AMINO ACIDS

Amino acids are often called the “building blocks of life”. These are compounds that combine to form proteins. They are naturally found in our bodies and can be obtain in certain foods such as meat, milk, fish, eggs, soy, beans, nuts, and grains.

Amino acids are needed for the production of enzymes, as well as some neurotransmitters and hormones. They are also essential in numerous metabolic pathways within cells throughout the body.

Types

Amino acids can be placed in three different groups:

• Nonessential Amino Acids– These are naturally produced by the body. It cannot be found in any food you eat.

Examples are Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, and Glutamic acid.

• Essential Amino Acids- These can be obtain from the food you eat.

Examples are Histidine, Leucine, Lysine, Threonine, Valine and Trytophan

• Conditional Amino Acids– These are usually not essential to everyday living but are important when you’re sick, injured, or stressed. It include Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Ornithine, Proline and Serine

Most diets provide safe amounts of amino acids. It is because too much amino acids in your body can result to the following effects:

• Gastrointestinal Distress, such as Bloating
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
• Increased Risk of Gout
• Unhealthy Drop in Blood Pressure
• Changes in Eating Patterns
• Need for your Kidneys to Work Harder to Maintain Balance