L-Histidine
L-Histidine is an essential amino acid, which converts to histamine, a powerful blood vessel dilator, involved in gastric acid secretions and neurotransmission in the central nervous systems. It is also related to circadian rhythms, sexual arousal and orgasmic function in women.
L-Histidine is needed for growth and for the repair of tissue, as well as the maintenance of the myelin sheaths that act as protector for nerve cells. It is known to help protect the body from damage caused by radiation and also helps in removing heavy metals from the body. L-histidine is also required by the body to regulate and utilize essential trace minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, manganese and molybdenum.
L-Histidine is precursor to the allergy symptom producing hormone histamine. Histamine is well known for its role in stimulating the inflammatory response of skin and mucous membranes such as those found in the nose - this action is essential in the protection of these barriers during infection.
Histamine also stimulates the secretion of the digestive enzyme gastrin. Without adequate histamine production healthy digestion can become impaired. Without adequate In the stomach, L-Histidine can be helpful in producing gastric juices. People with a shortage of gastric juices or suffering from indigestion, may also benefit from this nutrient. L-Histidine is also required by the body to regulate and utilize essential trace minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, manganese and molybdenum.
L-Histidine is one of the glucogenic amino acids. Glucogenic amino acids facilitate the body's production of energy. L-Histidine is used to help boost the production of red and white blood cells.
Isoleucine
Isoleucine is an essential amino acid that along with leucine and valine makeup the branched chain amino acids (BCAA). This amino acid cannot be manufactured in the body, and needs to be supplied in the diet. Isoleucine is thought to play the biggest role in increasing endurance and helping heal, repair and grow muscle tissue damaged from injury and strenuous exercise and training. Isoleucine is especially important to serious athletes and body builders because of its role in boosting energy production and assisting the body recover from strenuous physical activity.
Isoleucine, together with the other two branched-chain-amino-acids promote muscle recovery after physical exercise and on its own it is needed for the formation of hemoglobin as well as assisting with regulation of blood sugar levels as well as energy levels. It is also involved in blood-clot formation.
Therapeutic doses of isoleucine may be very helpful in preventing muscle wasting and promoting tissue repair after surgery or trauma. Substantial evidence in the literature supports the anabolic effects of branched-chain amino acids on muscle protein synthesis. Supplementation with isoleucine may, therefore, have a positive effect on increasing muscle protein in those who are suffering from muscle protein loss. Amen and Yoshumira have presented evidence which indicates that isoleucine, leucine, and valine are important for stimulating anabolic function in humans. Isoleucine is also converted in the liver to blood sugar; therefore, it can be helpful in maintaining proper blood glucose levels. Therapeutic doses of isoleucine range between 200 to 2,000 mg per day.
L-Leucine
L-Leucine is an essential amino acid, meaning it cannot be made by the body, and must be acquired through food or dietary supplements. Leucine is classified as a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA). It comprises about 8% of the total amino acid count in your body's protein structures and is the fourth most concentrated amino acid in skeletal muscle tissue.
L-Leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis and may be the major fuel involved in anabolic (tissue building) reactions. This makes them especially important for body builders and other athletes in sports that demand explosive strength.
The branch chain amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine enhance protein synthesis in liver cells and muscle cells and help promote muscle recovery after exercise. They contribute to energy production in the body by being oxidized in the cell's mitochondria. Branch chain amino acids are used by body builders and athletes to produce an anabolic effect and assist in the repair of micro tears in muscle tissue that are a normal result of exercise. Leucine is thought to be the most effective BCAA for preventing the body's burning of muscle stores for energy during intense workouts because it is converted to glucose more quickly than isoleucine and valine.
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot manufacture it so it must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Lysine is an essential component of all proteins and works with other essential amino acids to maintain growth, lean body mass, and the body's store of nitrogen.
Lysine acts as a precursor for several other amino acids, including L-Citrulline (needed for normal protein metabolism) and L-carnitine (needed for fat metabolism). Lysine is crucial for the formation of collagen, a major part of the body's connective tissues and appears to help the body absorb and conserve calcium and may reduce its excretion.
Lysine contributes to energy production when converted to acetyl coenzyme A, one of the principal fuels for the Krebs cycle. Lysine is needed for growth and to help maintain nitrogen balance in the body. L-lysine has many other functions in the body because it is incorporated into many proteins, which are used by the body for a variety of purposes. Lysine supports a healthy immune system.
L-Methionine
L-Methionine (methionine) is a sulfur-bearing essential amino acid, which means that it cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained through diet or by supplementation. L-methionine is an antioxidant found in meat and dairy products and supplementing with it is especially recommended for people on a vegetarian diet.
L-Methionine acts as a methyl donor in biochemical pathways and can be converted to SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine), a natural compound that supports liver function, healthy joints, and is necessary for normal brain function. S-adenosyl methionine, a precursor to phosphatidyl choline and creatine. Phosphatidyl choline, an important component of cell membranes, supports healthy brain function. Creatine forms creatine phosphate, a high-energy compound found in high concentration in the muscles. Creatine phosphate helps regenerate ATP during exercise, providing energy for short bursts of maximal muscle power.
In the body, methionine is converted to L-Cysteine and is potentially beneficial in liver detoxification and in neutralizing toxins. L-Cysteine is a component of the cellular antioxidant glutathione, an important antioxidant molecule in the body which assists in natural detoxification processes. L-methionine is also a transporter of the antioxidant mineral, selenium.
