Correlation between branched-chain amino acids intake and total lymphocyte count in head and neck cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

The mean daily BCAA intake was 10.92 g. The central result was that the analysis found no statistically significant correlation between BCAA intake and TLC (r = 0.235, p = 0.056). Subgroup analyses suggested a potential correlation in underweight and older adult participants, but the primary analysis was insignificant. The study is noted as one of the first clinical studies in cancer patients, with strengths including the use of standardized measurement methods. Limitations include the inability to account for the effect of other dietary amino acids and the relatively small sample size. The findings imply that dietary BCAA intake alone may not directly influence lymphocyte counts in this specific patient group, warranting further investigation into the role of other amino acids.