The human body must acquire various elements or ingredients to maintain its health of the body, including the organs, tissues, muscles, brain function, and skin.
Amino acids are among the molecules required for a healthy body to function properly. Some amino acids are consumed through food; others are produced when protein in the body is broken down.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids combine with other amino acids to form proteins. Both amino acids and proteins are necessary for life.
They are considered the building blocks of life. Proteins have their own unique sequence of amino acids, which relates to their specific functions in the body.
Amino acids (the building blocks of protein) help with hormone and neurotransmitter production. Hormones produced by the body help with growth, development, and metabolism. They also affect sexual function, reproduction, and mood.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow communication between nerve cells (neurons) and between neurons and target cells (like muscle or gland cells). The production and health of these neurotransmitters depend on the nutrients absorbed by the body.
The body requires 20 different amino acids to function correctly. Nine (9) of these amino acids are essential.
Essential amino acids can only be consumed through the intake of food. While the body makes several amino acids, essential amino acids cannot be manufactured within the body. Again, they can only be absorbed through the intake of certain foods.
With that said, certain non-essential amino acids are sometimes categorized as conditionally essential amino acids, or CEAAs.
Examples of these include arginine, glutamine, proline, tyrosine, glycine, and cysteine. The body can make them usually. However, when under physiological stress, this function can decline. In such a case, the body relies on external supplementation for these amino acids.
What Are The 9 Essential Amino Acids?
- Histidine: helps make a brain chemical (neurotransmitter called histamine.) Histamine plays a crucial role in immune function, digestion, sleep, and sexual function.
- Isoleucine: aids muscle metabolism and immune function, helps make hemoglobin, and regulates energy.
- Leucine: helps make protein and growth hormones. It is involved in the repair of muscle tissue, healing wounds, and regulating blood sugar levels.
- Lysine: aids in hormone production and immune function.
- Methionine: aids the body with tissue growth, metabolism, and detoxification. It also helps with the absorption of essential minerals.
- Phenylalanine: helps in the production of brain chemicals such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, which are hormones and neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are released in the adrenal glands. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of the emergency response system that alerts the body to danger. It’s essential to note that phenylalanine serves as a precursor to tyrosine. This is how it helps with the production of neurotransmitters.
- Threonine has several functions. It is vital to collagen and elastin, which ensure healthy skin and connective tissues, as well as aiding in blood clotting and immune functions.
- Tryptophan: Acts as a precursor to melatonin and serotonin. Tryptophan also plays a role in protein synthesis and nitrogen balance.
- Valine: involved in muscle growth and tissue regeneration.
These essential amino acids are found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Some foods contain one or two essential amino acids, which is why a variety of foods are needed, such as poultry, spinach, fish, seeds, and nuts, to mention a few. A variety of foods is needed daily to ensure that all essential amino acids are ingested.
The Results of Amino Acid Deficiency
There are genetic conditions that are related to amino acid deficiency. Some children have amino acid deficiencies. If this is the case, they often test and identify the issue during childhood.
In adults, amino acid deficiencies can lead to:
- Decreased immunity
- Digestive problems
- Depression
- Fertility issues
- Lower mental alertness
Some examples of conditions related to essential amino acid deficiencies:
- Older adults may be more prone to isoleucine deficiency. This deficiency may cause muscle wasting and shaking. Leucine deficiency can lead to skin rashes, hair loss, and fatigue.
- Insufficient protein digestion. This can cause problems with the body’s way to signal satiety. This can cause a person to eat too much, which leads to weight gain.
- Overuse of antacids: Low amino acid levels can result from overuse of antacids. This, too, can lead to overeating. Specific deficiencies in amino acids can cause stomach problems, heartburn, gas, and bloating.
- Too much of any amino acid can lead to other medical conditions. This is one example of a condition related to the body’s inability to break down/absorb/or control amino acid production.
When you exercise, it’s a good idea to increase your protein intake. This is general knowledge. The protein helps you recover more effectively.
With that said, some studies find that there’s no need to increase protein significantly. In one study, researchers focused on a 30-gram protein intake in a single meal. Beyond that 30-gram protein level, they did not find any additional benefits when they add more protein to a person’s diet.
Amino Acid IV Therapy
Many people opt to introduce more amino acids to their bodies through diet. There are also supplements that can give you access to essential amino acids. While these are useful, it’s important to note when IV therapy is the more appropriate choice.
Amino acid IV therapy is an option for people who have clinically low levels of these protein-building blocks. If you have signs of amino acid deficiencies, a good starting point is a couple of tests. This can help you get an understanding of your amino acid levels. Both essential and non-essential amino acid levels are important. This is due to the impact that physiological stress can sometimes have on the body’s ability to make non-essential amino acids.
People with clinically low levels may experience the health benefits of amino acids at a more noticeable level when they opt for IV therapy. In this therapy, an IV delivers amino acids to your blood circulatory system. You need to work closely with a healthcare provider. They can determine the best combination of amino acids. This ensures you can expect the health benefits of amino acids without risking major side effects.
How Can Androgenix Help?
Androgenix Solutions gives you access to a comprehensive care team. Our experts can help you identify low amino acid levels and implement a program to replenish them. The first step is to book your first consultation. We focus on creating personalized treatment programs. This ensures we take your specific amino acid levels into consideration. We can help you get the blood tests you need, and recommend alternative therapies when your amino acid levels are normal.
