Amino acid And Its Health Benefits

Amino acid are the building blocks of protein in the body; as such they are essential for the synthesis of structural proteins, enzymes, and some hormones and neurotransmitters. Amino acid are also involved in numerous metabolic pathways that affect exercise metabolism. Consequently, it has been suggested that athletes involved in intense training require additional protein in the diet or that they should supplement their diet with specific amino acid.

Protein and amino acid are among the most common nutritional supplements taken by athletes.

Amino acids are critical to our body's proper functioning. Their role includes repairing muscles, organs, nails, hair, skin, ligaments, and glands. A deficiency in even one of them will severely compromise one's health. Deficient people, however, are not the only ones who choose to supplement with amino acids; some people opt to increase their intake simply for therapeutic benefits.

Types of Amino Acid

There are about 20 natural amino acids. These can be divided into two basic groups: essential and non-essential.

Essential Amino Acid

The essential amino acid are those which your body cannot produce. Your body only gets these through your diet.
• Isoleucine: Helps in the formation of hemoglobin and is strongly involved in the formation of blood-clots, the body's primary defense against infection through open wounds.
• Leucine: Helps in healing wounds, regulating energy and assists in the preventing the breakdown of muscle tissue.
• Lysine: Helps improve concentration; enhances fertility; aids in preventing herpes simplex infection.
• Methionine: Aids in lowering cholesterol; helps in treatment of schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease; may protect against tumors.
• Phenylalanine: Acts as an antidepressant; helps suppress appetite; can function in some forms as a natural painkiller.
• Threonine: Necessary for utilization of protein in diet.
• Tryptophan: Aids in reducing anxiety; helps induce sleep; may help in control of alcoholism.
• Valine: Maintains the nitrogen balance and preserves the use of glucose.

Non-essential Amino Acid
The nonessential amino acids are just as important, but your liver can manufacture them.

• Alanine: Enhances immune system; lowers risk of kidney stones; aids in alleviating hypoglycemia.
• Arginine: Increases sperm count; accelerates wound healing; enhances sexual performance in men; tones muscle tissue.
• Asparagine: Promotes balance in the central nervous system.
• Aspartic Acid: Enhances immune system; increases stamina and endurance; expels harmful ammonia from the body.
• Cysteine: Helps prevent baldness; alleviates psoriasis; improves condition of hair, skin and nails; promotes fat burning and muscle building.
• Glutamic Acid: Helps improve brain function; aids in metabolism of sugars and fats; useful in treatment of children's behavioral disorders, epilepsy, and muscular dystrophy.
• Glutamine: Helps improve brain function; alleviate fatigue; aid in ulcer healing time; build and maintain muscle; elevate mood; reduce craving for sugar and alcohol.
• Glycine: Necessary for central nervous system function; aids in healing; helps treat stomach hyperacidity; prevent seizures.

Source Of Amino acid

An essential amino acid supplement can be found in health food stores, or naturally from protein rich sources such as meat, fish, dairy products, and vegetables such as legumes, peas, and grains. Another great amino acid supplement is in the form of powder, which will help athletes build muscle and gain lean muscle weight.

Importance of Amino Acid

There are so many benefits to taking amino acids. Here are some key benefits:
- Reduced body fat and increased endurance is another benefit of amino acid supplements experienced by many athletes.
- Amino Acid supplement can increase muscular development.
- Amino Acid supplement have proven beneficial is in treating Alzheimer's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Amino acid supplements and amino acid food aids those with bronchitis, depression and even diabetes. Many emphysema and high blood pressure sufferers have favorable reports regarding amino acid supplement and amino acid food.
- Enhanced fitness can be achieved with amino acid supplements because through amino acid supplement the body's protein needs are met and balanced.
- Amino acid supplement  increase level of insulin occurs during meals, which leads to easier absorption of amino acid food. Because the secretion of growth hormone is stimulated by amino acid supplement  the body's nitrogen requirements can be easily met by taking amino acid supplement.
- Research on amino acid supplement  show that athletes achieve muscular strength much quicker and experience less physical exhaustion while taking amino acid supplements or amino acid food.
- Essentially amino acid supplements are extremely useful to those involved with physical training and amino acid supplements will benefit anyone wanting to ensure a balanced diet.

More Detail About Amino Acid