What are amino acids needed for?
Proteins are required for enzymes, tissue structures, hormones, and antibodies in the body. Proteins consist of amino acids, of which the body requires 20 different types. Proteins can only be built when all required amino acids are available. Nine amino acids are essential, meaning they must be obtained from the diet. The remaining eleven can be synthesized in the body from carbon- and nitrogen-containing compounds or formed from essential amino acids.
Amino acids form the majority of the body’s structures, such as blood, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and muscles. The essential amino acids for the body are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Below are the effects of amino acids on the body:
- Histidine: Helps prevent joint inflammation. Binds heavy metals, aiding in their removal.
- Proline: An essential component of collagen; supports joint repair and tissue healing.
- Glycine: Acts as a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. Prevents cramps. Aids wound healing and muscle repair.
- Threonine: Boosts immunity. Essential for proper digestive function.
- Aspartic acid: Important for circulation and heart function. Plays a role in neurotransmission.
- Alanine: Required for white blood cell production. Functions in the glucose-alanine cycle between the liver and muscles.
- Leucine: Particularly important for maintaining muscle mass in older animals.
- Cysteine: Forms glutathione, an important antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress. Helps detoxification by binding heavy metals.
- Valine: Has been shown in animal studies, together with leucine, to help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Methionine: Required as part of collagen; strengthens skin, hair, mane, tail, and hooves. Helps alleviate allergies.
- Isoleucine: Needed for muscle growth, among other functions.
- Phenylalanine: Precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Elevates mood and improves memory. Helps relieve pain by increasing endorphins. May reduce appetite.
- Tryptophan: Precursor for serotonin, important for mood, and for melatonin, which regulates sleep quality.
- Serine: A key component of many enzymes. Acts as a precursor for the neurotransmitter D-serine.
- Glutamic acid: Important for brain function, learning, and memory. Also serves as a precursor for GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve signaling in the brain. Helps maintain brain function with aging.
- Tyrosine: Essential for thyroid function; precursor for thyroid hormones. Improves mood.
- Lysine: The combination of lysine and arginine has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress hormone levels. Lysine helps prevent and combat herpes infections, serves as a precursor for carnitine, and strengthens arterial walls.
- Arginine: Not an essential amino acid, but the body cannot produce enough of it. Improves immune function, increases sperm count and motility, helps protect the liver, supports heart health, and improves circulation. Used in cases of high blood pressure.
