Recently my friend Terry invited me to workout with him at our local Gym. Terry is a professional bodybuilder. At the entrance, I was surprised by the amount of supplements that were on display. This gym carried vitamins, minerals, thermogenics, amino acids, and hundreds of books and magazines dealing with building and keeping muscle. As Terry and I began to workout we noticed seven guys involved in a heated discussion. The topic was amino acids. Some preferred brand X, others brand Z. Some insisted you take them pre-workout, others post-workout. Terry and I moved on to finishing our workout. On our ride home Terry and I continued the discussion of amino acids. While Terry understands the role amino acids play in helping build and maintain muscle mass, he knew very little about their role in helping maintain a healthy body.
Amino Acids Are The Building Blocks Of Protein. They are broken down into two categories. They are classified as either essential or nonessential. Non essential amino acids are produced in the body. My hope is that you visit your primary physician annually and you know if your body is producing nonessential amino acids in sufficient quantities. If not then he/she has you on supplements. Essential amino acids can only be obtained by consuming foods that contain them. Your body does not store essential amino acids. Each day you must consume foods that contain them. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines essential as: 2a: basic, indispensable, necessary. 2b: being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet. Some synonyms: all important, critical, imperative, indispensable, integral, and must have. Failure to not supply your body with these essential amino acids leads to serious health implications. In the body, muscle is the primary source of these amino acids. If your diet does not provide them, your body will get them from your muscle. This then leads to muscle wasting and ultimately weight gain, weakness, fatigue, and changes to hair, skin, and nails. Over time, your mental health is affected, and DNA damage occurs.
A diet that provides all of the essential amino acids includes the following: Lean cuts of beef, lamb, pork, as well as chicken, turkey, and seafood. Eggs, milk, and cheese are also complete proteins. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids. Avocados, apricots,apples, bananas, pears, peaches, watermelon, cauliflower, celery, beets, mushrooms, onions, garlic, peas, pumpkin, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat, wheat germ, oats, quinoa, teff, and brown rice are excellent sources of amino acids. This is no way near a complete list but it's a good starting point. I often refer to the Internet as the world's largest library. If you have the resources I urge you to study; "Foods and Amino Acids".
The following are the essential amino acids our bodies get from food: Arginine (some amount is produced by the body) is a conditionally nonessential amino acid. This means that most of the time our bodies manufacture it. Preterm infants are unable to create it and thus for them it is an essential amino acid.
Isoleucine is part of three "branch chained amino acids" (BCAA). The other two are leucine and valine. These BCAA's promote muscle recovery after physical exercise. Remember our bodybuilders at the beginning of this article. On it's own isoleucine is needed for the formation of hemoglobin. It assists with regulating blood sugar and energy levels. Those deficient in this amino acid display symptoms such as: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, and irritability. These symptoms are similar to hypoglycemia.
Leucine is a branched chain amino acid unique in it's ability to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, protein essential for muscle growth. Leucine has a far greater stimulus effect on protein than any other amino acid.
Leucine is a branched chain amino acid unique in it's ability to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, protein essential for muscle growth. Leucine has a far greater stimulus effect on protein than any other amino acid.
Methionine helps with metabolic function and breaks down fat. It helps with the removal of heavy metals so that our liver, kidneys, and bladder remain healthy. Side affects of methionine deficiency include liver damage, edema, brittle hair, slow growth in children and can lead to mental disorders.
Lysine is important for proper growth. It plays an important role in the production of carnitine which is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping to lower cholesterol. It also plays a role in the formation of collagen. Lysine deficiencies can cause fatigue, nausea, dizziness, suppressed appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes, slow growth, anemia, and reproductive disorders.
Phenylalanine is normally converted to tyrosine. Tyrosine then is converted to L-Dopa, norepinephrino, and epinephrine, three key neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells. Those with the inherited metabolic disorder Phenylketonuria do not have the liver enzyme necessary for breaking down phenylalanine. Those of you with this condition know that your diet must exclude phenylalanine and avoid aspartame found in artificial sweeteners.
Tryptophan helps regulate your diet. The body uses tryptophan to help make niacin but in order to do so it also requires sufficient quantities of iron, riboflavin and Vitamin B6. Our bodies also uses tryptophan to make serotonin which is thought to aid healthy sleep and regulate mood. Symptoms of tryptophan deficiency include but are not limited to: depression, lack of concentration, weight gain or unexplained weight loss, carbohydrate cravings, and insomnia.
Valine is one of three branched chain amino acids. The other two are leucine and isoleucine. Valine is important for everyday body functions and for maintaining muscles. It also helps regulate our immune system. It is important to growth in children and nitrogen balance in adults.
Valine is one of three branched chain amino acids. The other two are leucine and isoleucine. Valine is important for everyday body functions and for maintaining muscles. It also helps regulate our immune system. It is important to growth in children and nitrogen balance in adults.
