What are Amino Acids and their Functions

Amino acids are most commonly referred to as the building blocks of proteins. The chemical reactions that take place in the human body are facilitated by enzymes that are made up of these acids. They are responsible for transporting nutrients throughout the body via the bloodstream. There are a total of 22 amino acids. Of these, nine are classified as essential amino acids. These cannot be produced within the body. They must be obtained through diet.

THE 9 ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS AND THEIR MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE:

Valine - Valine works to regenerate muscle tissue in the body and to stimulate its growth. It is also instrumental in energy production.

Tryptophan - Tryptophan is necessary for the body to maintain a healthy nitrogen balance. It also assists in the function of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates sleep, mood, and appetite.

Lysine - This amino acid is important for proper protein synthesis, calcium absorption, and enzyme and hormone production. Lysine also plays a role in the production of elastin and collagen, along with energy production and regulation.

Leucine - Leucine plays a role in muscle repair and protein synthesis. Facilitates the healing of wounds, assists in the regulation of blood sugar levels, and produces necessary growth hormones.

Histidine - Produces the neurotransmitter histamine which is necessary for healthy digestion, Circadian rhythms, effective response of the immune system and healthy sexual functioning. Helps to create and maintain strong myelin sheaths, the protective barriers surrounding nerve cells.

Isoleucine - Essential to healthy muscle metabolism, Isoleucine is found in heavy concentrations in muscle tissue. It also plays an important role in hemoglobin production, proper functioning of the immune system, and the regulation of energy.

Methionine - Essential for detoxification and healthy metabolism, Methionine is necessary for the body to be able to properly absorb selenium and zinc as well as for tissue development and growth.

Threonine - This amino acid is an integral part of the body's structural proteins such as elastin and collagen, essential components of connective tissue in the skin. It also assists in the proper functioning of the immune system and the effective metabolism of fat.

Phenylalamine - The initial building block of neurotransmitters epinephrine, dopamine, tyrosine, and norepinephrine. It is important in the development and function of enzymes and proteins.

OTHER AMINO ACIDS CLASSIFIED AS NON-ESSENTIAL INCLUDE:

5-HTP - 5-HTP, also known as 5-Hydroxytryptophan, is instrumental in the production of serotonin, the chemical that is responsible for relaying messages to nerve cells.

L-Arginine - Necessary for heart and blood health, this amino acid is also helpful in preventing colds, boosting the immune system, regulating blood pressure during pregnancy, and healthy kidney function. It assists in expediting the healing process of wounds. Studies have shown that L-Arginine is also helpful in relieving migraine headaches.

L-Carnitine - L-Carnitine is instrumental in the body's production of energy. It transports fatty acids to the mitochondria of the cells, where they are burned as fuel to create energy. This amino acid can be produced by the human body naturally or obtained through a diet that includes fish and/or red meat.

L-Glutamine - L-Glutamine is the most abundant of all of these types of compounds in the human body. It helps to prevent inflammation and infection and works to help boost energy levels naturally.

L-Glutathione - This amino acid is produced by the liver. L-Glutathione is actually a combination of a trio of amino acids: L-Glutamate, L-Cysteine, and glycine. It stimulates the immune system and provides healthy antioxidant effects. It hs also shown promising results in studies involving the treatment of colitis, asthma, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Parkinson's disease.

L-Lysine - L-Lysine aids in the body's absorption of calcium, healing from injuries, and building healthy muscle proteins. It also works to block the formation of cold sores and fever blisters resulting from the Herpes simplex virus, enhances physical strength, and relieves symptoms related to a number of metabolic disorders.

L-Methionine - L-Methionine is important to the body's metabolism. It contains sulfur which aids in the development of collagen, which is necessary for the development of healthy hair, nails, and skin. It also works to boost the immune system by acting as an antioxidant. One very important benefit is that it produces S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe), a compound effective in the treatment of liver issues, psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal problems, and infertility. Currently, studies are being conducted into the effectiveness of this amino acid in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

L-Phenylalanine - This amino acid has been shown to have positive results in the treatment of skin disorders, pain, and depression. This amino acid is produced in part by the body, but not in sufficient amounts. It must also be obtained through plant and animal sources in the diet. The body must have L-Phenylalanine in order to create proteins and other necessary molecules, including dopamine, epinephrine, tyrosine, and norepinephrine.

L-Proline - L-Proline is essential to the body's ability to synthesize proteins. It is also necessary for the body to produce collagen and to build healthy cells. It strengthens the body's immune system and helps to heal certain spine and joint disorders.

L-Theanine - This is an amino acid that has shown positive effects in preventing Alzheimer's disease, improving attention, focus, and mental performance. L-Theanine helps to regulate blood pressure, fight off the flu, and increase the effectiveness of cancer drugs while decreasing their undesirable side effects.

L-Tyrosine - L-Tyrosine is created by another amino acid, phenylalanine. While it is not an essential amino acid, L-Tyrosine can be obtained from a diet including eggs, meat, fish, beans, oats, nuts, and dairy products. It works to improve mental clarity and alertness, focus and concentration, and learning retention.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) - This amino acid works to protect the system from the harmful effects of environmental pollutants such as chloroform, carbon monoxide, urethanes, and some herbicides. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine works to reduce the toxicity of doxorubicin and ifosfamide, which are medications used in the treatment of cancer. It also prevents kidney damage caused by some X-ray dyes, and in preventing the HIV virus. It binds toxic types of acetaminophen that forms within the liver by binding them and rendering them ineffective.

Taurine - One compound that is referred to as an amino acid but is actually a sulfonic acid is taurine. It is also referred to as a conditional amino acid. It is not an essential amino acid. Dietary sources of taurine include fish and meat. It is helpful in the regulation of blood pressure, the treatment of the effects of congestive heart failure, hepatitis, cystic fibrosis, high cholesterol, autism, and seizure disorders.

Cysteine - Cysteine is helpful in decreasing the negative effects of cancer treatment drugs. It protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of asthma and other respiratory problems.

Glutamine - The amino acid glutamine plays an important role in the body's intestinal health. It is also instrumental in keeping the immune system strong. Glutamine acts to protect the body's necessary proteins. It keeps toxins and unhealthy bacteria from entering the intestines.

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