Amino acids

What are amino acids?

Twenty percent of the human body is made up of protein. Protein plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes and amino acids are the building blocks of it. A large proportion of our cells, muscles and tissue is made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. They also play a key role in the transport and the storage of nutrients. Amino acids have an influence on the function of organs, glands, tendons and arteries. They are furthermore essential for healing wounds and repairing tissue, especially in the muscles, bones, skin and hair as well as for the removal of all kinds of waste deposits produced in connection with the metabolism. Continue

 

What types of amino acids are there?

Amino acids are organic compounds which contain at least one amino group (-NH2) and a carboxy (-COOH) group. In the human genome, 20 amino acids are created to build proteins and therefore termed proteinogen. Besides this, there are approximately 250 amino acids which do not form proteins. These are used to form sugar for example. Continue  

 

The effects of amino acids

Research over recent years has shown that amino acids have been useful against diabetes, osteoporosis, heart trouble, metabolic disorders, erectile dysfunction and also anti-aging and also menopausal complaints, to name but a few. That was the message from the international symposium of the Society for Applied Amino Acid Research in Treatment and Practice held in 2005 and attended by one hundred scientists from six different nations. Even though studies show that the effects of amino acids are positive, they are still not properly recognized in the field of medical science in Europe. Continue

  

Arginine

Arginine, or L-arginine as it is called with its L-structure, is a semi-essential amino acid. Arginine is involved in many metabolic processes and important in the treatment of heart diseases and high blood pressure. Arginine improves the circulation, strengthens the immune system and has a positive influence on male libido. Continue

  

Carnitine

The naturally-occurring, chemical compound carnitine, or L-carnitine, is technically speaking, not an amino acid. It is actually a dipeptide made from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. It is therefore often classed as a conditionally essential amino acid. Continue

  

Glutamine

The amino acids glutamine and glutamic acid are closely related in a chemical sense. The human body is able to produce L-glutamine itself, from L-glutamic acid through the glutamate ammonium ligase. Considering the numerous metabolic processes glutamine is a part of, it is not surprising that it is the amino acid with the highest concentration in blood plasma, musculature and cerebral and spinal fluid. Continue

 

Methionine

When in its natural L-form, methionine is a proteinogen amino acid. It is classed as an essential amino acid and cannot be synthesized by the body itself. This means that a sufficient supply of methionine in the diet or as a dietary supplement is of particular importance. Continue

  

Ornithine

Ornithine is a non-proteinogen amino acid that plays a central role in the urea cycle. Ornithine can be changed to L-arginine through in the production of urea. It assists in detoxification and therefore contributes to liver health. Continue

 

Taurine

Taurine is a byproduct of the sulphurous amino acids cysteine and methionine. Contrary to common belief, Taurine is in itself not an amino acid in the scientific sense, as it does not contain a carboxy group. It is therefore in fact an amino sulphonic acid. Continue