branched-chain amino acids

amino acid /ami·no ac·id/ (ah-me´no) one of a class of organic compounds containing the amino (NH2) and the carboxyl (COOH) groups; they occur naturally in plant and animal tissue and form the chief constituents of protein.

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branched-chain amino acids  leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

essential amino acids  the nine α-amino acids that cannot be synthesized by humans but must be obtained from the diet.

nonessential amino acids  the eleven α-amino acids that can be synthesized by humans and are not specifically required in the diet.

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branched-chain amino acids,

leucine, isoleucine, and valine; they are incorporated into proteins or catabolized for energy.