L-Valine

Essential branched-chain amino acid vital for muscle coordination, mental vigor, and nervous system function

Scientific nameL-Valine FormulaC5H11NO2 Molecular weight117.15 g/mol CAS72-18-4

95 absorption score

9 safety / 10

22 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

L-Valine with:

82 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced muscle coordination

Supports proper muscle function and coordination

Essential for muscle protein synthesis and neuromuscular function Evidence A-grade 2-4 weeks

Improved mental vigor and focus

Supports cognitive function and mental clarity

Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and brain energy Evidence B-grade 1-4 weeks

Nervous system support

Important for proper nervous system function

Essential for myelin sheath formation and nerve function Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks

Muscle protein synthesis

Supports muscle building and maintenance

Provides essential amino acids for protein synthesis Evidence A-grade 30 minutes to 2 hours post-consumption

Stress response support

Helps maintain amino acid balance during stress

Prevents muscle protein breakdown during stress Evidence B-grade 2-6 hours

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Creatine Monohydrate Strength & power enhancement 3-5g A 95% Calcium Bone health & muscle function 1,000-1,200 mg A 30% Magnesium Glycinate Superior absorption sleep & muscle support 200-600 mg A 90% Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Energy & nerve support 250-1000 mcg A 70% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% L-Theanine Calm focus & stress relief 100-400mg B 90%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

L-Valine + L-Tryptophan High valine may reduce tryptophan uptake into brain Needs attention 58

L-Valine + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Magnesium Oxide No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

L-Valine + Vitamin D3 B vitamins support amino acid metabolism Works better together 78

L-Valine + Whey Protein Complete amino acid profile enhances valine effects Works better together 82

Dosage

With meals

Daily1-6g

Maintenance1-2g daily

Athletic performance2-6g daily

Cognitive support1-3g with meals

Stress periods2-4g daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects1-2 hours for immediate amino acid availability

Peak Benefits2-6 weeks for muscle coordination and mental benefits

Deficiency DevelopmentDays to weeks with inadequate protein intake

Toxicity OnsetVery rare, mainly digestive upset

How to measure it

$80-150

MarkerPlasma valine levels

Optimal180-350 μmol/L

Deficient below<120 μmol/L

FrequencyOnly if monitoring protein status or research purposes

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 95 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 3325 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.02 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Leucine Isoleucine

Other BCAAs work together for optimal muscle effects

Balanced BCAA profile prevents competition and imbalance · level A

Whey Protein

Complete amino acid profile enhances valine effects

Provides all essential amino acids for protein synthesis · level A

B Vitamins

B vitamins support amino acid metabolism

Required for amino acid processing and utilization · level B

What not to take with L-Valine

2 documented

Tryptophan

High valine may reduce tryptophan uptake into brain

Competition for large amino acid transporter · mild significance

Other Large Amino Acids

High valine may compete with phenylalanine, tyrosine

Shared transport mechanisms · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

levodopa Minor

May reduce levodopa absorption

What to do: Space doses apart

branched-chain-ketoaciduria-drugs Major

Contraindicated in maple syrup urine disease

What to do: Avoid in affected individuals

Available forms

bioavailability compared

L-Valine (Free Form) 95

L-Valine (Free Form): Direct utilization, Fast absorption, Well-researched, Highly effective

Food sources

before you supplement

Whey protein 1.2-1.5g per 25g protein · 95

Lean meats (chicken, beef) 1.0-1.3g per 100g · 90

Fish (tuna, salmon) 0.9-1.2g per 100g · 90

Dairy products 0.6-1.0g per 100g · 85

Too little

deficiency signs

Muscle weakness and poor coordination
Mental fatigue and reduced cognitive function
Nervous irritability and mood changes
Poor exercise performance
Impaired growth and development
Reduced stress tolerance

Too much

toxicity signs

Very rare with oral supplementation:
Digestive upset and nausea
Amino acid imbalance
Potential neurological effects at very high doses
Generally excellent safety profile

Who benefits most

athletes-coordination-sports

Essential for muscle coordination and precise movements

1-3g pre/post exercise

cognitive-performance

Supports mental vigor and cognitive function

1-3g with meals

aging-muscle-preservation

Helps maintain muscle mass and coordination with aging

1-3g with meals

stress-management

Supports amino acid balance during physical stress

1-3g during stressful periods

nervous-system-support

Important for proper nervous system function

1-2g daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for L-Valine at 1-6g per serving. The form that matters here is L-Valine (Free Form).

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How it works

Essential component of muscle proteins and enzymes
Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and brain function
Supports myelin sheath formation for nerve protection
Helps maintain nitrogen balance and protein synthesis
Important for glucose regulation and energy metabolism
Essential for proper growth and tissue development

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Essential for muscle coordination and nervous system function
Important for mental vigor and cognitive performance
Critical component of branched-chain amino acid metabolism
Supports muscle protein synthesis and stress response

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-01

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of L-Valine?

Documented effects: Enhanced muscle coordination; Improved mental vigor and focus; Nervous system support; Muscle protein synthesis. Supports proper muscle function and coordination

How much L-Valine should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1-6g. By goal — maintenance: 1-2g daily; athletic performance: 2-6g daily; cognitive support: 1-3g with meals; stress periods: 2-4g daily.

When is the best time to take L-Valine?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 1-2 hours for immediate amino acid availability.

What are the side effects of L-Valine?

At excessive doses: Very rare with oral supplementation:, Digestive upset and nausea, Amino acid imbalance, Potential neurological effects at very high doses, Generally excellent safety profile. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with L-Valine?

Separate it from Tryptophan, Other Large Amino Acids by two to four hours. High valine may reduce tryptophan uptake into brain

Does L-Valine interact with medications?

Documented interactions with levodopa, branched-chain-ketoaciduria-drugs. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need L-Valine?

The marker is Plasma valine levels, optimal range 180-350 μmol/L. Common deficiency signs: Muscle weakness and poor coordination, Mental fatigue and reduced cognitive function, Nervous irritability and mood changes, Poor exercise performance.

Taken for

52 Brain & Focus

Caffeine · DHA · Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)

43 Performance

Caffeine · Creatine Monohydrate · Whey Protein