Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks that make up protein. When a protein is consumed, the body breaks it down into amino acids. Amino acids are needed for the manufacturing of hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissues.

Amino acids are responsible for a wide array of functions, some of which include; making muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, glands, nails, hair, and many bodily fluids.

Aiding in bone growth and helping to regulate the body’s water balance and maintain proper internal PH, it appears that getting protein in your diet is more than essential, it’s necessary. A deficiency of amino acids could cause problems ranging from indigestion, depression, stunted growth, and edema.

Types of Amino Acids

Amino acids are classified into two general categories: essential and nonessential.

Nonessential amino acids can be synthesized through the body from other amino acids.

Essential amino acids are gained through a diet of protein rich foods.

There are two different kinds of proteins, each providing the body with different amounts of essential amino acids.

Complete proteins contain ample amounts of essential amino acids (meat, fish, poultry, cheese, eggs and milk).

Incomplete proteins contain only some of the essential amino acids (grains, legumes, leafy green vegetables).

It is not necessary to obtain all of your amino acids through meat, fish, poultry, and other complete protein foods. One way to consume adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids, without increasing your fat intake, is through a dietary strategy called mutual supplementation.

Mutual supplementation allows you to combine partial protein foods to make a “complementary protein”. For example, beans and brown rice are both very high in protein, but each one lacks one or more of the necessary amino acids.

When you combine the two (or substitute one for another high-protein option) you form a complete protein that is a high quality substitute for meat.

You need to combine two of the following to make a complete protein: Brown rice, Corn, Nuts, Seeds, Wheat, or Beans.

There are many well-known amino acids; each are responsible for a variety functions within the body and can be combined as well as converted to make another amino acid.

Below is a list of amino acids and a few of the functions that each are responsible for.

Alanine

Metabolizes glucose, guards against toxic buildup.

Arginine

Enhances immune function, aids in weight loss.

Asparagine

Maintains balance in the central nervous system, releases energy that various cells us for metabolism.

Aspartic Acid

Increases stamina, aids in the function of RNA and DNA.

Carnitine

Provides energy to muscles, lessens the risk of heart disorders.

Citrulline

Promotes energy, stimulates the immune system.

Cysteine

Aids in the formation of skin, important in detoxification.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Essential for brain metabolism, acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Glutamic Acid

Plays an important role in metabolizing sugars and fats, corrects personality disorders.

Glutamine

Known as “brain fuel”, promotes a healthy digestive tract.

Glutathione

Detoxifies harmful compounds and excretes them through the bile, appears to have anti-aging effects.

Glycine

Retards muscle degeneration, repairs damaged tissue and promotes healing.

Histidine

Protects the body from radiation damage, helps lower blood pressure.

Homocysteine

Has a toxic effect on cells lining the arteries, makes blood more prone to clotting.

Isoleucine

Stabilizes and regulates blood sugar and energy levels, metabolizes into muscle tissue.

Leucine

Promotes the healing of bones, skin and muscle tissue, lowers elevated blood sugar levels.

Lysine

Aids in calcium absorption, helps with collagen formation and tissue repair.

Methionine

Prevents brittle hair, helps to diminish muscle weakness.

Ornithine

Aids in liver regeneration, promotes the loss of excess body fat.

Phenylalanine

Has a direct effect on brain chemistry, can elevate mood, decrease pain, aid in memory and learning, and suppress appetite.

Proline

Improves skin texture, helps in the healing of cartilage.

Serine

Helps to metabolize fats and fatty acids, maintains a healthy immune system.

Taurine

Utilizes sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, helps to prevent potentially dangerous cardiac arrhythmia's.

Threonine

Maintains the proper protein balance, aids in the formation of collagen, elastin, and tooth enamel.

Tryptophan

Used by the brain to produce serotonin, alleviates stress.

Tyrosine

Acts as a mood elevator, stimulates the metabolism and the central nervous system.

Valine

Needed for muscle metabolism, tissue repair, and the maintenance of a proper nitrogen balance in the body.