Post by Jana on Sept 22, 2004 20:52:43 GMT -5
Supplement: Amino Acids
Description: Amino acids are the basic building blocks of protein. Amino acids can be obtained in a variety of supplemental forms including capsules, tablets, bars and a number of powdered mixtures. Of the nutritionally important amino acids (there are 20), products are available that provide a food-like mixture of all the amino acids, while other products focus on the specific characteristics of isolated amino acids.
Amino acids are typically categorized based on their nutritional role as essential or non-essential. The body cannot produce essential amino acids, so they must be obtained from a dietary source. Non-essential amino acids can either be manufactured directly by the body or can be obtained by conversion from another amino acid. It is important to keep in mind that “non-essential” does not mean that these amino acids are unimportant. It simply means that, under ideal circumstances, there are routes other than the diet in which they can be obtained. Several of the non-essential amino acids are considered to be “conditionally-essential”, meaning that under certain conditions, such as injury, disease, increased stress and intense physical activity, the body’s machinery is unable to generate adequate levels and supplemental dietary sources are required.
Essential amino acids:
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Histidine (conditionally essential)
Nonessential amino acids:
Arginine
Alanine
Asparagine
Aspartic acid
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glutamic acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine
**Note, there are lots of other amino acids, but some can be produced in the body by combining or processing other amino acids from the diet (example = lysine + methionine are combined to produce carnitine).
Claims: In most cases, amino acids and total protein intake are considered to be synonymous. In some cases, however, a specific amino acid may have unique characteristics which may lend beneficial effects in treating certain metabolic states. Some are listed below. 1. Alanine -- Enlarged prostate 2. Arginine -- Heart function 3. Branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) -- Sports performance 4. Carnitine -- Heart Support, Sports performance, Chronic fatigue, Diabetes, High cholesterol/triglycerides, Leg cramps (claudication) 5. Creatine -- Sports performance 6. Cysteine & N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) -- Lung function (Bronchitis), Antioxidant support 7. Glutamic acid -- Enlarged prostate 8. Glutamine -- Immune support, Gastrointestinal maintenance, 9. Glycine -- Enlarged prostate 10. Ornithine & Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) -- Sports performance, Wound healing 11. Phenylalanine -- Depression 12. Taurine – Diabetes, Epilepsy, High blood pressure 13. Tyrosine -- Alcohol withdrawal, Alzheimer's disease, Depression, Increased alertness 14. Valine -- Sports performance
Dosage: The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of lean body mass per day for a healthy adult. There is widespread controversy concerning the question of whether or not athletes should consume more protein than the average individual. There is good scientific support for the concept that a greater availability of amino acids promotes protein synthesis and reduces muscle loss that occurs during training. It is fairly well accepted now that athletes probably need closer to 1.0-1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, particularly during strenuous training.
Description: Amino acids are the basic building blocks of protein. Amino acids can be obtained in a variety of supplemental forms including capsules, tablets, bars and a number of powdered mixtures. Of the nutritionally important amino acids (there are 20), products are available that provide a food-like mixture of all the amino acids, while other products focus on the specific characteristics of isolated amino acids.
Amino acids are typically categorized based on their nutritional role as essential or non-essential. The body cannot produce essential amino acids, so they must be obtained from a dietary source. Non-essential amino acids can either be manufactured directly by the body or can be obtained by conversion from another amino acid. It is important to keep in mind that “non-essential” does not mean that these amino acids are unimportant. It simply means that, under ideal circumstances, there are routes other than the diet in which they can be obtained. Several of the non-essential amino acids are considered to be “conditionally-essential”, meaning that under certain conditions, such as injury, disease, increased stress and intense physical activity, the body’s machinery is unable to generate adequate levels and supplemental dietary sources are required.
Essential amino acids:
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Histidine (conditionally essential)
Nonessential amino acids:
Arginine
Alanine
Asparagine
Aspartic acid
Cysteine
Glutamine
Glutamic acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine
**Note, there are lots of other amino acids, but some can be produced in the body by combining or processing other amino acids from the diet (example = lysine + methionine are combined to produce carnitine).
Claims: In most cases, amino acids and total protein intake are considered to be synonymous. In some cases, however, a specific amino acid may have unique characteristics which may lend beneficial effects in treating certain metabolic states. Some are listed below. 1. Alanine -- Enlarged prostate 2. Arginine -- Heart function 3. Branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) -- Sports performance 4. Carnitine -- Heart Support, Sports performance, Chronic fatigue, Diabetes, High cholesterol/triglycerides, Leg cramps (claudication) 5. Creatine -- Sports performance 6. Cysteine & N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) -- Lung function (Bronchitis), Antioxidant support 7. Glutamic acid -- Enlarged prostate 8. Glutamine -- Immune support, Gastrointestinal maintenance, 9. Glycine -- Enlarged prostate 10. Ornithine & Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) -- Sports performance, Wound healing 11. Phenylalanine -- Depression 12. Taurine – Diabetes, Epilepsy, High blood pressure 13. Tyrosine -- Alcohol withdrawal, Alzheimer's disease, Depression, Increased alertness 14. Valine -- Sports performance
Dosage: The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of lean body mass per day for a healthy adult. There is widespread controversy concerning the question of whether or not athletes should consume more protein than the average individual. There is good scientific support for the concept that a greater availability of amino acids promotes protein synthesis and reduces muscle loss that occurs during training. It is fairly well accepted now that athletes probably need closer to 1.0-1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, particularly during strenuous training.