Amino Acids
Every
amino acid molecule contains at least one amino group (-NH2) and carboxyl
group (-COOH) (glycine and taurine are exceptions; taurine carries
a sulfonic acid group instead of a carboxyl group). Amino acids are
in either an "L" or "D" configuration, the difference
determined by which side of the molecule the amino group (-NH2) is
attached. In protein, all amino acid configurations are of the "L"
configuration, "D" configurations. Although a small portion
of ingested "D" form amino acids can be rearranged, to form
"L" configurations, most "D" configured amino
acids are unavailable for peptide and protein synthesis and may even
inhibit enzymes. For this reason, D-configured amino acids should
not be consumed. An exception in this case might be DL-phenylalanine
(DLPA).
Function-
Amino acids are the essential raw materials in the growth, repair
and/or reproduction of every cell of your body. There are approximately
twenty-eight commonly known amino acids that are combined in various
ways to create the thousands of different types of proteins present
in all living things. These “building blocks” of life are what makes
protein. There are only a few forms of fat, and a few forms of carbohydrates
but there are at least fifty thousand recognized forms of protein.
All of these protein structures are made from a specific sequence
of amino acids. The proteins that make up the human body are not obtained
directly from the diet. Rather, dietary protein is broken down into
its constituent amino acids, which the body then uses to build the
specific proteins it needs. Thus, it is the amino acids rather than
protein that are the essential nutrients.
Amino
acids are necessary in the manufacturing of neurotransmitters. The
commonly known neurotransmitters are divided in classes and are identified
as;
Class 1: Acetylcholine
Class 2: (Amines) Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin
Histamine
Class 3: (Amino Acids) GABA (Aminobutyric acid
Glycine
Glutamate
Aspartate
Class 4: Nitric Oxide
The
nervous system is one of the main communication pathways in the body
and neurotransmitters literally make up the metabolism of the nervous
system. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that carry information
from one nerve cell to another. Certain amino acids are necessary
for the brain to receive and send messages. Unlike many other substances,
neurotransmitters are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier.
The blood brain barrier is a defensive shield designed to protect
the brain from toxins and foreign invaders that may be circulating
in the bloodstream. Traditional medicine and pharmaceutical companies
spends millions and millions of dollars trying to get invasive drugs
to pass through this safety barrier to effect neurotransmitters and
other brain function with little success. Nature, however, gladly
accepts and allows the life enhancing amino acids through this barrier.
The endothelial cells that make up the walls of the capillaries in
the brain are much more tightly meshed together than are those of
capillaries elsewhere in the body. This prevents many substances,
especially water-based substances, drugs, and invasive organisms from
diffusing through the capillary walls into brain tissue. Certain amino
acids can pass through this barrier and can be used by the brain to
communicate with nerve cells elsewhere in the body.
Amino
acids also enable vitamins and minerals to perform their jobs properly.
Even if vitamins and minerals are absorbed and assimilated by the
body, they cannot be effective unless the necessary amino acids are
present.
Deficiency-
Many factors can contribute to deficiencies of essential amino acids,
even if you eat a well-balanced diet that contains enough protein.
Impaired absorption, infection, trauma, stress, drug use, age, and
imbalances of other nutrients can all affect the availability of essential
amino acids in the body. Insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals,
especially vitamin C and B6 can interfere with the absorption of amino
acids in the lower part of the small intestines. If your diet is not
properly balanced, with adequate amounts of the essential amino acids,
this will become apparent as some type of imbalance or disease.
Amino
acid deficiency is related to allergies, hormone imbalances, mood
swings, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, blood sugar swings, angina,
asthma, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, low immune system,
digestive disturbances, crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome,
insomnia, ulcerative colitis, PMS, headaches, recurring subluxations,
depression, diabetes, migraines, fainting, impotence, enzyme depletion,
predisposition to various degenerative disorders, gastrointestinal
dysfunction, auto immune disorders, neurological disorders, impairments
in detoxification and inborn errors of metabolism involved at the
DNA level. Other common conditions are ADD, ADHD, epileptic seizures,
leaky gut syndrome, any skin condition, hives, eczema, psoriasis,
dermatitis, rashes, fibromyalgia, syndrome X, aches and pains, chronic
sickness, rhinitis, fluid retention, loss of energy, indigestion,
gas and bloating, anxiety, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat, constipation,
diarrhea, multiple sclerosis, learning disability, ear and sinus infections,
nervous tension, nausea and more.
