A-Z amino acid benefits Articles

Some amino acids can be manufactured in the body from other amino acids and are thus called non-essential. Glycine is one of these amino acids because it can be formed from choline or serine and threonine. Let's explore its role in the body and how it benefits your health. 

What Is Glycine?

Glycine is a part of creatine, which transforms adenosine diphosphate, ADP, into adenosine triphosphate, ATP. When ATP is broken down, energy is released and this powers all of your body's processes, including muscle contractions. Creatine also helps to construct your genetic material, DNA and RNA.

Glycine's Role In The Body

This amino is used to synthesize other amino acids, bile acids (for fat digestion) and connective tissue (for healing the skin). 

It is often added to commercial antacids because of its ability to decrease stomach acidity. As a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical that regulates the electrical conduction of the brain, glycine stops brain cells from overfiring. Thus it relaxes the mind and body. 

Top Health Benefits of Glycine Supplements

This amino can be supplemented to help with the following health concerns: 

• Hyperactivity
• Bipolar Disorder
• Epilepsy
• Muscle Weakness
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Fatigue 
• Poor Wound Healing

Shopping For Quality Glycine Supplements

It is usually supplemented as L-glycine which can be found in capsules, tablets or cream. The cream can be applied topically for wound healing. 

It is best absorbed when taken between meals. It can also convert into serine if vitamins B3, B6 and folic acid are present.

Important Considerations When Taking An Amino Acid Supplement

If you take an individual amino acid supplement for longer than one month, take it with an amino acid complex to prevent the deficiency of other amino acids.

A balance of glycine is needed for optimal health and energy enhancement. Too much can cause fatigue.

The amino acids that the body cannot produce and need to be taken in through the diet, are called essential. Lysine is one of these amino acids and should be taken as a supplement or through dietary choices. Lysine plays an important role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Thus it builds muscle (athletic enhancement) and rebuilds muscle after periods of illness or inactivity. It is also a component of connective tissue and brain chemicals.

Top Health Benefits of A Lysine Supplement

Lysine is involved in growth and bone development because it increases the absorption and deposition of calcium. Lysineand another amino acid, methionine, form carnitine. Carnitine helps cells use fats for energy production.

By competing with arginine for absorption, lysine limits the reproduction of herpes virus and prevents herpes outbreaks (cold sores). Lysine improves cardiovascular health by removing components of atherosclerotic plaques. It has been shown to increase the diameter of vessels and improve blood flow. Natural health practitioners for angina, poor circulation, herpes simplex, osteoporosis, improved athletic performance, convalescence and high triglyceride levels recommend lysine.

Discover Lysine Supplement Varieties & Formats

The biologically active form of lysine is L-lysine. It is commonly found in capsules. Lysine and arginine compete for absorption so supplements of these amino acids should be taken at different times. It is often combined with vitamins and anti-viral agents for the prevention of herpes outbreaks. 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, add an amino acid complex to the protocol to prevent the deficiency of other amino acids.

Potential Side Effects & Key Considerations

While lysine in the diet is considered safe, excessive doses may cause gallstones. There have also been reports of renal dysfunction, including Fanconi syndrome and renal failure. High arginine intake will lower lysine levels. Individuals with kidney disease should use lysine cautiously. 

Talk to your doctor before taking supplemental lysine if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

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.