In August 2017, Hokkaido Medical University published a paper showing that the branched-chain amino acid BCAA promotes the development of polycystic kidney cysts, and the mTOR pathway is one of the important ways to regulate the development of polycystic kidney cysts in the body. Leucine in branched chain amino acids plays an activating role in the regulation of the mTOR pathway.
Last year, a study by Hokkaido Medical University found that leucine stimulates cell proliferation and activates mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways in cells, whether it is animal experiments or cell experiments. Therefore, branched-chain amino acids may be harmful to patients with polycystic kidney disease. In order to avoid excessive intake of leucine, we must first know which foods contain high levels of leucine
Foods rich in leucine are mainly animal protein meats, dairy products and some legumes. E.g:
Cheese: Every 10 grams of cheese contains 345 mg of leucine.
Edamame: Each 100 grams of edamame contains 3223 mg of leucine
Beef: 3165 mg of leucine per 100 grams of beef
Chicken: Each 100 grams of chicken contains 2652 mg of leucine
Pork: 2560 mg of leucine per 100 grams of edamame
Pumpkin seeds: 2419 mg of leucine per 100 grams of edamame
Tuna: 2293 mg of leucine per 100 grams of edamame
Octopus: Each 100 grams of edamame contains 2293 mg of leucine
Peanuts: every 100 grams of edamame contains 1812 mg of leucine
White beans: each 100 grams of edamame contains 776 mg of leucine
Most plant foods contain less leucine.
