Health and Amino Acids

Amino acids are not only the components of proteins which make up our body tissues. Niacin (a type of vitamin), epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (important substances for regulation of neurological function) are also made from amino acids such as tyrosine and tryptophan.

Amino acids are needed every day.

Amino acids that make up the body are synthesized and decomposed time and again everyday. Therefore, it is important in our everyday diet to regularly take the necessary amino acids from the food we eat. Almost all the proteins taken from food have been degraded to amino acids by the time they reach the liver.
Of the 20 kinds of amino acids that constitute body proteins, 11 kinds can be produced from other amino acids or other substance, whereas the remaining 9 can not be synthesized in the body. These 9 kinds are called essential amino acids, and we must take them from food. Preferable balance of amino acids is defined by the score pattern established by international institutions (FAO/WHO/UNU). By comparing with this pattern, we need to identify the relatively least amino acid, a limiting amino acid, and supplement it.
Generally, animal proteins contain large amounts of essential amino acids and their balance is very similar to human proteins. Therefore, the bioavailability of animal proteins is considered to be high. Plant proteins also contain plenty of amino acids.
However, some plant proteins are lacking in certain essential amino acids (lysine and methionine). For people today with a potentially unbalanced diet to stay in shape, it is important to replenish deficient amino acids by taking supplements.

If amino acids become deficient

If amino acids become deficient, the body can not perform various functions well. When essential amino acids are deficient in particular, malnutrition or rough skin may occur.
Amino acids are absolutely necessary nutrients for human beings to live.

Amino acids enhance our immune resistance.

Human immune resistance works when immunocytes (macrophages) attack viruses that have infiltrated into the body. Once physical fitness is lowered, however, the functioning of macrophages is worsened, and the person is more likely to contract infectious diseases such as cold.
Arginine and glutamine support the immunological function of macrophages and other immunocytes.
Arginine and glutamine are non-essential amino acids which can be produced in the body. However, macrophages must activate and proliferate more than usual when faced with the infiltration of extraneous foreign matter such as virus. Enhancement of immune resistance by increasing blood amino acid level will make us less likely to contract infectious diseases. Wise replenishment of amino acids helps make the body more resistant to diseases.

Amino acids for drinking too much/hangover

Hangover after excessive alcohol intake occurs as a result of alcohol metabolism to acetaldehyde in the body.
Glutamine and alanine activate gluconeogenesis, thus expediting the metabolism of alcohol and acetaldehyde. BCAAs (Valine, leucine, isoleucine), arginine, and glutamine boost the liver function, thus promoting alcohol metabolism.
If you take these amino acids before/after drinking and on the next day, they will aid liver function and relieve the discomfort of hangover that we have helplessly accepted until now.

	Free amino acids can be used at anytime. In addition to the protein-constituting amino acids, the body reserves each amino acid in the free form. These free amino acids are used as the materials for vitamins and hormones and for the synthesis of new proteins. Disused amino acids are broken down to carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia. Since ammonia has a potent toxicity, it is metabolized in the liver to harmless urea, which is excreted in the urine. This excretion function is performed mainly by arginine, which plays a major role in the detoxification of ammonia.