Amino
acid profiles (lab tests) are available and can be performed using
urine or blood. These tests are very non-invasive and accurate to
detect these imbalances. Even athletes that take in a high level of
protein can be very deficient in amino acids and cause a significant
decrease in performance, health and well-being and accurately provide
treatment programs.
Sources- In the human body, the liver produces about 80 percent of
the amino acids needed. The remaining 20 percent must be obtained
from outside sources in the diet and are called the essential amino
acids. The essential amino acids that must enter the body through
diet are phenylalanine, histidine, tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine,
lysine, methionine, threonine, and valine. The nonessential amino
acids, are manufactured in the body from other amino acids include
alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, citrulline, cysteine,
cystine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine,
ornithine, proline, serine, taurine, and tyrosine. Although labeled
"nonessential" these amino acids are necessary but do not
need to be obtained through the diet because the body can manufacture
them as needed. And nonessential amino acids can become "essential"
under certain conditions. For instance, the nonessential amino acids
cysteine and tyrosine are made from the essential amino acids phenylalanine
and methionine. If phenylalanine and methionine are not available
in sufficient quantities, cysteine and tyrosine then become essential
in the diet.
Free-form
amino acids need no digestion and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Free-form means the amino acid is in its purest form. These white
crystalline amino acids are stable at room temperature and decompose
when heated to temperatures of 350°F to 660°F (180°C to 350°C). They
are rapidly absorbed and do not come from potentially allergenic food
sources.
Precautions-
Excess protein puts undue stress on the kidneys and the liver, which
are faced with processing the waste products of protein metabolism.
Nearly half of the amino acids in dietary protein are transformed
into glucose by the liver and utilized to provide needed energy to
the cells. This process results in a waste product, ammonia. Ammonia
is toxic to the body, so the body protects itself by having the liver
turn the ammonia into a much less toxic compound, urea, which is then
carried through the bloodstream, filtered out by the kidneys, and
excreted. Free form amino acids will NOT lead to this problem.
Free
form amino acids are very safe, however, there are side effects that
some individuals need to be aware of.
¡
Phenylalanine- Never consume phenylalanine if you are a phenylketonuric.
Phenylketonuria is a genetic inability to manufacture the enzyme that
converts phenylalanine to tyrosine. This is especially dangerous during
the first four years of life and build up may cause mental retardation.
Occurrence is estimated one in 12,000 for phenylketonuria (PKU).
¡
Arginine- This amino should be avoided if you have herpes. It may
intensify and lead to recurrence of symptoms.
¡
Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan- Avoid these amino acids if
you are taking anti-depressants referred to as monoamine oxidase or
MAO inhibitors. These antidepressants work by inhibiting monoamine
oxidase. This is an enzyme that is used by the body to deactivate
noradrenalin and adrenalin (stress hormones), and the sleep hormone
serotonin. Inhibiting the MAO enzyme allows those hormones to circulate
in the body for much longer than usual and is used to help relieve
depression, anxiety, and stress. With all medications they have there
own side effects and if you can find a practitioner that will prescribe
amino acid therapy you will be way ahead of the depression game.
Special Note- All the information in this database
is for educational and information purposes only. It is not intended
to be used to diagnose and treat any illnesses or conditions whatsoever,
nor replace proper medical care. Individual recommendations regarding
supplements and diets should come from licensed or certified natural
health care practitioners and physicians when necessary. Elderly persons,
pregnant women, and persons with health or serious weight conditions
should always consult with their doctor before developing or making
changes to nutrition or diet plans. Requirements vary due to a wide
range of variables such as size, weight, lean body mass and physical
demands all are important considerations. Amino Acids Analysis should
be considered whenever a thorough nutritional assessment is desired.
Requirements-
There is no Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) listed. Individual
needs may differ due to clinical conditions, biochemical individuality
and absorption. All sources of nutrients should be consumed in their
most natural state, in the form of a variety of foods or supplements
when necessary. Free form amino acid supplements are immediately absorbed
by the body and should be consumed with natural occurring cofactors
for best results. Consulting with a physician that is properly trained
in the natural healing sciences and amino acid therapy may be needed
for optimum results.
Written
by Jerome Rerucha D.C.
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