Amino Acids and Your Health

Feeling run down even though you are exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet with a variety of whole foods?  Well, you’re not alone in feeling that way,  and healthy help is readily available.  Yes, there is a much better energy boost out there than caffeine or energy drinks–Amino Acids.  Amino Acids, organic compounds, are able to not only fuel your body naturally throughout the day but they boost your mood naturally, too.

What are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are called the building blocks of proteins because they are the molecules that all living things need for the body to produce protein.  We need twenty particular amino acids in order for our bodies to function properly.  The body makes eleven of the necessary amino acids.  The other nine are called the essential amino acids, and we get them in the foods we eat.

Amino Acids:

  • Break down food
  • Grow and repair body tissue
  • Make hormones and brain chemicals (neurotransmitters
  • Provide an energy source
  • Maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails
  • Build muscle
  • Boost the immune system
  • Sustain a normal digestive system

What Are The Essential Amino Acids?

Phenylalanine: plays an integral role in the production of other amino acids.  It is also essential in the structure and function of other enzymes and proteins.  This amino acid turns into the neurotransmitters–tyrosine, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

Valine: is one of the three-branched amino acids (BCAAS) on the list.  Branched amino acids have a chain growing off of one side of their molecular structure.  Valine helps with energy production, muscle growth, and muscle regeneration.

Threonine: is an important part of structural proteins, like collagen and elastin.  It not only plays an important role in the skin and connective tissue, but it also plays an important role in immune function and fat metabolism.

Tryptophan: is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates appetite, mood and sleep.  It is often associated with drowsiness.

Methionine: is necessary for tissue growth and the absorption of zinc and selenium.  It is also important in metabolism and detoxification.

Leucine: is a BCAA that is vital for protein synthesis and muscle repair.  It also produces growth hormone, regulates blood sugar, and stimulates wound healing.

Isoleucine: is also a BCAA and is heavily concentrated in muscle tissue and is part of muscle metabolism.  It is also important to energy regulation, hemoglobin production, and for immune protection.

Lysine: plays a vital role in many ways.  It helps with calcium absorption, protein synthesis, energy production, and immune function.  It is also is essential to the production of hormones and enzymes and the production of collagen and elastin.

Histidine: maintains the protective sheath of myelin that surrounds the nerve cells.  It also produces histamine, a neurotransmitter that is needed for immune response, sexual and digestive function, and sleep-wake cycles regulation.

What Are The Non-Essential Amino Acids?

Non-essential are made by the body but are also found in our diet and food.  They are just as important to our bodies as the others.

Non-essential amino acids:

Alanine: helps metabolize and clear toxins from the body.

Asparagine: for healthy brain cells and central nervous system support.

Aspartic Acid: produces other amino acids and essential enzymes.

Arginine: boosts nitric oxide for better blood pressure and blood flow.

Cysteine: stimulates collagen production and makes the antioxidant glutathione.

Glutamic Acid: provides energy for the brain and keeps ammonia levels in check.

Glutamine: is for digestion, cognitive function, and immune health.

Glycine: heals wounds and aids in movement, vision, and hearing.

Proline: repairs tissues and regenerates skin.

Serine: for muscle metabolism, fat burning, immune health and positive mood.

Tyrosine: helps alleviate depression, hypertension, and chronic pain. 

How Do I Ensure I Am Getting All of The Essential Amino Acids?

All of the essential amino acids are available with a varied diet of healthy foods.  Foods that contain all nine essential amino acids are called complete proteins.

The foods that are complete proteins are meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.  Soy and pea protein are plant based complete proteins.  While other plant proteins, such as nuts, beans, and certain grains are not complete proteins, they can be combined together to make a complete protein.  Combine legumes and whole grains such as rice and beans, lentils and barley, or peanut butter on 100% wheat bread.

What Does Amino Acid Deficiency Look Like?

If you are having trouble gaining weight or building muscle, your problem might be an inadequate amount of amino acids at work in your body. Amino acids work naturally in the brain to promote a healthy brain chemistry Anemia is a major health problem that can be caused or worsened by a lack of the proper amino acids.  Amino acids are essential for maintaining high energy and a positive mind set.  Once again, taking a single amino acid to help with your mood, may upset the balance of essential amino acids in the blood.   This imbalance can cause further problems.  This is why it’s important to seek professional medical advice to ensure you are protecting yourself against imbalances.

How can Androgenix Help?

If you want to live your best life, the medical practitioners at Androgenix are here to help. If you have any questions about amino acids add any possible deficiencies due to diet, stress, or life situations, please contact us with your questions.   If you are concerned about how to ensure you are giving your body what it needs to be at its best or have any other concerns about any areas of your health, please contact our office and make an appointment with our staff to get a complete blood work-up and a physical examination. Our staff of caring healthcare practitioners are here to answer your questions and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.  You will be monitored by our team for treatment effectiveness and side effects of any recommended treatment on a regular basis.   Our team at Androgenix is always here to support your journey to a better, healthier, and happier you.

 

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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.