Amino acids

Amino acids

What are amino acids? What are essential amino acids?

As protein building blocks, amino acids are the basis of all bodily structures. Bones, muscles, skin, mucous membranes, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters in the brain, immunoglobulins: all of these are made up of amino acids and are thus a very important factor for our well-being. Moreover, amino acids can also contribute to energy production. Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body itself, thus, it is necessary to supply them.

There is no life possible without amino acids

Every second 2.5 million new red blood cells
 every 28 days the skin is completely renewed
 every 7 years a new human being!
20 amino acids are the building blocks for 100 trillion cells!

The human body cannot build these structures since only one amino acid is missing.

Amino acids are not acidic – of the 20 amino acids,  15 are neutral, 3 are basic and only 2 are acidic.

Specific tasks of the individual amino acids

Essential amino acids

Must be supplied to the organism.

Arginine

Precursor of NO (nitric oxide), its discoverer in 1998 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. NO serves as a signal for the cardiovascular system, it dilates blood vessels. NO plays an important role in fighting against infections and in the control of the nervous system. Stimulates secretion of growth hormone

BCAAs [Branched Chain Amino Acids] – leucine, isoleucine, valine:

  • Increase protein synthesis in muscles
  • Prevent muscle breakdown
  • Can mobilize glucose for energy recovery

Tryptophan

  • Acts as an antidepressant
  • Precursor of:
    • Neurotransmitter serotonin
    •  
    • Melatonin (regulates day/night cycle)
    • Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Phenylalanine

Precursor of:

  • Tyrosine
  • Melanin (pigmentation)
  • Cholecystokinin (is stimulated by phenylalanine and acts as appetite suppressant)

Involved in the synthesis of catecholamines (stress hormones)

Methionine

  • Marks the start of each protein synthesis
-Establishes the structures
  • Detoxification of metals

Histidine

  • Precursor of histamine
  • Adjusts acid/base balance
  • Detoxifies heavy metals
  • Component of carnosine and the red blood pigment

Threonine

  • Forms important layer of mucus in the digestive tract
  • Regulates muscle contraction
  • Main component in important enzymes

Lysine

  • Building block for collagen (bones, connective tissue)
  • Component of carnitine
  • Effective against herpes, migraine, stress

Non-essential amino acids

Can be formed from the essential amino acids

Tyrosine

  • Precursor of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and thyroxin
  • Stress management
  • Immune system

Cysteine

  • As a component of glutathione, it is an important antioxidant
  • important component of enzymes
  • detoxifying effect

Serine

  • Enzyme reactions
  • Protein synthesis
  • Component of the nerve cell
  • Phospholipids (phosphatidylserine)
  • Glycine
  • Building block of:
    • Collagen
    • Glutathione
    • Hemoglobin
    • Creatine
    • DNA, RNA
  • Can provide glucose
  • Neurotransmitter in the brain

Asparagine

  • Link to the carbohydrate portion in glycoproteins
  • Makes aquaporins (entry points through the cell wall)

Aspartic acid

  • Messenger in the brain
  • Detoxifies ammonia
  • Generates energy through the citric acid cycle

Glutamic acid

  • Messenger in the brain
  • Antioxidant (glutathione)
  • Detoxification via glutamine
  • precursor of GABA

Glutamine

  • Brain neurotransmitter
  • Transports nitrogen
  • Responsible for protein synthesis
  • Energy metabolism
  • Supports the immune system
  • Antioxidant

Alanine

  • Important muscle building block
  • precursor of vitamin B5
  • prostate
  • immune system
  • component of carnosine

Proline

  • Building block for
skin, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, cartilage,
bone,
joints,
  • Can quickly mobilize glucose

Three outsiders

They are involved in metabolic functions but, in contrast to the “real” amino acids, they do not function as building blocks of proteins

Taurine

  • Antioxidant
  • Stabilizes cell membranes
  • Aids in fat digestion

Ornithine

  • Detoxification of ammonia
  • Stimulates the secretion of growth hormone

Citrulline

  • Detoxification of ammonia

 

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Determine the amino acid demands – Check your current status

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