BCAAs
Also known as: Branched-chain amino acids, Leucine Isoleucine Valine, BCAA blend
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk.
Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine) are essential amino acids widely used for muscle protein synthesis and sports recovery. They are safe at standard supplemental doses (5–20 g/day). Individuals with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) must strictly avoid all BCAAs. Very high doses may transiently affect blood glucose and insulin sensitivity. Contamination with stimulants in some sports products is an industry quality concern; choose third-party tested brands.
Biological and Chemical Classification
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Amino Acids
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for BCAAs indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 ივნ 2026, 12:04
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLeucyl-tRNA Synthetase as a Molecular Target of Isobutanol-Mediated Growth Inhibition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ↗Hasegawa M et al.. Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase as a Molecular Target of Isobutanol-Mediated Growth Inhibition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.. J Biol Chem. 2026. PMID:42248460.PMID 42248460 ↗Journal J Biol ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42248460/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInsights from NMR - based metabolomics elucidates key metabolic dysregulation in pancreatitis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: A step towards precision medicine. ↗Marwari D et al.. Insights from NMR - based metabolomics elucidates key metabolic dysregulation in pancreatitis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: A step towards precision medicine.. Biophys Chem. 2026. PMID:42235145.PMID 42235145 ↗Journal Biophys ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42235145/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSerum metabolomic signatures predict clinical outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy. ↗May P et al.. Serum metabolomic signatures predict clinical outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with pembrolizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy.. Front Immunol. 2026. PMID:42233027.PMID 42233027 ↗Journal Front ImmunolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42233027/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFrom gut microbiota metabolism to microvascular injury: Exploring the role and mechanisms of gut microbiota in obesity-induced coronary microcirculation dysfunction. ↗Liu Y et al.. From gut microbiota metabolism to microvascular injury: Exploring the role and mechanisms of gut microbiota in obesity-induced coronary microcirculation dysfunction.. Virulence. 2026. PMID:42228778.PMID 42228778 ↗Journal VirulenceYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42228778/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPotential Treatment for ADHD Based on Recovery from Tryptophan-Induced Central Fatigue by Powerful Competitive Inhibition of L-System Amino Acid Transporter. ↗Yamamoto T et al.. Potential Treatment for ADHD Based on Recovery from Tryptophan-Induced Central Fatigue by Powerful Competitive Inhibition of L-System Amino Acid Transporter.. Int J Tryptophan Res. 2026. PMID:42220619.PMID 42220619 ↗Journal Int J Tryptophan ResYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42220619/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWImpaired Lung BCAA Metabolism Promotes Ferroptosis and Resultant Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Associated Hepatopathy. ↗Blake MJ et al.. Impaired Lung BCAA Metabolism Promotes Ferroptosis and Resultant Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Associated Hepatopathy.. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2026. PMID:42214135.PMID 42214135 ↗Journal JACC Basic Transl SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42214135/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMultimechanistic actions of functional factors in enhancing physical strength and endurance: a scoping review of nutritional basis and natural extracts. ↗Huang X et al.. Multimechanistic actions of functional factors in enhancing physical strength and endurance: a scoping review of nutritional basis and natural extracts.. Front Sports Act Living. 2026. PMID:42211549.PMID 42211549 ↗Journal Front Sports Act LivingYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42211549/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWLeucine Promotes Mouse Primordial Follicle Activation Via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. ↗Huang Y et al.. Leucine Promotes Mouse Primordial Follicle Activation Via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.. Mol Reprod Dev. 2026. PMID:42200771.PMID 42200771 ↗Journal Mol Reprod DevYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42200771/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDietary Branched-Chain Amino Acid Intake Is Associated with Muscle Mass and Handgrip Strength: Evidence from China-Health and Nutrition Survey 2015-2024. ↗Xu Z et al.. Dietary Branched-Chain Amino Acid Intake Is Associated with Muscle Mass and Handgrip Strength: Evidence from China-Health and Nutrition Survey 2015-2024.. Nutrients. 2026. PMID:42197006.PMID 42197006 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42197006/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBlood Focused-Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Uncover Non-Linear Risk Association of Inadequate Dietary Choline Intake-Linked Metabolic Stress with MASLD Through Amino Acid Biomarkers, BCAA… ↗Wu CH et al.. Blood Focused-Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Uncover Non-Linear Risk Association of Inadequate Dietary Choline Intake-Linked Metabolic Stress with MASLD Through Amino Acid Biomarkers, BCAA and MTORC 1/AKT1/IRS1 Mechanistic Mediators: A Nested Case-Control Study.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID:42196170.PMID 42196170 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42196170/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for BCAAs. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for BCAAs
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.