Facts
Why valine is good for you
Valine is an essential amino acid and is required for muscle metabolism, repair and growth of tissue and maintaining the nitrogen balance in the body. Valine also assists to regulate blood sugar and energy levels.
Important valine facts
- Valine is part of the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA) – the other two are leucine and isoleucine
Valine works best with
Health
Valine and health
- Drug addiction – valine is good for correcting the type of severe amino acid deficiencies that can be caused by drug addiction.
Talk to a medical professional about valine supplements before taking them
Deficiency
Groups at risk of valine deficiency
Deficiency is rare, but can occur in the following individuals:
- People on low protein diets – people who are not eating enough protein foods may not get enough valine in their diet
- Vegans and vegetarians – people who are on a strict vegetarian diet may suffer from a valine deficiency if their diet is deficient in protein
- Drug addicts – may be deficient in all nutrients
People in these groups at risk of valine deficiency should talk to a medical professional about valine supplementation before taking it.
Symptoms of valine deficiency
A deficiency of valine may affect the myelin covering of the nerves.
Another effect of valine deficiency is Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). MSUD is caused by the inability to metabolise leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The disease is named because people with this disease have urine that smells like maple syrup.
Food sources
Valine in food
| FOOD | AMOUNT |
Valine
(mg) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuna, canned in oil
|
1 can (171g) |
2567
|
|
Snapper, cooked
|
1 fillet (170g) |
2303
|
|
Gruyere cheese
|
100g |
2243
|
|
Halibut, cooked
|
1/2 fillet (159g) |
2186
|
|
Romano cheese
|
100g |
2183
|
|
Chicken breast meat, roasted
|
1 cup (140g) |
2155
|
|
Swiss cheese
|
100g |
2139
|
|
Goat cheese, hard
|
100g |
2100
|
|
King mackerel, cooked
|
1/2 fillet (154g) |
2064
|
|
Lean veal leg
|
100g |
2029
|
|
Soybeans, dry roasted
|
100g |
1976
|
|
Lean veal sirloin, cooked
|
100g |
1877
|
|
Lean shoulder lamb, cooked
|
100g |
1842
|
|
Edam cheese
|
100g |
1810
|
|
Lean round beef, cooked
|
100g |
1792
|
|
Lean veal shank, cooked
|
100g |
1778
|
|
Lean pork loin chops, cooked
|
100g |
1689
|
|
Turkey leg meat, roasted
|
1 cup |
1550
|
Daily intake
Valine recommended daily intake (RDI)
| RDA | 92mg/kg body weight (infants) 25mg/kg body weight (children) 14mg/kg body weight (adults) |
|---|---|
| TOLERABLE UPPER LIMIT | 500-1000mg |
| TOXIC LEVELS | No information available |
Toxicity
Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for valine
Very high levels of valine can cause symptoms such as:
- a crawling sensation on the skin
- hallucinations.
Precautions
Precautions
People with kidney or liver disease should be careful in consuming high intakes of amino acids without consulting their doctor.
Interactions
Interactions
References
References
- Osiecki H, Meeke F, Smith J, The Encyclopaedia of Clinical Nutrition – Volume 1: The Nervous System, BioConceps Publishing QLD 2004
Last reviewed and updated: 8 May 2024