Which hormone is crucial for increasing amino acid uptake and protein synthesis?

The hormone that plays a crucial role in increasing amino acid uptake and promoting protein synthesis is insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and serves several important functions in the body, particularly in glucose and lipid metabolism. However, one of its key roles is to facilitate the uptake of amino acids into cells, especially in muscle and adipose tissue, which are vital for the synthesis of proteins.

When insulin levels rise in response to food intake, it signals cells to absorb not only glucose but also amino acids. This is essential for muscle repair and growth, making insulin particularly important for athletes and individuals involved in resistance training or bodybuilding.

The other hormones listed have significant roles in various bodily functions but do not primarily focus on amino acid uptake and protein synthesis in the same way that insulin does. For example, corticosteroids are involved in stress response and metabolism regulation, luteinizing hormone primarily influences reproductive processes, and thyroxine regulates metabolism but does not have a direct impact on protein synthesis like insulin does.