Published on: Oct 02, 2025
A recent study from UT Health San Antonio, published in Dietetics (August 2025), found that supplementing exercise with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can improve physical and mental well-being in older adults.
For many older adults, regular exercise can be challenging due to age-related physical and mental fatigue. A new study from UT Health San Antonio, published in Dietetics (August 2025), suggests that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation could make exercise more effective and reduce fatigue.
In a small, randomized, double-blind trial, 20 participants with an average age of 70 completed eight weeks of moderate aerobic and strength training. One group received a placebo beverage, while the other consumed a BCAA drink in a 2:1:1 ratio, emphasizing leucine. The results were striking: while the exercise-only group saw minimal improvements, the BCAA group experienced a modest increase in strength and endurance, a 45percente reduction in fatigue, and a 29percente drop in depressive symptoms.
Dr. Jason O’Connor, co-author of the study, explained that BCAAs — leucine, isoleucine, and valine — play a role not only in building muscle but also in regulating inflammation and brain health. Fatigue isn’t just about tired muscles, he said. Central fatigue, which originates in the brain, can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. BCAA supplementation may help break this cycle, supporting both physical and mental well-being.
BCAAs may provide short-term benefits by reducing mental fatigue and improving recovery, as well as long-term benefits by activating cellular pathways in muscle tissue that prevent breakdown. While previous studies in younger adults have shown mixed results, this research highlights the potential of BCAAs to support older adults, who are more vulnerable to both physical and mental fatigue.
The study, funded by the San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, suggests that combining BCAA supplementation with exercise could be a promising strategy to improve quality of life and help older adults stay active and motivated.
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