Thread: Amino Acids and what each one does:

Not from any website in particular, but more a collection from various sources that i've saved and put together in one....

Isoleucine

- A branched chain amino acid readily taken up and used for energy by muscle tissue.
- Used to prevent muscle wasting in debilitated individuals
- Essential in the formation of hemoglobin

Leucine

- A branched chain amino acid used as a source of energy
- Helps reduce muscle protein breakdown
- Modulates uptake of neurotransmitter precursors by the brain as well as the release of enkephalins, which inhibit the passage of pain signals into the nervous system.
- Promotes healing of skin and broken bones.

Valine

- A branched chain amino acid
- Not processed by the liver; rather actively taken up by muscle
- Influences brain uptake of other neurotransmitter precursors (trptophan, phenylalanine and tryosine).
- Needed for muscle metabolism and tissue repair
- Necessary for proper nitrogen balance in the body
- Can be used as an energy source by muscles

Histadine

- One of the major ultraviolet absorbing compounds in the skin
- Important in the production of red and white blood cells; used in the treatment of anemia
- Used in the treatment of allergic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and digestive ulcers.
- Important for the maintenance of the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve cells. (any shaking-type disease would benefit)
- Helps with sexual arousal

Lysine

- Low levels can slow protein synthesis, affecting muscle and connective tissue
- Inhibits viruses; used in the treatment of herpes simplex
- Lysine and Vitamin C together form L-carnitine, a biochemical that enables muscle tissue to use oxygen more efficiently, delaying fatigue
- Aids bone growth by helping form collagen, the fibrous protein that makes up bone, cartilage and other connective tissue.
- Good for those recovering from surgery and sports injuries
- Helps maintain proper nitrogen balance
- Helps prevent fertility problems
- Used in the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes
- Helps with calcium absorption

Methionine

- Precursor of cystine and creatine
- May increase antioxidant levels (glutathione) and reduce blood cholesterol levels.
- Helps remove toxic wastes from the liver and assists in the regeneration of liver and kidney tissue
- Supplies sulfur to the body
- Used for the treatment of AIDS patients
- Used in the treatment of pancreatitis
- Assists in the breakdown of fats
- Helps to prevent brittle hair
- Beneficial for those with osteoporosis
- Helps with chemical allergies, rheumatic fever, and pregnancy toxemia
- Required for synthesis of nucleic acid formation and for collagen formation
- Used for schizophrenia (it decreases histamine in the body)
- Needed for the synthesis of Taurine and Cysteine

Phenylalanine

- The major precursor of tyrosine
- Enhances learning, memory, mood and alertness
- Promotes sexual arousal
- Used in the treatment of some types of depression
- Is a major element in the production of collagen
- Used for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Reduces hunger and cravings for food
- Used for alcohol withdrawal support
- Used for vitiligo
- Used for menstrual cramps, migraines, and other pain
- Used for migraine pain, neuralgia and leg cramps

Threonine

- One of the amino detoxifers
- Helps prevent fatty buildup in the liver
- Important in the formation of collagen and elastin
- Generally low in vegetarians
- Maintains proper protein balance in the body
- Enhances immune system by aiding in the production of antibodies

Tryptophan

- Precursor of key neurotransmitter serotonin, which exerts a calming effect
- Used by the brain to produce serotonin
- Stimulates the release of growth hormones
- Free form of this amino acid is unavailable in the U.S.
- It is only available in natural food sources
- Necessary for the production of B3 (Niacin) in the body
- Responsible for normal sleep
- Helps combat depression and insomnia
- Helps control hyperactivity in children
- Alleviates stress
- Good for migraine headaches
- Helps decrease sensitivity to pain

Arginine

- Can increase secretion of insulin, glucagon, growth hormones
- Stimulates pancreas to release insulin
- Aids in injury rehabilitation, formation of collagen and immune system stimulation.
- Precursor of creatine, gamma amino butric acid (GABA, a neurotransmitter in the brain)
- May increase sperm count and T-lymphocyte response
- Retards growth of tumors and cancer
- Enhances immune function
- Increases size and activity of the thymus gland
- Aids in liver detoxification by neutralizing ammonia
- Helpful in the healing/repair of skin and connective tissue
- Maintains proper nitrogen balance
- Helps in the release of growth hormone
- Aids in building new bone and collagen