Regarding this article, I have given you a very brief overview. My hope for all of you is that I have motivated you to take a closer look at your diet and make the necessary changes to live a healthier life. I now leave you with this Pearl Of Wisdom:
"Let Food Be Thy Medicine,And Let Thy Medicine Be Food". -Hippocrates, Father of Medicine
Amino Acids Are The Building Blocks Of Protein. They are broken down into two categories. They are classified as either essential or nonessential. Non essential amino acids are produced in the body. My hope is that you visit your primary physician annually and you know if your body is producing nonessential amino acids in sufficient quantities. If not then he/she has you on supplements. Essential amino acids can only be obtained by consuming foods that contain them. Your body does not store essential amino acids. Each day you must consume foods that contain them. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines essential as: 2a: basic, indispensable, necessary. 2b: being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet. Some synonyms: all important, critical, imperative, indispensable, integral, and must have. Failure to not supply your body with these essential amino acids leads to serious health implications. In the body, muscle is the primary source of these amino acids. If your diet does not provide them, your body will get them from your muscle. This then leads to muscle wasting and ultimately weight gain, weakness, fatigue, and changes to hair, skin, and nails. Over time, your mental health is affected, and DNA damage occurs.
A diet that provides all of the essential amino acids includes the following: Lean cuts of beef, lamb, pork, as well as chicken, turkey, and seafood. Eggs, milk, and cheese are also complete proteins. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids. Avocados, apricots,apples, bananas, pears, peaches, watermelon, cauliflower, celery, beets, mushrooms, onions, garlic, peas, pumpkin, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat, wheat germ, oats, quinoa, teff, and brown rice are excellent sources of amino acids. This is no way near a complete list but it's a good starting point. I often refer to the Internet as the world's largest library. If you have the resources I urge you to study; "Foods and Amino Acids".
The following are the essential amino acids our bodies get from food: Arginine (some amount is produced by the body) is a conditionally nonessential amino acid. This means that most of the time our bodies manufacture it. Preterm infants are unable to create it and thus for them it is an essential amino acid.
Isoleucine is part of three "branch chained amino acids" (BCAA). The other two are leucine and valine. These BCAA's promote muscle recovery after physical exercise. Remember our bodybuilders at the beginning of this article. On it's own isoleucine is needed for the formation of hemoglobin. It assists with regulating blood sugar and energy levels. Those deficient in this amino acid display symptoms such as: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, and irritability. These symptoms are similar to hypoglycemia.
Leucine is a branched chain amino acid unique in it's ability to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, protein essential for muscle growth. Leucine has a far greater stimulus effect on protein than any other amino acid.
Leucine is a branched chain amino acid unique in it's ability to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, protein essential for muscle growth. Leucine has a far greater stimulus effect on protein than any other amino acid.
Methionine helps with metabolic function and breaks down fat. It helps with the removal of heavy metals so that our liver, kidneys, and bladder remain healthy. Side affects of methionine deficiency include liver damage, edema, brittle hair, slow growth in children and can lead to mental disorders.
Lysine is important for proper growth. It plays an important role in the production of carnitine which is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping to lower cholesterol. It also plays a role in the formation of collagen. Lysine deficiencies can cause fatigue, nausea, dizziness, suppressed appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes, slow growth, anemia, and reproductive disorders.
Phenylalanine is normally converted to tyrosine. Tyrosine then is converted to L-Dopa, norepinephrino, and epinephrine, three key neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells. Those with the inherited metabolic disorder Phenylketonuria do not have the liver enzyme necessary for breaking down phenylalanine. Those of you with this condition know that your diet must exclude phenylalanine and avoid aspartame found in artificial sweeteners.
Tryptophan helps regulate your diet. The body uses tryptophan to help make niacin but in order to do so it also requires sufficient quantities of iron, riboflavin and Vitamin B6. Our bodies also uses tryptophan to make serotonin which is thought to aid healthy sleep and regulate mood. Symptoms of tryptophan deficiency include but are not limited to: depression, lack of concentration, weight gain or unexplained weight loss, carbohydrate cravings, and insomnia.
Valine is one of three branched chain amino acids. The other two are leucine and isoleucine. Valine is important for everyday body functions and for maintaining muscles. It also helps regulate our immune system. It is important to growth in children and nitrogen balance in adults.
Valine is one of three branched chain amino acids. The other two are leucine and isoleucine. Valine is important for everyday body functions and for maintaining muscles. It also helps regulate our immune system. It is important to growth in children and nitrogen balance in adults.
Regarding this article, I have given you a very brief overview. My hope for all of you is that I have motivated you to take a closer look at your diet and make the necessary changes to live a healthier life. I now leave you with this Pearl Of Wisdom:
"Let Food Be Thy Medicine,And Let Thy Medicine Be Food". -Hippocrates, Father of Medicine
About the Author:
Bethy Mashef has performed exhaustive research with amino acids and the critical role they play in in helping to maintain a healthy body. For more detailed information, please visit:Amino Acids and Protein
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