L-Methionine has been shown to support healthy copper and lead serum levels, liver fat metabolism, healthy skin and nails, and energy production. High purity, free form l-methionine is well tolerated.
L-Methionine is one of the nine essential Amino Acids necessary for balanced nutrition and good health. Amino Acids provide the crucial building blocks for protein. Protein plays a role in constructing and maintaining the critical structures and functions of the body.
L-Phenylalanine
L-Phenylalanine is an essential nine-carbon amino acid that is one of the most commonly found aromatic amino acids that exhibit ultraviolet radiation absorption properties. L-Phenylalanine can be converted to L-tyrosine by a complex biochemical process which takes place in the liver. L-Tyrosine in turn is used to synthesize two important neurotransmitters; dopamine and norepinephrine. These hormones are depleted by stress, overwork and certain drugs. By replenishing norepinephrine in the brain, mental energy levels are enhanced and a feeling of contentment often occurs. In addition, the conversion step from L-tyrosine to norepinephrine may be enhanced if the cofactors vitamins B6 and C are present.
Phenylalanine is available in three different forms, L-, D-, and DL-. The L- form is the most common and the type in which it is incorporated into the body's proteins. The D- form acts as a painkiller and the DL- acts as a combination of the two. L-Phenylalanine is used in elevating the mood since it is so closely involved with the nervous system. This amino is also said to help with memory and learning, and some people use it as an appetite suppressant. Toxicity is rare but large amounts of L-Phenylalanine may affect your blood pressure and cause headaches, nausea and heartburn.
By contributing to the synthesis of dopamine and norepinephrine, Phenylalanine may also help to regulate appetite by promoting a healthy mood.
L-Threonine
L-Threonine is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by humans and has to be obtained from dietary sources. L-Threonine supports cardiovascular, liver, central nervous, and immune system function. L-Threonine aids in the synthesis of glycine and serine, two amino acids that help in the production of collagen, elastin, and muscle tissue. L-Threonine helps build strong bones and tooth enamel. It also speeds up wound healing after injury by boosting immune system.
L-Threonine combines with the amino acids aspartic acid and methionine to help liver digest fats and fatty acids, which reduces accumulation of fat in the liver. An accumulation of fats in the liver can affect negatively its function.
L-Threonine is useful in treating Lou Gehrig's Disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Research shows that symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), another disease that affects nerve and muscle, may be alleviated with L-Threonine treatment. L-Threonine is an immunostimulant, which promotes the growth of thymus gland.
L-Threonine typically found in high concentrations in the heart, skeletal muscles and central nervous system. L-Threonine is required to help maintain the proper protein balance in the body, as well as assist in the formation of collagen and elastin. It is further involved in liver functioning including fighting fatty liver. L-Threonine plays a role lipotropic functions when combined with aspartic acid and methionine as well as assisting the immune system by helping the production of antibodies and promotes thymus growth and activity.
Other nutrients are also better absorbed when L-Threonine is present, and it has also been used as part treatment of mental health. Good levels of L-Threonine are found in most meats, dairy and eggs, as well as in lower quantities in wheat germ, nuts, beans and some vegetables.
L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid important for the synthesis of melatonin and serotonin which are hormones that regulate mood and stress response. L-Tryptophan helps support relaxation, sleep, positive mood and immune function. L-Tryptophan is the precursor to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, which is deficient in people who have depression. L-Tryptophan also supports immune functions because it is the body's precursor to the kynurenines that regulate immunity. If needed, L-tryptophan converts to niacin in the body, which supports circulation, a healthy nervous system, the metabolism of food, and the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system. As an essential amino acid, it is not synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.
L-Tryptophan for Dieting:
During dieting, L-Tryptophan levels and serotonin levels drop dramatically. These low serotonin levels in overweight and obese patients are known to cause carbohydrate cravings and the resultant binge eating. Because brain and blood levels of serotonin, rise and fall depending on the amount of L-Tryptophan you consume, many health practitioners use L-Tryptophan to stop the cravings and help diets succeed. Numerous clinical trials on overweight patients have demonstrated food cravings decrease, and food intake decreases when serotonin levels are high. Tryptophan is necessary for the production of niacin. It is used by the brain to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that transfers nerve impulses between cells and is responsible for normal sleep. L-Tryptophan helps to combat depression and insomnia and to stabilize moods. It helps to control hyperactivity in children, alleviates stress, is good for the heart, aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and enhances the release of growth hormone. It is good for migraine headaches and may reduce some of the effects of nicotine.
L-Valine
L-Valine is an essential amino acid, specifically classified as a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA). BCAA's, which include valine as well as leucine and isoleucine, stimulate protein synthesis directly in muscle tissue. Valine works in the body as a fuel involved muscle-tissue building reactions, and stimulates muscle protein synthesis. Valine helps optimize the body's metabolism, providing energy and assistance with the repair and growth of damaged tissues. It has a stimulating effect and is needed for muscle metabolism, repair and growth of tissue and maintaining the nitrogen balance in the body.
Valine, helps stimulate the central nervous system and is needed for proper mental functioning. Valine may also improves liver function by assisting with removal of potentially toxic excess nitrogen from the liver and aids in nitrogen transport to other tissues in the body as needed. Increased valine intake may improve liver function for Individuals with various types of liver disease and liver damage from alcohol or drug abuse.
L-Valine is an essential amino acid that cannot be made in the body and must be acquired through food or dietary supplements.
Sources:
Essential amino acid From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
