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AMINO ACID COMPLEX
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
When you're feeling
fatigued or weak, Amino Acid
Complex's will help boost
your energy ... |
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AMINO ACID
COMPLEX |
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Amino Acid
deficiency can lead
to depression,
muscle wasting, poor
digestion and other
disorders |
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Protein is the
second most abundant
substance in our
body, only water is
more plentiful.
Proteins are
composed of amino
acids, linked
together by peptide
bonds. When we eat
protein the body
must break these
bonds in the
digestive tract.
Then single amino
acids, or amino
acids in short
chains, are absorbed
into the body, where
they are reassembled
into whatever
substance the body
needs. |
Some amino
acids can be manufactured in
the body from other amino
acids and are thus called
non-essential. They
are
alanine, aspartic
acid, arginine,
citrulline, glutamic
acid, glycine,
hydroxyglumatic
acid, hydroxyproline,
norleucine, proline,
and serine.
The amino acids that
the body cannot
produce and need to
be taken in through
the diet are called
essential. They
are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine,
phenylalanine,
tyrosine, threonine,
tryptophan, and
valine. Branched
chain amino acids
have a branch in
their structure.
They are
leucine, isoleucine
and valine.
Amino acid complexes
can be used for many
different health and
performance
enhancing purposes.
Recently high
protein diets have
made protein a
popular supplement
for weight loss.
Protein slows the
rate at which sugar
enters the body. By
avoiding spikes in
blood sugar protein
minimizes the
storage of sugar as
fat. Individuals
with blood sugar
imbalances, like
diabetes and
hypoglycemia, will
benefit from
protein’s regulation
of blood sugar.
Protein also builds
muscle tissue, which
burns more energy
than other body
tissue and can lead
to weight loss.
Athletes, people who
perform physical
labour and anyone
who is physically
active requires
protein to repair
their tissue and
build more lean
tissue. People who
are recovering from
illness or long
periods of
inactivity require
protein to rebuild
their body tissue.
The immune system is
dependent on protein
to make cells that
protect our body.
Frequent colds and
flus and chronic
infections are signs
that the body may
need more protein.
The benefit to using
amino acid
supplements over
protein is that the
amino acids are
easier for the body
to absorb. There
are a large variety
of amino acid
supplements and
amino acid
processing
techniques. In
general, look
for amino acid
supplements prefaced
by the letter L
(such as
L-arginine). These
are more similar to
the amino acids in
the body than are
amino acid
supplements prefaced
by the letter D.
Amino acid
supplements are
available as
tablets, powder,
liquid and capsules.
The quality
of amino acid
supplements is
apparent in their
price. Higher
quality formulas use
superior processing
techniques, have the
amino acids in
proper ratios for
optimal absorption
and avoid adding
binders and
fillers. Here are
some of the more
common processing
techniques and types
of amino complexes:
Free-Form – Free
form amino acids do
not have to be
digested. They are
absorbed through the
small intestine,
into bloodstream and
become quickly
available to muscle
or other tissues.
They help to prevent
muscle breakdown.
They tend to be more
expensive as a
supplement.
Di-Tripeptides
- Two or three
molecule amino acids
that are quickly
digested and
absorbed. May
significantly
increase the amount
of amino acids that
the muscle takes in
because of the
slightly slower rate
of intake.
These supplements
are costly and not
widely available.
Protein tablets –
Protein powder is
compressed into
tablets for ease of
intake. This
protein is no
different than the
protein powder
supplements.
Amino acids are
still in protein
chains and the body
still needs to break
them down.
Branched chain amino
acids – These amino
acids have a branch
in their structure.
When taken in by the
muscle the branch
can be broken to
release energy.
Muscles can use this
energy during
contractions.
Branched chain
supplements can have
different ratios.
Optimal ratio for normal use is 2:1:1 (leucine : isoleucine :
valine). These
supplements are
relatively
expensive.
The strategy behind
using amino acids
for optimal uptake
into the muscles is
a science unto its
own. If you are
interested in
optimizing your
athletic performance
obtain more
information about
amino acids from
reputable fitness
sources.
Do not take high
amounts of
supplemental amino
acids if you have
impaired kidney
function. Pregnant
women should only
consume amino acids
under the
supervision of a
health
professional. Certain
amino acids can be
toxic in excessive
amounts, including
aspartic acid,
glutamic acid,
homocysteine,
cysteine, serine,
and tryptophan.
Take amino acid
supplements at least
1/2 hour before or
after a meal to
maximize their
absorption. If you
take an individual
amino acid
supplement for
longer than one
month, take it with
an amino acid
complex. This will
ensure that you do
not deplete the
levels of any amino
acid in the body. |
Amino acid
complex–
QUICK FACTS
|
SOURCES
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·
Whey, soy. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
Wasting
illnesses,
post-surgical
healing,
HIV, cancer
therapy, low
immune
function,
fatigue,
improved
athletic
performance,
meal
replacement,
obesity,
diabetes,
hypoglycemia. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
Dependent
upon an
individual’s
weight.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Multi-vitamin,
multi-mineral,
vitamin B
complex,
creatine,
antioxidants.
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products
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·
Do not take
high amounts
of
supplemental
amino acids
if you have
impaired
kidney
function.
·
Pregnant
women should
only consume
amino acids
under the
supervision
of a health
professional.
·
Certain
amino acids
can be toxic
in excessive
amounts,
including
asparatic
acid,
glutamic
acid,
homocysteine,
cysteine,
serine and
tryptophan.
·
Take amino
acid
supplements
at least 1/2
hour before
or after a
meal to
maximize
their
absorption.
·
If you take
an
individual
amino acid
supplement
for longer
than one
month, take
it with an
amino acid
complex. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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