Understand All About Amino Acids
Author: Keith Braithwaite
Anyone seriously interested in improving their health, perhaps through the use of natural dietary supplements, will read a great deal on what they need to take in to improve their body's functions. During this they will have come across mention of amino acids. Articles tell
us amino acids are important, but what are they and what do they do?
Protein makes up most of the human body. Actually protein is the most abundant substance
in the body apart from water. The organs, muscles and functions of the body all depend on protein to operate correctly. Protein is also essential for antibodies, enzymes and tissues. Any lack of this important substance will result in a feeling of being run down, will lead to more illnesses and perhaps even muscle atrophy. Protein is created from varying combinations of amino acids.
Some amino acids originate from the food we eat or natural dietary supplements we ingest and are absorbed through the walls of the gut. These then form larger molecules called polypeptides or peptides and it is these that band together to form the required proteins. Amino acids are therefore truly the building blocks of protein.
In total there are twenty different amino acids, separated into what are termed 'essential' and 'non-essential.' Actually these terms are not quite what they would seem as all amino acids
are required for good health; the groups divide into those which are absorbed from outside the body ('essential') and those manufactured from chemicals already within the body ('non-essential'). Each one is different in its features and benefits to the human body.
An example of a useful essential amino acid is histidine. This has the benefits of lowering blood pressure, producing blood cells, protecting the outer shell of nerve cells, helping remove heavy metals from the body and is essential for growing and repairing tissues. Found in significant amounts in haemoglobin, histidine is useful in the treatment of ulcers, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis and anaemia.
Other essential amino acids are valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, threonine, phenylalanine, lysine, and methoinine. Their benefits range widely and include the repair of muscle, skin and bones, producing collagen, controlling blood sugars, preventing mental problems and detoxifying the body. Three of these, valine, leucine and isoleucine, are very important as they make up at least one third of the skeletal muscle in the body.
One of the best-known non-essential amino acids is glutamine. The others comprise glycine, aspartic acid, asparagine, alanine, serine, tyrosine, proline, arginine, cystine and glutamic acid. Again, the characteristics of each one are numerous and varied and include replacing lost collagen, assisting the formation of cells and DNA, boosting the immune system, affecting our moods, ensuring the correct heart function, repairing cartilage and strengthening tendons, joints and heart tissue.
It is clear amino acids have many functions within the body and so are important to our well being. There is no doubt why so they are mentioned so many times in health literature and why their level needs to be carefully maintained, perhaps through the use of natural dietary supplements.
About the Author: Keith Braithwaite has had twenty years in and keenly observing direct selling. He is an accredited Protocol consultant. Other passions include personal development, painting, drawing, photography, studying history, cycling, walking and the outdoors generally.
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