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Consumption of branched-chain amino acids is inversely associated with central obesity and cardiometabolic features in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men: Potential role of leucine intake

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To assess the potential associations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption with central obesity (CObesity) and cardiometabolic risk factors in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men. Special attention was given to leucine intake.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.

Participants

Two-hundred ninety-six middle-aged men (Age: 50.5 ± 5.0 years; Body mass index: 25.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2).

Measurements

Anthropometry, lifestyle features, blood biochemical parameters were assessed and dietary intake was estimated by a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified by the occurrence of CObesity, hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (HWP) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Results

Subjects in the BCAA highest tertile (≥0.17 g/kg/d) presented lower occurrence of CObesity (36.0% vs 72.4%, P<0.01, z=−5.10), HTG (17.0% vs 30.6% P<0.032, z=−2.32), HWP (23.0% vs 46.9%, P<0.01, z=−3.57) and MetS (19.0% vs 34.7%, P<0.01, z=−2.57). They also exhibited lower values for Castelli index (total cholesterol:HDL-c) and triglycerides: HDL-c ratio than those in the first tertile, regardless of interfering factors (i.e. habitual physical activity, work position, smoking habit, and energy intake). Interestingly, leucine consumption showed similar associations with cardiometabolic risk factors, as compared to BCAA consumption (P<0.05).

Conclusion

BCAA consumption was cross-sectionally and negatively associated with relevant cardiometabolic risk factors in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men. The content of leucine in BCAA consumption may have contributed to such relationship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil

    P. G. Cocate & A. J. Natali

  2. Department of Nutrition and Health, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil

    A. de Oliveira, R. C. Alfenas & H. H. M. Hermsdorff

  3. Department of Nutrition and Health, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenue PH Rolfs, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36 570-900, Brazil

    H. H. M. Hermsdorff

Authors
  1. P. G. Cocate
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  2. A. J. Natali
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  3. A. de Oliveira
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  4. R. C. Alfenas
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  5. H. H. M. Hermsdorff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. H. M. Hermsdorff.

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Cocate, P.G., Natali, A.J., de Oliveira, A. et al. Consumption of branched-chain amino acids is inversely associated with central obesity and cardiometabolic features in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men: Potential role of leucine intake. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 771–777 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0521-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0521-0

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