Cysteine AND Cystine

- Note: Cysteine is very unstable and converts easily to Cystine
- Contributes to strong connective4e tissue and tissue antioxidant actions
- Aids in healing processes, stimulates white blood cell activity and helps diminish pain from inflammation
- Essential for the formation of skin and hair
- Detoxifies harmful chemicals in combination with L-aspartic acid and L-citruline
- Helps prevent damage from alcohol and tobacco use
- Stimulates white blood cell activity
- Important for strong nails, skin and hair
- Aids in the production of collagen
- Promotes healing after surgeries and burns
- Helps iron to absorb into the body (binds it)
- Helps to break down mucus (so used for bronchitis, emphysema and tuberculosis)

Tyrosine

- Precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, as well as thyroid and growth hormones and melanin (the pigment responsible for skin and hair color).
- Helps with normal function of adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands
- Elevates mood
- Helps protect the skin against radiation because it is a key component of melanin
- Helps suppress appetite and reduce body fat
- Helpful for chronic fatigue and narcolepsy

Alanine

- Major component of connective tissue
- Key intermediate in the glucose alanine cycle, which allows muscles and other tissues to derive energy from amino acids
- Aids in metabolism of glucose
- Helps build up the immune system

Aspartic Acid

- Helps convert carbohydrates into muscle energy
- Builds immune system immunoglobulins and antibodies
- Reduces ammonia levels after exercises
- Increases stamina
- Good for fatigue
- Vital role in metabolism

Glutamic Acid

- A major precursor of glutamine, proline, ornothine, arginine, glutathione, and GABA
- A potential source of energy
- Important in brain metabolism and metabolism of other amino acids.
- The prostate gland secretions are high in glutamic acid so it can be used as a treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Important in the metabolism of sugars and fats
- The brain uses glutamic acid as fuel
- Used in the treatment of epilepsy, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, ulcers, and hypoglycemic coma

Glutamine

- Most abundant amino acid
- Plays a key role in immune system functions
- An important source of energy, especially for kidneys and intestines during caloric restrictions.
- A brain fuel that is an aid to memory and a stimulant to intelligence and concentration
- Involved in many metabolic processes (more than any other amino acid)
- Converted to glucose when needed
- Used for tissue damage due to radiation treatments for cancer
- Used for epilepsy, fatigue, impotence, schizophrenia, senility and developmental disabilities
- Used for alcohol withdrawal support. Helps to decrease craving
- Used for HIV support
- Used for gastritis, peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis

Glycine

- Aids in the manufacture of other amino acids and is a part of the structure of hemoglobin and cytochromes (enzymes involved in energy production)
- Has a calming effect and is sometimes used to treat manic depressive and aggressive individuals
- Produces glucagon, which mobilizes glycogen
- Can inhibit sugar cravings
- Maintains health of prostate gland
- Necessary for Central Nervous System function, used for spastic activity like that of Multiple Sclerosis and progressive Muscular Dystrophy
- Used for the treatment of hypoglycemia (stimulates glucagon release)
- Used to treat low pituitary function

Ornithine

- May help increase growth hormone secretion in high doses
- Aids in immune and liver function
- Promotes healing
- Detoxifies ammonia

Proline

- A major component in the formation of connective tissue and heart muscle
- Readily mobilized for muscular energy
- Major constituent of collagen

Serine

- Important in cells' energy production
- Aids memory and nervous system function
- Helps builds up immune system by producing immuno-globulins and antibodies
- Used in cosmetics for its natural moisturizing capabilities

Taurine

- Aids in the absorption and elimination of fats
- May act as a neurotransmitter in some areas of the brain and retina
- Used for edema and hypoglycemia
- Vital for the proper utilization of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium
- Used to treat anxiety, poor brain function and seizures

Carnitine

- Increases the use of fat as an energy source
- Helps with diabetes by helping to use fats
- Inhibits alcohol-induced fatty liver
- Lessens the risk of heart disorders
- Aids in weight loss

Citrulline

- Stimulates the Immune system
- Metabolized to form L-Arginine
- Detoxifies ammonia

Very handy info MO, thanks.

Good info MO.

So is that the total amount of Aminos or is there more?

Add Carnitine to that list...

Many proven benefits, one being as a transporter of long chain fats,
can be good for those looking to drop slight body fat.

Thanks.
Carnitine and also Citrulline, added.

Nice list MO.

Great list MO... Will be a good reference point...