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Which amino acids have been associated with poorer health outcomes in people with obesity?

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Diagram illustrating metabolism with two sections: anabolic reaction on the left shows energy used to build larger molecules from smaller ones, while catabolic reaction on the right shows larger molecules breaking down into smaller molecules with energy released. — Metabolomics In anabolic reactions, a cell uses energy to combine small molecules into larger molecules. In catabolic reactions, molecules are broken down, and energy is released.

In the field of metabolomics, researchers have identified specific amino acid patterns in individuals with obesity that correlate with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, such as type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.1

The amino acids associated with poorer health outcomes when present in abnormally high levels include:

Aromatic amino acids1
Branched-chain amino acids: Specifically leucine, isoleucine, and valine1

These elevated levels may stem from factors such as excessive protein intake, genetic variations affecting catabolic enzymes, or alterations in gut microbial metabolism. Conversely, it is worth noting that levels of the amino acid glycine are typically reduced in individuals with obesity and diabetes, a decrease potentially linked to the body's increased need to produce antioxidants to combat oxidative stress.1