Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation (0.45 g/kg or 12g/day) can improve ammonia metabolism and nitrogen balance in cirrhosis patients, though single doses may transiently raise blood ammonia.
BCAA supplementation (12g/day) is a viable long-term strategy to lower ammonia levels in cirrhosis. Single doses may spike ammonia, so long-term use is preferred.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
BCAA supplementation (0.45 g/kg body weight; 45.5% leucine, 30% isoleucine, and 24.5% valine) as a single dose enhanced BCAAs uptake, glutamine production and ammonia metabolism in muscle of patients with cirrhosis... long-term therapeutic trials reported reduction in blood ammonia levels following BCAA supplementation (12 g/day for 2 years).
Why this rating
Based on specific studies cited, but noted as requiring further prospective trials.
Source
Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: from pathogenesis to interventions
Maryam Ebadi et al. · Journal of Gastroenterology · 2019
narrative_reviewCited 291×
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