Washington DC, Oct. 3 -- The essential amino acid leucine may enhance cellular energy production by helping protect vital mitochondrial proteins from breakdown. The finding highlights a previously unknown link between nutrition and metabolism and could pave the way for new strategies to address metabolic disorders and cancer.

According to the ScienceDaily website, Mitochondria are often described as the powerhouses of the cell because they produce much of the energy our bodies need to grow, move, repair tissues, and carry out everyday functions. But they do not operate at a constant pace. Instead, mitochondria continuously adjust their activity depending on how much energy a cell needs and which nutrients are available.

Scientists have ...