| |
|
Amino Acids
The Amino Acids Your Body Can Produce:
Alanine Asparagin Aspartic Acid
Cysteine Glutamic Acid
Glutamine Glycine
Proline Serine
Tyrosine
Two Non-Standard Amino Acids Which Are Genetic Encoded:
Any protein-containing food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dairy products is rich in alanine. Some protein-rich plant foods like avocado
also supply alanine. It is required for the metabolism of glucose and tryptophan and beta-alanine is a constituent of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
as well as coenzyme A. It has also demonstrated a cholesterol-reducing effect in rats. Plays a major role in the transfer of nitrogen from peripheral tissue to the
liver; aids in the metabolism of glucose, a simple carbohydrate that the body uses for energy; guards against the buildup of toxic substances that
are released into muscle cells when muscle protein is broken down quickly to meet energy needs, such as what happens with aerobic exercise; strengthens the
immune system by producing antibodies. Return to Top
There are two sources of arginine. arginine in the food chain and free-form arginine from supplements. Food-source arginine is
found in abundance in turkey, chicken and other meats. Nonfood-source arginine is called L-arginine and is created through a fermentation
process which separates arginine from all other proteins. in the presence of food and other amino acids, L-arginine will act like food-source
arginine, but when L-arginine is separated from its nutrient boundaries by the removal of all other amino acids, then L-arginine undertakes a
different role, becoming capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and stimulating growth hormone release secreted by the anterior pituitary.
Return to Top
ASPARAGIN Wikipedia Page
There is not a lot of information on asparagin. It is required by the nervous system to maintain equilibrium and is also
required for amino acid transformation from one form to the other which is achieved in the liver. Widely available in plant protein. Return to TopAspartic acid is non-essential in mammals. In plants and microorganisms, aspartic acid is the precursor to several amino acids,
including four that are essential: methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and lysine. Aspartic acid is pervasive in biosynthesis. A crystalline amino
acid found in proteins and occurring naturally in sugar beets and sugar cane. Return to TopCysteine is a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid that is a building block to most proteins. Cysteine has
antioxidant properties. Cysteines play a valuable role by crosslinking proteins. Cysteine can be found in eggs, meat, red peppers, garlic, onions,
broccoli, brussel sprouts, oats, milk, whey protein, and wheat germ. However, it is not classified as an essential amino acid, and can usually be
synthesized by the human body under normal physiological conditions if a sufficient quantity of methionine is available. Your skin, as well as
detoxification of your body, requires cysteine. It is found in beta-keratin, the main protein in nails, skin as well as hair. It not only is
important in collagen production but also assists in skin elasticity and texture. Return to TopAn important excitatory neurotransmitter, and glutamic acid is also important in the metabolism of sugars and fats. Can be used
as fuel in the brain. Can attach itself to nitrogen atoms in the process of forming glutamine which action detoxifies the body of
ammonia. This action is the only way in which the brain can be detoxified from ammonia. Glutamic acid is present in a wide variety of foods and is
responsible for one of the five basic tastes of the human: Bitter, salty, sour, sweet, and umami (described as savoury, meaty, or brothy).
Return to TopL-glutamine is a protein amino acid found in proteins of all life forms. L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the
body. L-glutamine is a very versatile amino acid and participates in many reactions in the body. It is important in the regulation of acid-base
balance. L-glutamine allows the kidneys to excrete an acid load, protecting the body against acidosis. Food sources of glutamine include meat,
poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and dairy products. Return to TopGLYCINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, especially in the spinal cord, brainstem, and retina.
Retards muscle degeneration; improves glycogen storage, thus freeing up glucose for energy needs; promotes a healthy prostate, central nervous
system, and immune system; useful for repairing damaged tissue and promotes healing. Very early findings suggest it may also have antipsychotic
activity as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Return to TopHISTIDINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
One of the 20 most common natural amino acids present in proteins. In the nutritional sense, in humans, histidine is considered
an essential amino acid, but mostly only in children. Needed for growth and for the repair of tissue, as well as the maintenance of the myelin
sheaths that act as protector for nerve cells. It is reported that an increase in the intake of this nutrient helps with the
lengthening of orgasms and also more intense sexual enjoyment. Required for the manufacture of both red and white blood cells. Cannot be
synthesized, but is required through dietary sources. Dairy, meat and poultry, and fish are good sources of histidine. Return to TopISOLEUCINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be part of our diet. Together with
the other two branched-chain-amino-acids (leucine and valine) isoleucine promote muscle recovery after physical exercise and on its own it is
needed for the formation of hemoglobin as well as assisting with regulation of blood sugar levels as well as energy levels. It is also involved
in blood-clot formation. Deficiency of isoleucine is only found in people deficient in dietary protein but symptoms may include headaches,
dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion as well as irritability. Symptoms of deficiency may mimic the symptoms of hypoglycemia. present
in almonds, cashews, chicken, eggs, fish, lentils, liver, meat. Return to TopLEUCINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
An essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesise it. Leucine works with the amino acids isoleucine and valine
to repair muscles, regulate blood sugar, and provide the body with energy. It also increases production of growth hormones, and helps burn
visceral fat, which is located in the deepest layers of the body and the least responsive to dieting and exercise. Donald K. Layman, a professor of
nutrition said: "Leucine appears to have a specific, and apparently unique, impact on skeletal muscle. It stimulates muscle protein synthesis, provides
fuel for the muscle and helps to maintain blood glucose. What really surprised us was that its activity is not seen when leucine or protein is consumed
before or during exercise. Instead it has a dramatic impact on protein synthesis during the recovery period after exercise."
