What is Serine?

Some amino acids can be manufactured in the body from other amino acids and are thus called non-essential. Serine is one of these amino acids because it can be formed from glycine. It is a part of creatine, which transforms adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Adenosine triphosphate is often known as the body's main energy currency. It consists of adenosine bound to three phosphate groups. The chemical bonds between these phosphate groups store energy. When a cell needs energy, for muscle contraction, nerve signalling, or metabolism, it breaks one of ATP's phosphate bonds, releasing energy and converting ATP into ADP.

Adenosine diphosphate is the lower-energy form of ATP, containing two phosphate groups. ADP is not waste, instead, it is continuously recycled. Through processes such as cellular respiration in the mitochondria, energy from nutrients is used to ass a phosphate group back to ADP, converting it into ATP again. This constant ATP-ADP cycle allows cells to meet energy demands efficiently and continuously.

Benefits of Serine

When ATP is broken down, energy is released and this powers all of the body's processes including muscle contraction. Creatine also helps to construct genetic material, DNA and RNA. Serine is used to synthesize bile acids (for fat digestion) and connective tissue (for healing the skin). In the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) serine protects the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. If this protective sheath degenerates a "shorting out" of the message occurs and the signal never gets to the appropriate part of the body. This is what happens in the disease multiple sclerosis.

Serine is a part of immune proteins, called immunoglobulins and antibodies. Several types of these molecules are released by white blood cells to flag cells and tissue so that the appropriate immune response can occur. For example, the destruction of a cell infected with a virus or a cell growing uncontrollably. This amino acid can be supplemented to help with the following health concerns: low immune function, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, convalescence, muscle weakness and skin damage.

Serine in Supplement Form

Serine is usually supplemented as L-serine. L-serine is found in capsules or cream. It is best absorbed when it is taken between meals. If you take an individual amino acid supplement for longer than one month, add an amino acid complex to the protocol to prevent the deficiency of other amino acids. Serine is found in many commercial cosmetics and skin care products.

Final Considerations

High serine intake can cause depression of the immune system or neurological complications.