Amino Acids
Figure 1: structure of amino acids
A List of Amino Acids and their functions
Alanine is needed for giving energy to muscles. This is the main amino acid in sugar metabolism. It improves immune system by creating antibodies and needed for connective tissue. Deficiencies are fatigue, hypoglycaemia, viral infections, muscle breakdown and heightened insulin and glucagen amounts.
Arginine is needed for correct immune system activity, it is essential for wound healing. It helps to regenerate a damaged liver, needed for creation and releasing growth hormone. Increases the release of insulin and glycogen. It helps healing by collagen synthesis. Reduces the size of tumors and is needed for spermatogenesis.
Aspartic acid interconvertible with Asparagine. Improves stamina, helps look after the liver by removing ammonia and works with DNA and RNA metabolism and improves immunoglobulin creation and antibody creation.
Asparagine is the excitatory neurotransmitter, high concentrations are in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. This is a piece of the brain that is needed for short term memory and hypothalamus is emotion, and acts as a neurological gate between the brain and the rest of the body. Increases endurance and reduces fatigue. Detoxifies harmful chemicals, important in DNA synthesis and activates thymus gland (Blanchier, 2013).
Cysteine-cystine it is an antioxident. It is protective against pollution, radiation, ultraviolet light. This is a natural detoxifier and is needed for repairing, growth and maintenance and is in hair. It is the precursor to amino acid taurine and is a precursor to chondroitin sulfate; that is the most important thing that constructs cartilage (Wendisch, 2007).
Glutamic acid is aprecursor to glutamine and GABA and it is one of the two excitatory neurotransmitters the other is aspartic acid. Too much in brain tissue can lead to cell damage, it aids in stopping sugar cravings, increases energy, makes wounds and ulcers heal quicker, DNA synthesis, detoxifies ammonia in the brain by creating glutamine.
Glutamine precursor to the neurotransmitter GABA. Needed for relaxing and serenity, regulates blood sugar levels, muscle strength and endurance. Gastrointestinal functions; giving energy to the small intestines needed for DNA synthesis.
Glycine structure of haemoglobin, piece of enzymes needed for creation of energy. Needed for glucagon creation hat is required for glycogen metabolism.
Histidine present in high concentration in hemoglobin. Needed in treating anemia due to relationship to hemoglobin, treats rheumatoid arthritis, precursot to histamine, regulates blood PH.
Isoleucine muscle strength, stamina and endurance, muscle tissue needs this for energy, creation of hemoglobin.
Leucine activates insulin, aids with bone healing, helps skin to heal, regulates release of enkephalins; that are natural pain reducers.
Lysine viral growth, treats herpes simplex and other viruses, helps create collagen needed in ligaments, bones, joints and tendons. Helps with absorbing calcium, hormone creation.
Methionine helps breakdown of fats, precursor of amino acid cysteine and taurine, removes toxic waste from the liver, stops disorders of skin, hair, nails because of sulphur and antioxidents. In synthesis of DNA and RNA.
Phenylalanine precursor to Tyrosine and hormone Thyroxine, improves mood, memory and concentration, collagen creation, suppresses appetite.
Proline in cartilage, improves joints, ligaments and tendons, precursor to proline is glutamate, works with Vitamin C with joints and skin.
Serine needed to regulate blood sugar, improves immune system; creating antibodies and immunoglobulins, needed for growth and looking after muscle.
Threonine needed for creation of collagen, stops fatty deposits in the liver, helps creation of antibodies, required in the gastrointestinal tract to work correctly.
Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin that gives off a calm effect, allows sleep, decreases anxiety, activates growth hormone, lowers cholesterol, arterial spasms decreased.
Tyrosine increases energy, improving concentration.
Valine is absorbed quickly by muscles and used as an energy source, valine deficiency decreases are not absorbed very well by the gastrointestinal tract.
Taurine controls nervous system in cell membranes, treats epileptic seizures, it is an antioxidant, slowing down aging via neutralizing free radicals. Regulates heart rhythm, needed in brain injury, reduces cholesterol levels, needed in the eye. Highest concentration is in the heart, reduces risk of gall stones, anticonvulsant effect is lasting (Blanchier, 2013).
Figure 2: amino acid structure (Proteins,2015).