Taurine is not a strong direct activator of mTOR the way leucine and other BCAAs are, so it’s generally fine subjectively on “AMPK days.”
5-HTP mainly affects mood and the central nervous system rather than dramatically shifting AMPK or mTOR - so other dimension…
Lactobacillus plantarum L11 and Lactobacillus reuteri LR: Ameliorate Obesity via AMPK Pathway:
Lactobacillus plantarum L11 and Lactobacillus reuteri LR increased AMPK phosphorylation and altered the expression of key regulators in the PPAR–AMPK pathway (particularly PPAR-α and AMPK). These findings suggest that the probiotics contribute to rebalancing energy and lipid metabolism, thereby mitigating obesity in HFD-fed mice.
A Chinese study - but aligns with earlier findings, providing yet another reason to consider Reuteri/Plantarum yogurt. However, it should be balanced with B. longum to address any histamine concerns.
Oh, so it is the BCAA, but then why people worry about glycine activating mTOR, an exception, or don’t need to worry?
The benefits of glycine far outweigh the potential negative effects of moderate mTOR activation.
However, regarding glucosamine, after reading this study, I have decided to stop taking it.
Have you seen it, @SilentWatcher?
The effect isn’t very large (4% increase in HR for cancer overall), and seems mostly driven by skin and prostate cancers. Also this is more of an observation study, not exactly an RTC.
Having said that, one can ask the opposite question - what are the benefits of taking glucosamine. If the benefits are slim to none, with poor evidence, then that’s grounds enough to drop it, never mind any possible cancer risk.
Glucosamine has some fans based on poor quality evidence purporting to show an association with an all cause mortality benefit. It seems to have been debunked for some of the original claims, such as osteoarthritis, knee pain etc.
Is there any actual reason to take it?