Amino Acids: Facts You Wanted to Know

Amino Acids: An Overview

Amino Acids do wonderful thing to keep you energetic and healthy. You may be amazed once you learn the role played by amino acids. They perform many more vital functions: resource for your growth, maintenance of body metabolism, provide immunity, healing ulcers and so on.

Tell me! What are amino acids? Simply understand that the amino acids in your diet make up protein. While you digest, your diet protein is once again broken down into specific amino acids and they are selectively put together for different physiological functions.

Amino acids provide energy to your body. Amino acids are responsible in building blood, hair, internal organs, muscles, nails and skin. It is an inescapable requirement for the synthesis of hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissues in our body's system. Amino acids play the key role both as building blocks of proteins as well as intermediates in metabolism.

Twenty Amino Acids

Ten Non-Essential Amino Acids

There are 20 amino acids involved in protein metabolism. As a human your can synthesize or produce 10 of the 20 amino acids. These are called non essential amino acids. There are 10 other amino acids that your body cannot synthesize. These are named as essential amino acids. For the essential amino acids you must get it supplied from your protein rich food. Another critical factor is that your body does not allow you to store excess amino acids for your future consumption. Your body can store fat and starch, but not amino acids. Owing to these reasons the amino acids must be in your food every day.

Non-Essential Amino Acids

The 10 non-essential amino acids that a human can produce are:

1. Alanine. 2. Asparagine. 3. Aspartic acid. 4. Cysteine. 5. Glutamic acid. 6. Glutamine. 7. Glycine. 8. Proline. 9. Serine and 10. Tyrosine.

Essential Amino Acids

The other ten essential amino acids must be supplied from your food. The cereals, greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds must be able to make all the amino acids. Since your body does not store excess amino acids for future use, these amino acids must be finding part in your daily diet. If you are not able to obtain enough of even ONE of the TEN most essential amino acids, then there is certain degradation in your body's proteins.

The most essential amino acids are:

1. Arginine. 2. Histidine. 3. Isoleucine. 4. Leucine. 5. Lysine. 6. Methionine. 7. Phenylalanine. 8. Threonine. 9. Tryptophan. 10. Valine.

Now you are able to appreciate your protein metabolism and the involvement of 20 amino acids. You have an idea about the 10 amino acids you can produce from your protein metabolism.

Amino acids are complex organic compounds. They are essentially responsible for growth and development. They play a crucial role in all processes within your body. Histidine is highly essential for tender babes aged between 4 and 6 months and this can be supplemented via breast milk. The following paragraphs details the names of the amino acids (All shown in Italics. Specifically essential amino acids are marked with underline) and the vital functions carried out by them.

Metabolism

1) Aspartic acid and Threonine rejuvenate your assimilation and body metabolism.

2) Valine is needed essentially for muscle metabolism activity.

3) Most of the amino acids help in the metabolism of glucose. Alanine and Glutamicacid perform very vital role in the metabolism of glucose where as Glycine, improves your glycogen storage.

4) Cysteine, Glutamicacid and Methionine play an important role in the breaking down and burning of fat.

5) Threonine prevents the buildup of fat in the liver.

6) Valine is responsible for the maintenance of proper nitrogen balance in our body. Lysine ensures adequate calcium absorption and helps to maintain a proper nitrogen balance in adults.

7) Glutamine assists in maintaining the proper acid / alkaline balance in the body. It promotes a healthy digestive tract.

Body building

8) Aspartic acid and Valine rejuvenate cellular activity, cell formation and coordinate in the repair of tissues.

9) Cysteine promotes the building of muscle in our body.

10) Serine helps in the strengthening of joints, tendons, and heart muscle. It works with Vitamin C to promote healthy connective tissues.

11) Threonine is responsible for the formation of collagen, elastin and tooth enamel.

12) Isoleucineis required for formation of hemoglobin. Histidine plays a vital role for the production of both red and white blood cells and hence it is used in the treatment of anemia.

13) Phenylalanine and Tryptophan endure body weight control by reducing appetite. Tryptophan is used to treat obesity.

Brain and Spinal Fluid

14) Glutamine is considered as a "brain fuel" that increases brain function and mental activity. Glutamic acid also acts as fuel for the brain and it aids in the transportation of potassium into the spinal fluid.

15) Glycine is responsible for the promotion of central nervous system.

Immune System

16) Alanine, Glycine and Proline promote and strengthen our body immune system by producing antibodies.

17) Asparagine retards the growth of tumors and cancer by enhancing the immune system. It increases the size and activity of the thymus gland, which manufactures T cells, crucial components of the immune system.

Toxic Substances

18) Alanine, Cysteine and Methionine are considered as powerful anti-oxidants. They help in detoxifying harmful toxins and guard against the buildup of toxic substances.

19) Methioninehelps to detoxify harmful agents such as lead and other heavy metals.

20) Cysteine protects the liver and brain from damage due to alcohol, drugs, and toxic compounds found in cigarette smoke.

Healing

21) Glutamine and Phenylalanine alleviate fatigue and depression.

22) Cysteine slows down our aging process.

23) Glutamine shortens the healing time of ulcers. Histidine is used in the treatment ulcers.

24) Cysteine promotes the recovery from severe burns and surgery. Serine helps in the healing of cartilage and the strengthening of joints, tendons and heart muscle.

25) Phenylalanine is used to treat menstrual cramps, migraines, obesity.

26) Tryptophan induces normal sleep; reduces anxiety and depression.

Endocrinology & Diabetes

27) Asparagine and Proline are helpful in stimulating the pancreas to release insulin and help insulin work. Isoleucine and Leucine are responsible for lowering, stabilizing and regulating the blood sugar levels.

28) Leucine and Tryptophan are responsible in increasing the growth hormone production.

29) Tyrosine aids in the smooth functioning of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands.

30) Valine is found helpful in treating liver and gallbladder disease.

Libido

31) The libido potency of Asparagine is immense and hence this amino acid is considered as ''the Natural Viagra." It is frequently used in treating sterility in men by increasing sperm count. Glutamine and Histidine are helpful in alleviating impotence and enhancing sexual arousal. Glycine maintains and promotes a healthy prostate gland.

General

32) Tyrosine is helpful in the production of melanin, a pigment held responsible for colors of our skin and hair.

33) Methionine is regarded as the good source of sulfur, which prevents disorders of the hair, skin, and nails and it prevents brittling of hair.

34) Histidine is responsible in lowering blood pressure.

35) Cysteine is used hardening of the arteries. It is also used in the treatment of allergies.

36) Cysteine, Histidine and Phenylalanine are being used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

37) Cysteine and Histidine protect our body from radiation damage.

Sources:

1) Nutrition - How Much Protein Should I Eat? - http://www.diet-and-health.net/Nutrients/protein.html

2) Depression - The Aminos (Depression Part 2B) by Ross Bishop http://www.rossbishop.com/Articles/Monthly0305_DepressionAminos.htm

3) Protein: An important Macro-Nutrient by Muthusamy R -http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1069233/protein_an_important_macronutrient_.html?cat=51

4) Soy Protein : Pros and Cons by Muthusamy R - http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1089356/soy_protein_pros_and_cons.html?cat=5

5) Trulyhuge.com - Dietary Amino Acids Benefits by B.Cat - http://www.trulyhuge.com/amino-acid-supplements.html