Background

• Threonine is an important amino acid that is a building block for proteins in the body. Some foods that are high in L-threonine are cottage cheese, watercress, sesame seeds, soy, meat and fish, lentils, eggs, milk, and gelatin.
• L-threonine has been studied in the treatment of nerve disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, and muscle spasms. However, more research is needed.

References

1. Blin, O, Desnuelle, C, Guelton, C, et al. [Anomaly in the neurotransmitter amino acids in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic application]. Rev.Neurol.(Paris) 1991;147(5):392-394. View Abstract
2. Blin, O, Pouget, J, Aubrespy, G, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J.Neurol. 1992;239(2):79-81. View Abstract
3. Borgonha, S, Regan, MM, Oh, SH, et al. Threonine requirement of healthy adults, derived with a 24-h indicator amino acid balance technique. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2002;75(4):698-704. View Abstract
4. Bromberg, MB, Fries, TJ, Forshew, DA, et al. Electrophysiologic endpoint measures in a multicenter ALS drug trial. J.Neurol.Sci. 2-15-2001;184(1):51-55. View Abstract
5. Dong, X, Quinn, PJ, and Wang, X. Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium glutamicum for the production of L-threonine. Biotechnol.Adv. 2011;29(1):11-23. View Abstract
6. Godard, MP, Williamson, DL, and Trappe, SW. Oral amino-acid provision does not affect muscle strength or size gains in older men. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 2002;34(7):1126-1131. View Abstract
7. Hauser, SL, Doolittle, TH, Lopez-Bresnahan, M, et al. An antispasticity effect of threonine in multiple sclerosis. Arch.Neurol. 1992;49(9):923-926. View Abstract
8. Hsieh JTC, Wolfe DL, Connolly S, et al. Spasticity after spinal cord injury: an evidence-based review of current interventions. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (TOP SPINAL CORD INJ REHABIL) 2007;13(1):81-97.
9. Lee, A and Patterson, V. A double-blind study of L-threonine in patients with spinal spasticity. Acta Neurol.Scand. 1993;88(5):334-338. View Abstract
10. Parton, M, Mitsumoto, H, and Leigh, PN. WITHDRAWN: Amino acids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / motor neuron disease. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2008;(2):CD003457. View Abstract
11. Rochon, C, Prod'homme, M, Laurichesse, H, et al. Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the efficiency of an oral protein-rich nutritional support in HIV-infected patients. Reprod.Nutr.Dev. 2003;43(2):203-214. View Abstract
12. Shakespeare, DT, Boggild, M, and Young, C. Anti-spasticity agents for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2003;(4):CD001332. View Abstract
13. Testa, D, Caraceni, T, Fetoni, V, et al. Chronic treatment with L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study. Clin.Neurol.Neurosurg. 1992;94(1):7-9. View Abstract
14. van der Schoor, SR, Wattimena, DL, Huijmans, J, et al. The gut takes nearly all: threonine kinetics in infants. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2007;86(4):1132-1138. View Abstract
15. Wilson, DC, Rafii, M, Ball, RO, et al. Threonine requirement of young men determined by indicator amino acid oxidation with use of L-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2000;71(3):757-764. View Abstract