Amino Acid Benefits:
*Supports bodily proteins
*Delivers essential & non-essential amino acids
*Builds & repairs muscles
*Protects against muscle degeneration
Amino Acid Functions
Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein, which makes them the building blocks of the body. There are two different types of proteins, functional proteins and structural proteins. Functional proteins include insulin and thyroid hormones, digestive enzymes, and antibodies. Structural proteins can be found in bones, connective tissue, muscle, and in cell walls. Amino acids, however, are used in more than just proteins. Another type of molecule that uses amino acids is the amino neurotransmitter (a chemical that sends electrical nerve impulses in the brain).
Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids are those that the body is not capable of producing. This means that the body must get them for other sources, either from supplements or food. Non-essential amino acids are those the body can produce, but they can still be obtained through other sources.
Essential Amino Acids:
Leucine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Methionine (and its related compound cystine), Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine
(Histidine is essential in infants)
Non-Essential Amino Acids:

Alanine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Serine, Tyrosine
Amino Acid Importance
Sometimes there is an increased need for certain types of proteins. If those proteins are high in one particular amino acid, then the need for that amino acid may also increase, and may not be fulfilled by diet alone. During periods of growth, the body needs more amino acids from proteins. These times of growth include infancy and pregnancy, and while breast feeding, healing from burns, recovering from weight loss, or in building new muscle through exercise.
Other Amino Acid Uses
Proteins, which contain amino acids, are a vital part of our diets. Amino acids, essential and non-essential, are critical for the body’s structural components, including the bones, muscles, and connective tissue. Amino acids are also important for the healthy functioning of the body’s hormones and other chemicals. The range of therapeutic uses of amino acids remains somewhat limited, but it is likely that the uses will continue to grow as we learn more about the varying roles that amino acids play in maintaining our health.
List of Amino Acids & Uses
* Arginine – boosts sperm count and support protein metabolism.
* Beta-Alanine – decreases muscle fatigue, boosts endurance and strengthen gains.
* Glutamine – minimizes muscle tissue breakdown and improves protein metabolism.
* Lysine - used to treat recurrent cold sores and herpes infections.
* Phenylalanine –used to treat pain and depression.
* Tryptophan –researched more thoroughly than any other type of amino acids. The level of tryptophan in the blood has been linked to arthritis, and high levels of tryptophan can also be found in people with jaundice. Tryptophan has been used to treat depression, particularly in people who are also experiencing issues with sleep. Oral contraceptives that contain estrogen have been known to interfere with the normal metabolism of tryptophan. This may be due to estrogen’s effect on vitamin B6, which itself is crucial for converting tryptophan to serotonin.
* Histidine - used to treat rheumatoid arthritis because people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis often show low levels of histidine.
* Tyrosine - like tryptophan and phenylalanine, tyrosine has been used to help treat depression. People suffering from depression often have low levels of dopamine and noradrenalin. Tyrosine is critical for the synthesis of substances called catecholamine, and catecholamine includes the compounds dopamine and noradrenalin.
