 4 g. At best, an overdose manifests itself in paresthesia: a feeling of numbness in the limbs, crawling sensations, allergic reactions, dermatitis, indigestion, and increased anxiety are possible. Regular overdoses can lead to thickening of the blood, cause liver and kidney dysfunction, and increase ammonia levels in the body, which manifests itself in nausea and vomiting. With a strong excess of valine, chills, rapid heartbeat, fears, and even hallucinations occur.

Conclusion

Valine accelerates protein synthesis, helps build muscle mass, improves coordination of movements, and increases endurance. It improves brain function, increases efficiency, fights depression, and helps maintain a good mood. Helps overcome pathological addictions: reduces cravings for alcohol, drugs, sweets, removes the negative background when giving up addictive foods, suppresses excessive appetite. Promotes wound healing, restores elastin and collagen in the skin, which is important for skin diseases such as dermatitis or eczema. Strengthens T-cell immunity, which is important for viral and bacterial infections.

Valine is necessary to feel good and look beautiful.

L-valine as a product

L-valine is perfect for anyone with an active lifestyle. It is quickly absorbed and immediately delivered directly into muscle tissue, where it promotes healthy metabolism and rapid recovery. L-Valine is a fairly simple yet very effective nutritional supplement that will help you achieve your goals faster. This amino acid is useful not only for people who exercise regularly, but so does everything else, so it's worth considering including it in your diet. Since this amino acid is not produced by the body, it is very, very easy to become deficient. And L-valine helps the body not only cope with workouts, but also withstand the stress of the day, reduce stress and avoid fatigue. In small doses, L-valine is found in foods such as fish, nuts, sesame seeds, lentils, and cheese.

Time of receipt

If you want to realize the full potential of L-valine, take it together with L-leucine and L-isoleucine in a 2:2:1 ratio. All three of these amino acids form a single chain that works most effectively as a team. L-valine should be taken before, during or after training.

Harm and side effects

There are still no known cases of overdose with this drug, but still carefully read the instructions on the package and follow the recommendations.

Valine belongs to a number of amino acids that have a stimulating effect.

This amino acid is necessary for metabolic processes in muscles; its effectiveness has also been noted in tissue regeneration. Helps maintain proper nitrogen balance.

Valine is a branched type of amino acid that can serve as an energy source for muscle tissue. Exceeding the level of this amino acid can lead to goose bumps on the skin, as well as hallucinations, so oversaturation of the body with valine is undesirable.

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Chemical formula of valine

In chemical language, this is 2-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid, one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids found in any type of protein.

The name of the acid is given in honor of a plant with calming properties - valerian.

Valine formula: C5H11NO2.

Serves as a starting element in the synthesis of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and penicillin.

Amino acid properties

This acid plays a major role in the synthesis of all tissues of the human body. It also helps maintain serotonin levels, preventing them from decreasing.

Laboratory studies have proven the effective effect of valine on muscle coordination.

After use, pain sensitivity is significantly reduced, and the body's resistance to cold and heat increases.

Valine will help overcome certain types of addictions, cope well with depressive, depressing moods, forming protection for nerve fibers and endings.

Content in food

Valine is found in many animal products, such as raw beef and chicken. Raw salmon fillets are also rich in this amino acid.

Dairy products are a source of valine. Milk of any percentage of fat, as well as hard cheeses, are rich in this amino acid. Brown rice and chicken eggs are rich in valine.

Consuming foods saturated with this acid within reasonable limits will help overcome winter depression and apathy, and protect you from possible nervous breakdowns.