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Amino acids

Every cell in the body needs and uses amino acids. Your body breaks down the protein from foods into its individual amino acids, which are then recombined to create the specific types of proteins the body requires. (Each cell, in fact, is programmed to produce exactly the right combination for its needs.) There are two types of amino acids: nonessential and essential. The body can manufacture nonessential amino acids, but must obtain essential amino acids from the foods you eat. Nonessential amino acids include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, taurine, and tyrosine. Essential amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Amino acids are needed to maintain and repair muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, organs, glands, nails, and hair. They also aid in the production of hormones (such as insulin), neurotransmitters (message-carrying chemicals within the brain), various body fluids, and enzymes that trigger bodily functions. When even one amino acid is lacking, serious health problems will eventually occur.

Though the major cause of an amino acid deficiency is a poor diet (particularly one low in protein), amino acids may also be affected by infection, trauma, stress, medications, age, and chemical imbalances within the body. Nutritionally oriented doctors often give blood tests to determine whether a patient has a deficiency. Amino acid supplements can compensate for deficiencies and can also be taken therapeutically (even when patients aren't deficient) for a variety of health problems.

The liver produces about 80 percent of our body's amino acid needs, the other 20 percent must come from our diet. When an essential amino acid is missing, or even just low, the ability of all the other amino acids is proportionately reduced. The amino acids are the building blocks of peptides, polypeptides and proteins in our bodies.

Protein is the second most abundant material, next to water, that makes up the human body. Proteins are part of your muscles, tendons, ligaments, glands, organs, nails, hair and body fluids critical to bone growth. The process of protein digestion also creates amino acids as an end product.

Essential to life, proteins are linked chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. Each type of protein is unique in its chemical sequencing. Each protein fills a specific need in the body and is not interchangeable with another protein. Proteins in the body are not directly derived from food. Dietary protein is broken down into its amino acid components in the body, then reconstituted as the specific proteins your body needs, at that time. This is why the amino acids are considered essential nutrients. The following lists some of the functions amino acids are involved in:

act as neurotransmitters or precursors to them; some are needed for the brain to send and receive messages.
some can pass through the blood-brain barrier; this barrier exists to maintain the health of the brain, its chemistry and processes.
aid in communication with nerve cells in other parts of the body.
empower vitamins and minerals to do their jobs right.

The following are some of the functions proteins are involved in:

bone growth.
brain function.
enzymes and hormones are proteins that catalyze and regulate all the body's processes.
disease and illness prevention.
maintenance of correct internal pH and water balance.
aids in nutrient exchange between the tissues, blood and lymph with intercellular fluids.
part of the structural basis of chromosomes.

Some amino acids stimulate the body's ability to produce human growth hormone (somatotrophin or STH). The pituitary gland stores this hormone, releasing it into the body from activities such as exercise, reduced food intake and sleep. As we age, the levels of growth hormone decrease until we finally stop producing it around age 50. You can stimulate your body's ability to produce growth hormone and return to levels you had as a young adult, using supplementation.

The release of human growth hormone from the pituitary is regulated by these hormones originating from the hypothalamus; somatostatin the growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GH-IH) and growth hormone releasing hormone (GH-RT). Other biochemical factors influencing the pro auction of human growth hormone include hormones from other sources (e.g. thyroid, adrenal, gonads) and nutrient levels in the blood. The following are the principal health related actions of human growth hormone:

Have anti -aging properties.
Aid in fat burning by converting fat into muscle and energy, which aids weight loss.
Improve protein synthesis for building muscles.
Speed wound healing, also regenerates heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.
Restores hair growth and color.
Helps tissue repair.
Sharper vision.
Reduces wrinkles, improves skin elasticity and texture.
Reduce levels of urea in urine and blood.
Improve the quality of the body's connective tissue, which in turn strengthens ligaments and tendons.
Stronger bones, also restores bone and muscle mass. Growth hormone increases calcium osteocalcin and collagen levels.
Increases energy and endurance during exercise and body building.
Has an antidepressant action on the brain, elevates mood and increases concentration.
Strengthens the immune system through anti-body production and the thymus gland, which is responsible for T-cell production.
Increases oxygen intake and the ability to exercise.
Improves sleep.
Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol.
Greater cardiac output.
Powerful aphrodisiac for men and women.
Alleviates PMS and eliminates vaginal dryness.

Studies have shown that taking growth hormone directly for up to six months can be beneficial, but after that period it is no longer advisable, since it appears to negatively affect some adults. A better option is to help your body release growth hormones naturally using supplementation with amino acids and other nutrients. Amino acids' human growth hormone releasing properties are significantly enhanced when taken with vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacinamide, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

An 'L-' used before an amino acid indicates a natural form that is easily absorbable by the body. For example, 'L-alanine' is the amino acid 'alanine' in a more biologically absorbable form.

A 'D -' before an amino acid indicates a synthetic variation of the amino acid.

Benefits

Different amino acids (and their by-products) are very effective in the treatment of certain types of heart disease. Highly concentrated in the cells of the heart muscle, carnitine strengthens the heart, helps those with congestive heart failure, and can improve the chances of surviving a heart attack. Studies have shown a reduction in heart damage when carnitine was taken for 4 to 12 weeks after a heart attack. Because it is also involved in fat metabolism, carnitine may help lower high levels of triglycerides (blood fats related to cholesterol). The nonessential amino acid arginine reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by widening blood vessels and lowering blood pressure; it eases the symptoms and pains of angina as well. Taurine treats congestive heart failure and lowers high blood pressure by balancing the blood's sodium-to-potassium ratio and by regulating excessive activity of the central nervous system.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a by-product of the amino acid cysteine that's better absorbed than cysteine, stimulates the body's production of antioxidants and may be an antioxidant itself. As such, it aids in repairing cell damage and boosting the immune system. NAC also thins the mucus of chronic bronchitis and has been used to protect the liver in overdoses of acetaminophen (Tylenol). It may also be of value for disorders involving damage to brain or nerve cells, such as multiple sclerosis.

Concentrated in the cells of the digestive tract, glutamine can help heal ulcers and soothe irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. By enhancing the production of certain brain chemicals, taurine may be a boon to people with epilepsy. It's also a key element in bile and may prevent gallstones. People with diabetes can also benefit from taurine because it facilitates the body's use of insulin.

Carnitine feeds the muscles by making it possible for them to burn fat for energy. Lysine is one of the most effective treatments for cold sores and is also useful for shingles and canker sores. (Arginine, on the other hand, can trigger cold sore or genital herpes outbreaks.) Tryptophan is helpful in sleep disorders and depression.

How much to take

For the recommended dosage of individual amino acids, see the appropriate ailment entry. When using any individual amino acid for longer than one month, take it with a mixed amino acid complex-a supplement that contains a variety of amino acids-to be sure you are receiving adequate, balanced amounts of all the amino acids.

Amino acid supplements are more effective when they don't have to compete with the amino acids in high-protein foods. Take the supplements at least an hour and a half before or after meals (first thing in the morning or at bedtime may be best). Individual amino acid supplements should not be used for longer than three months, unless you are under the supervision of a doctor familiar with their use. Take mixed amino acid supplements on an empty stomach and also at a different time of day than you take the individual supplement.

Side effects

Amino acid supplements have no side effects as long as they are taken in the recommended amounts. High doses of certain amino acids, however, may be toxic and produce nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

There are following amino acids

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