Amino Acids - General Information

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which not only provide much of the structure of the body, but also the enzymes that make life possible. Proteins are formed from amino acids and cannot exist nor carry out their work without the proper combination of these compounds. Amino acids are important because after water, protein is the second most plentiful substance in the human body.

There are approximately twenty-nine commonly known amino acids that account for the hundreds of different types of proteins present in all living things. The liver produces about 80 percent of the needed amino acids; the remaining 20 percent must be obtained from outside sources. Amino acids can be classified as essential, non-essential or semi-essential.

* Essential amino acids are those that cannot be made within the body and must be obtained through dietary sources. The essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
* Non-essential amino acids are those that can be made internally by the body. They are aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine.
* Semi-essential amino acids, like Arginine and histidine, do not fall perfectly into either the essential or the non-essential categories. They become essential during times of growth, when the body cannot produce them in adequate amounts.

Amino acids are referred to by their prefixes L- (for levorotatory, or "left-handed"), or D- (for dextrorotatory, or "right-handed"), indicating slight differences in molecular structure. L-series amino acids are in the same form as amino acids in plant and animal tissue, and are much more common than either the D- form or the mixed DL- form.

Arginine

Arginine is considered a semi-essential amino acid, as it does not fall perfectly into the essential or non-essential categories. Arginine can be made in the body at adequate levels for maintenance in adults. It may not, however, be produced quickly enough during periods of growth, and is considered essential at those times.

Arginine is essential in muscle metabolism because it provides a vehicle for transport, storage and excretion of nitrogen. L-arginine is an important component in tissue generation and regeneration. It is highly concentrated in the skin and connective tissue and helps to remove ammonia from the body as part of the urea cycle.

It also stimulates certain glands, particularly the thymus and the pituitary and because the pituitary secretes growth hormone, arginine is required for normal growth. Due to its role in growth, it has become very popular among athletes interested inmuscle-building and fat-burning.

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are L-Leucine, L-isoleucine and L-Valine. Muscle tissue is largely composed of these three amino acids, which are used for energy production and protein synthesis. BCAAs are also involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters - natural chemicals in the brain that influence mood and mental function.

L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is actually a Dipeptide - an amino acid made up of two other essential amino acids, methionine and lysine. L-Carnitine is important for fat metabolism, especially in the heart and muscle cells. It is also necessary for the transport of long chain fatty acids into cell mitochondria where the acids are oxidised and burned for energy.

Go to the Carnitine products

L-Cysteine

L-Cysteine is a sulphur-bearing amino acid with antioxidant properties. It is synthesised internally, but requires vitamin B6 for this to take place.
It helps to break down harmful toxins, thereby protecting and preserving the cells. In its antioxidant role, cysteine works best when alongside the antioxidants selenium and Vitamin E. Along with selenium, it is an important cofactor in the formation of glutathione peroxidase, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Without proper levels of cysteine, the body is not able to produce the amino acid glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in its own right.

L-Cysteine is also important for keratin synthesis, a protein found in the hair, skin and nails. It also plays a role in energy metabolism and fatty acid synthesis.

Glutamine

Glutamine is a major fuel source for the brain and the entire body. It is found in the cerebral cortex and in various regions of the brain. The concentration of glutamine in the blood is three to four times greater than all other amino acids. It is changed by the body into glutamic acid. L-Glutamine has also been shown to be essential for immune function.

L-Glutathione (GSH)

L-Glutathione (GSH) is a sulphur-bearing peptide formed from the linking of three amino acids: glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is the major antioxidant within cells. GSH is an important amino acid for brain function because it regulates cell activity and works as a fuel required for mental alertness and clarity of thinking.
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Glycine

Glycine possesses natural antacid and sweetener properties and is involved in the making of DNA, phospholipids and collagen. Glycine also improves the storage of glycogen (carbohydrates stored in the liver and blood stream) thereby enhancing the process of energy production.

L-Histidine

L-Histidine plays a major role in growth and tissue reparation and aids in the production of red and white blood cells. It forms histamine, which is released by cells as an immune response. Both children and adults can synthesise some histidine in their bodies, but most histidine comes from the diet. It is considered a semi-essential amino acid.

L-Lysine

L-Lysine is important for growth, tissue repair and the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies. It is also involved in the regulation of the absorption of calcium and the maintenance of nitrogen balance within the body. L-Lysine is needed for the formation of collagen, the protein that forms the matrix of bone, cartilage and connective tissue.

L-Methionine

L-Methionine functions as a building block for proteins and so has many functions in the body. Composed partly of sulphur, methionine promotes hair growth and maintains the health of the nails and skin. As a lipotropic agent, it helps prevent the build up of excess fat in the liver by increasing the production of lecithin.

L-Ornithine

L-Ornithine is produced in the urea cycle and along with arginine and carnitine triggers the release of growth hormones, thus encouraging muscle building. These actions also support the immune system and the liver.

L-Phenylalanine

L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that is used to manufacture various hormones including adrenaline and noradrenaline. It is a precursor to the amino acid, tyrosine and is important for the production of chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters.

DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine)

DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine) is a mixture of the natural form of phenylalanine (the L form) and its mirror image (the D form). DLPA may have the unique ability to block certain enzymes (enkephalinase) in the central nervous system that are normally responsible for breaking down natural morphine-like hormones called endorphins and enkephalins.

Taurine

Taurine is a simple sulphur-containing compound and is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body. It plays a variety of roles in the functioning of the brain, heart, gallbladder, eyes and vascular system. One of its basic functions is to facilitate the passage of sodium, potassium and magnesium ions into and out of cells and to electrically stabilise the cell membranes.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and is used to make niacin, the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin. Due to its connections with serotonin, tryptophan is indirectly involved with mood enhancement and the regulation of sleep patterns.

Tyrosine

Tyrosine is a constituent of amino sugars and amino lipids, which have important roles throughout the body. It is important to brain nutrition as it is a precursor of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenaline. It is also an important part of peptides, such as enkephalins, which serve as pain relievers in the brain. Tyrosine is the precursor for hormones such as thyroid hormone and is needed to manufacture the pigment, melanin.