NutriChem Pharmacy

Amino Acids

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What are they?

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Amino acids are the “building blocks” that make up proteins. Proteins provide structure for all things and each amino acid has a specific function in the body. They make up skin, bones, nails, muscles hormones, enzymes, antibodies and neurotransmitters. They also help to regulate the body’s water balance and maintain proper pH.

Of the 28 common amino acids found in human protein, 10 of these are considered essential and consequently must be supplied in the diet. Non-essential amino acids with the assistance of nutritional cofactors, Vitamin B6 and a-ketoglutarate are very important for the metabolism and catabolism of amino acids.

Where do amino acids come from?

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Your liver produces about 80 percent of all amino acids needed for proper function. The remaining 20 percent must be obtained from your diet. These are referred to as 'essential amino acids". The remaining amino acids can be manufactured in the body, if it is functioning as it should. These are referred to as 'nonessential amino acids". If there is a deficiency, and the body isn't producing enough supply of amino acids, then they will become essential to the diet.

 
Supplemental food protein sources could be soy, egg white, rice, pea and whey (dairy). Each contain a specific distribution of amino acids but none of these contain a broad spectrum, fitting for any individual.  Some are better digested and/or absorbable than others. Whey protein offers the best profile of amino acids and is easy to absorb.

What do amino acids do?

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Amino Acids are responsible for a vast number of functions withing the human body. If your amino acid levels are not adequate, it can result in a variety of problems, as proteins are a necessary part of every living cell in our bodies. Proteins are responsible for:

* The proper development of bones, muscles, ligaments, glands, organs, hair, nails, tendons and many other vital body fluids
* Regulating all hormones and enzymes
* Assisting in the exchange of nutrients between the intercellular fluids and tissues, blood and lymph. Edema can result from a deficiency of protein as a result of an upset in the body's fluid balance
* Proteins form the structure for chromosomes, and the genetic information contained in each cell's DNA is information for how to make that cell's protein
* Regulating the body's water balance and maintaining the proper internal pH.

 

Why would I have a deficiency of amino acids?

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 There are a number of reasons why a person might have a deficiency of amino acids, including:

• * Stress
  * Trauma
  * Drug Use
  * Insufficient intake of nutrients such as vitamin C and B6
  * Infection
  * Impaired absorption
  * Imbalances of other nutrients
  * Age
  * Improper diet

Should I take an amino acid supplement? Or should I just increase my protein intake?

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Before beginning a supplement regime of amino acids, it is advantageous to have your amino acid levels tested to ensure that you will be supplementing with the right ones, and in the correct dosages for your body. Additionally, increasing your protein intake can be harmful to you-consuming excess protein can place an unreasonable amount of stress on the kidneys and the liver, which process the waste products of protein metabolism. 

It is sometimes necessary to customize such protein sources and make them fit much better to the individual needs. A Plasma Amino Acid panel, like the one found in the Oxymark or the Body Chemistry Balancing test is most crucial for such a customization, to achieve a balanced product that actually supports the individual. In special cases, when specific food intolerances forbid the use of whey protein as a base for customization, there is still the possibility to use single sourced (free) amino acids and compose a custom formula that does not contain any protein structure the organism could react to.

Such a Customized Amino Acid formula would contain specific amounts of all essential amino acids and additionally the non-essentials that where found to be low as well, together with the aforementioned conversion cofactors.

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