Branched Chain Amino Acids: Meditating Malnutrition in Cancer Patients

Muscle building, faster recovery, optimal athletic performance are group of terms which are all associated with three amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are well-endowed and popularly known within the bodybuilder's circle. However, bought into another context, will these branched-chain amino acids be a potential alternative modality to the management of cancer? If so, how would it tackle this ever complex disease condition?

Cancer, a condition characterized by proliferation of abnormal cells, can cause malnutrition in a person, resulting to metabolic imbalances. According to the data provided by the National Cancer Institute, 20-40% of cancer patients die not from the disease itself but from malnutrition-related conditions, and an astonishing 80% of these patients develop some forms of malnutrition. Overall, if this condition is not promptly treated, it can lead to cachexia or wasting syndrome, a condition exemplified by drastic and progressive loss of weight, as well as fats and muscles in response to malignant growth. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) a group referring to the previously mentioned three amino acids with similar chemical structures of leucine, isoleucine and valine, shows a promising effect on a cancer patient's nutritional status.

BCAA enriched nutritional support in surgical and cancer patients, says research from the Department of Surgery of Pennsylvania State University. In cachexia, persistent metabolic break down occurs in our body tissues despite adequate nutritional intake. This unrelenting catabolic state that is not relieved by nutrition depletes protein stores in our muscles leading to muscle wasting, negative nitrogen balance and low immunity status. The findings from this scientific venture showed promising outcomes in patients affected with hepatocellular carcinoma, demonstrating improvement in metabolic parameters of the patients, as well as improvement in the quality of life upon supplementation of BCAA.

Amino acids are considered the building blocks of our body; because of it cell building and tissue repair are able to take place, not to mention that it also strengthen our body's own immune system. Similarly, BCAA stimulates muscle building through protein synthesis and by inhibiting muscle breakdown. A study conducted by the Department of Surgery in Kansai Medical University located in Japan looked upon the possibility of improving amino acid profiles lost from the skeletal muscles in cases of advanced cancer. The clinical trial involving 63 patients with markedly lower concentrations of plasma amino acids and who were expected to undergo gastric resection for gastric cancer in different stages, showed that upon sport supplementation of Total Parenteral Nutrition enriched with 31% BCAA, there was a marked improvement in muscle protein metabolism by preventing protein breakdown while at the same time promoting protein synthesis necessary for muscle rebuilding.

On the contrary, appetite suppression, a common occurrence in cancer patients, is brought by either the toxins released by the malignant cells or as a result of the treatment itself, and most often than not, this lack of desire for food aggravates the condition. A double-blind study investigated the possible benefits BCAA may have on 28 cancer subjects who lost their appetite. In contrast to the placebo group, those participants who were supplemented with these amino acids showed an improvement in appetite by 55%.

In addition to improving metabolic status in cancer-inflicted patients by acting as a nutritional support, BCAA also showed a promise of preventing liver cancer development in obese subjects suffering from cirrhosis. This noteworthy trial looked upon the influence of BCAA supplementation to halt excessive insulin production common among obese patients. It has been known that hyperinsulinemia causes impaired insulin function which in turn could accelerate cancer cell production.

Good nutrition is vital for cancer patients. In addition to the fact that well-nourished cancer patients may have better prognosis, a good nutritional plan is necessary to keep their body in good condition in preparation for bouts of treatment rounds. Supplementation of branched-chain amino acids may help these patients achieved a good nutritional status necessary to prevent malnutrition, body wasting syndrome as well as achieved a good quality of life.