Proteins are made up of various amino acids specific to the structure and function of the protein.  Proteins are the end product, amino acids their individual constituents.  Amino acids derive their specificity from the “R” group, seen on the left, with a white background.  (click on image for larger view)

While the body can make some of its own amino acids (non-essential), it depends on food for its daily supply of the others, referred to as essential amino acids.  A deficiency in, or imbalance (relative deficiency or excess) of, amino acids will affect your health negatively, manifesting in mild to severe, and sometimes life threatening, symptoms on the mental, emotional, and physical plane.

The body utilizes amino acids not only to build structure but also to support neural, vascular, digestive, hormonal, and many other functions.  Hence, a healthy amino acid balance is of vital importance to our health and well-being.

Amino acid therapy is widely used to correct mood disorders, speed up the recovery from injuries, surgery, severe trauma, extensive burn injuries, and serious illnesses, as well as to improve athletic performance, and to support general well being

Amino acid deficiency, as well as amino acids taken in excess, may cause serious harm to your health.  Please do not attempt to self treat.

Visit a clinical nutritionist or naturopathic doctor to determine the need for amino acid therapy.  He/she can derive a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs and guide you through the therapy for optimal results.

Below is a list of amino acids, essential and non-essential, as well as their major contributions to body structure and function. (click on any picture for larger image)

The essential amino acids are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.  All the rest are non-essential amino acids.

ARGININE–can be made by the body in adults but not in sufficient amounts in children

• supports and speeds up wound healing / tissue repair
• strengthens the immune system
• promotes the release of hormones
• helps to reduce blood pressure
• precursor to nitric oxide (NO)

HISTIDINE

• is a precursor to histamine, which stimulates chloric acid production in the stomach, vital for healthy digestion and protection from food-borne pathogens
• supports healthy growth and promotes tissue repair
• helps to maintain the integrity of the myelin sheaths that cover many neurons for speedy nerve conduction
• important for conversion of glucose into glycogen by the liver; hence, supports blood sugar regulation
• necessary for hemoglobin formation in red blood cells, as well as proper storage and movement of iron, thus helping to ward off anemia
• serves as an important antioxidant, and thus promotes cardiovascular health
• removal of heavy metals

ISOLEUCINE–( branched-chain amino acid)

• is necessary for hemoglobin formation
• helps to regulate blood sugar
• promotes muscle recovery after physical exercise
• provides fuel for muscle work

LEUCINE– (branched-chain amino acid)

• supports and speeds up tissue repair / wound healing
• is necessary for growth  hormone production
• helps to regulate blood sugar
• promotes muscle recovery after physical exercise

LYSINE

• supports healthy growth and bone development in children
• promotes calcium absorption
• important in the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
• supports and speeds up tissue repair
• provides fuel for muscle work

METHIONINE

• facilitates lipid (fat) metabolism –> healthy digestion, blood lipid regulation
• important in heavy metal detoxification
• is an important antioxidant

PHENYLALANINE

• is a precursor to tyrosine
• is potentially helpful for chronic pain, Parkinson’s, and mood disorders

Note:  Phenylketonuria, a potentially fatal condition, results form the inability to utilize (metabolize, breakdown, process) phenylalanine.  This treatable condition is diagnosed at birth with a mandatory PKU blood test.

THREONINE

• is a precursor to isoleucine
• it can be transformed by the body into glycine
• promotes healthy thymus growth and function, thus contributing to a healthy immune system
• participates in antibody formation to ward off infections and promote speedy recovery
• is important to lipid  (fat)metabolism and regulation

TRYPTOPHAN

• is a precursor to niacin (Vit B3) and serotonin (neurotransmitter)
• promotes mental health and well being
• is helpful for children/adults with ADHD
• facilitates sleep

VALINE–Y (branched amino acid)

• provides fuel for muscle work
• is vital for healthy muscle tissue and tissue repair
• is helpful with alcohol related liver damage and hepatic encephalopathy, as well as degenerative neurological illness

ALANINE

• supports glucose metabolism
• helps to maintain a healthy nitrogen balance via the alanine cycle
• is an important component of collagen

ASPARAGINE

• helps to keep the central nervous system (CNS) healthy
• helps you to maintain your equilibrium/balance
• plays an important role in changing one amino acid into another (transamination)

ASPARTIC ACID

• participates in the urea cycle of the liver and thus helps to maintain a healthy nitrogen balance
• participates in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism
• plays an important role in the citric acid cycle  (Krebs cycle) for energy production

CYSTEINE

• is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails
• participates in the collagen production for healthy connective tissue
• is a precursor for taurine to build healthy cell walls and myelin sheaths for neurons
• assists liver in detoxification via the glutathione pathways
• supports the metabolism of coenzyme A, heparin, biotin, lipoic acid, and glutathione

GLUTAMINE

• provides energy fuel for intestinal cells and thus promotes a healthy digestive system
• supports GABA production for mental health and to stabilize moods
• speeds up the recovery from muscle waisting during prolonged illness and post-surgery
• helps to maintain a healthy nitrogen balance
• supports a healthy acid/alkaline balance
• partcipates in DNA/RNA synthesis

GLUTAMIC ACID

• supports sugar and fat metabolism
• is an important excitatory neurotransmitter
• is used in the treatment of neurological illnesses

GLYCINE

• is an inhibitory neurotransmitter to alleviate hyperactivity, epilepsy, and manic depression
• participates in the production of other amino acids, nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), and bile
• is necessary for the conversion of glucose into energy
• necessary for healthy collagen formation, thus providing pliability and resilience to the connective tissue

PROLINE

• is an important component of collagen
• promotes connective tissue health — bones, joints, tendons, and skin
• helps to speed up recovery after injuries to the joints, tendons, and ligaments, as well as after severe burns to the skin

SERINE

• is necessary for the production of tryptophan, which helps to calm the nerves and promote sleep
• supports antibody and immunoglobulin production for a healthy immune system
• helps to maintain healthy cell membranes as part of the phospholipid bilayer
• participates in purine and pyrimidine metabolism
• an important component in the myelination of nerves, and thus nerve conduction

TYROSINE

• is a precursor to epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine
• is used to treat mood disorders, Parkinson’s, narcolepsy,mental/emotional stresss
• is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone
• is a precursor to melanin and thus important for skin, hair, and eye pigmentation

ORNITHINE (not a protein building block)

• participates in the urea cycle of the liver to help flush out excess nitrogen from protein breakdown
• as an importent component of the urea cycle it facilitates arginine biosynthesis
• release of growth hormones and insulin
• promotes skin and tissue repair via arginine biosynthesis

TAURINE (not a protein building block)

• is a component of bile for healthy fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
• stabilizes the sensitive cell membranes of the heart, nerves, and blood platelets
• is used in the treatment of mood disorders, epilepsy
• supports the healthy development of the brain and eyes, as well as growth
• binds to chemicals, medications, and other toxins in the liver, helping to flush them out of the body