What is Alpha-Ketoisocaproate?

Alpha-Ketoisocaproate is a B-Complex Vitamin Marker (Leucine catabolism).

Vitamins are compounds that your body needs to be healthy. Vitamins are “essential” for proper function, which means that they are not made inside your body and must be consumed in the diet. The B-complex vitamins are necessary for many enzymes in your body to function properly.

α-Ketoisovalerate α-Ketoisocaproate α-Keto-β-methylvalerate Xanthurenate β-Hydroxyisovalerate — Many **B vitamins** are used as co-factors in the breakdown of **amino acids**. A deficiency of any of these B vitamins may lead to a block in one or more of these pathways resulting in elevations of the markers.

Vitamins B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), and B5 (pantothenic acid) are necessary for energy pathways of all of the cells in your body. As your food is broken down, specific compounds are formed at steps that require B vitamin assistance. aKetoisocaproate is one some these compounds. The production of this metabolite requires vitamins B1, B3, B5 and lipoic acid.

If HIGH
Impaired metabolism due to cofactor insufficiencies or toxic metals; OR “maple syrup urine disease” (if markedly elevated).

Supplement cofactors (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, Mg, cysteine, or lipoic acid); remove toxic
metals (As, Hg, Sb, Cd).

If LOW
Possible low B6; OR secondary to low branched-chain amino acids.