Increased body fat in humans is closely associated with obesity and diabetes. In swine production, increased body fat is inversely proportional to production efficiency and meat quality. Therefore, a better understanding of fat development is important for both humans and animals. Branched-chain amino acids containing leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), and valine (Val), can act directly on adipocytes to affect fat metabolism, favoring fat reduction. Researchers from the China Agricultural University and the CAS Institute of Subtropical Agriculture (ISA) identified that the optimal ratio of dietary branched-chain amino acids. Dietary supplementation with this ratio reduced the weight of total fat mass, increased adiponectin concentration, and modulated adipose tissue functions including fatty acid synthesis, transport, and oxidation, as well as lipolysis.

CAS news release, February 13, 2018