Which group of amino acids does VIL refer to?

The acronym VIL refers to the branched-chain amino acids: valine, isoleucine, and leucine. These amino acids are categorized as branched-chain because their chemical structure contains branch points along the carbon backbone. They are essential amino acids, meaning that the body cannot synthesize them and they must be obtained from dietary sources.

Branched-chain amino acids play a critical role in muscle metabolism, energy production, and the regulation of protein synthesis, making them particularly important for athletes and individuals engaged in resistance training. This distinguishes them from the other categories listed, such as essential amino acids in general, non-essential amino acids, and aromatic amino acids, which have different functions and characteristics within the body.