Food sources high in leucine. Return to TopLYSINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
This amino acid is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it. Lysine is a base, as are arginine
and histidine. L-Lysine is a necessary building block for all protein in the body. L-Lysine plays a major role in calcium absorption; building
muscle protein; recovering from surgery or sports injuries; and the body's production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. It is found in numerous
common beans including Black Bean, Dwarf Bean, Field Bean, Flageolet Bean, French Bean, Garden Bean, Green Bean, Haricot, Haricot Bean,
Haricot Vert, Kidney Bean, Navy Bean, Pop Bean, Popping Bean, Snap Bean, String Bean, Wax Bean (2,390–25,700 ppm) in sprout seedling. See the
Wikipedia link for other sources. Return to TopMETHIONINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
As an essential amino acid, methionine is not synthesized in humans, hence we must ingest methionine or methionine-containing
proteins. Methionine is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cysteine, carnitine, taurine, lecithin, phosphatidylcholine, and other phospholipids.
Improper conversion of methionine can lead to atherosclerosis. Return to TopPHENYLALAINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
This essential amino acid cannot be made by animals, which have to obtain it from their diet. L-phenylalanine can also be
converted into L-tyrosine, another one of the DNA-encoded amino acids. L-tyrosine in turn is converted into L-DOPA, which is further converted
into dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) (the latter three are known as the catecholamines). Phenylalanine
uses the same active transport channel as tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier, and, in large quantities, interferes with the production
of serotonin. Return to TopPROLINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
Proline is not an essential amino acid, which means that humans can synthesize it. The hydroxylation of proline by prolyl
hydroxylase increases the conformational stability of collagen significantly. Hence, the hydroxylation of proline is a critical biochemical
process for maintaining the connective tissue of higher organisms. Return to TopPYRROLYSINE Wikipedia Page
Pyrrolysine is a naturally occurring, genetically coded amino acid used by some methanogenic archaea in enzymes
that are part of their methane-producing metabolism. Pyrrolysine is the 22nd genetically encoded natural amino acid.
Return to TopSELENOCYSTEINE Wikipedia Page
Selenocysteine is an amino acid that is present in several enzymes. Selenocysteine has a structure
similar to cysteine, but with an atom of selenium taking the place of the usual sulfur. Proteins that contain one or more
selenocysteine residues are called selenoproteins. selenocysteine is the 21st genetically encoded amino acid.
Return to TopSERINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
Serine is not essential to the human diet, since it is synthesized in the body from other metabolites, including glycine. Serine
is important in metabolism. It is also the precursor to several amino acids, including glycine, cysteine, tryptophan. Serine is especially
important to proper functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Return to TopTHREONINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
As an essential amino acid, threonine is not synthesized in humans, hence we must ingest threonine in the form of
threonine-containing proteins. Threonine also supports cardiovascular, liver, central nervous, and immune system function. Foods high in
threonine include cottage cheese, poultry, fish, meat, lentils, and sesame seeds. Return to TopTRYPTOPHAN Wikipedia Page
Holistic Medicine Page
For many organisms including humans, tryptophan is an essential amino acid. This means that it cannot be synthesized by the
organism and therefore must be part of its diet. The principal function of amino acids including tryptophan are as building blocks in protein
biosynthesis. Tryptophan as a component of dietary protein is particularly plentiful in chocolate, oats, bananas,mangoes, dried dates, milk,
yogurt, cottage cheese, red meat, eggs, fish, poultry including turkey, sesame, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, and
peanuts. Return to TopTYROSINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
Mammals synthesize tyrosine from the essential amino acid phenylalanine. L-Tyrosine is sometimes recommended by practitioners
as helpful for weight loss, clinical depression, Parkinson's Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, and phenylketonuria. Tyrosine is a starting
material for neurotransmitters and increases plasma neurotransmitter levels (particularly dopamine and norepinephrine).
Return to TopVALINE Wikipedia Page
Vitamin Stuff Page
Valine is an essential amino acid, hence it must be ingested, usually as a component of proteins. Valine works with isoleucine
and leucine to promote normal growth, repair tissues, regulate blood sugar, and provide the body with energy. Valine helps stimulate the central
nervous system, and is needed for proper mental functioning. Valine helps prevent the breakdown of muscle by supplying the muscles with extra
glucose for energy production during intense physical activity. Return to Top
|
|
