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Leuicine

Meaning

Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid, meaning it must be acquired through the diet, that plays a dual and vital role in both protein synthesis and metabolic signaling within the body. Beyond its function as a building block for structural and functional proteins, leucine is a powerful nutrient sensor that directly activates the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin, or mTOR, signaling pathway. This dual capability makes it crucial for stimulating muscle protein anabolism, maintaining muscle mass, and influencing glucose homeostasis.