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Nutrition 1 (Semester II) > 13b. Proteins & Amino Acids > Flashcards

13b. Proteins & Amino Acids Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most abundant AA in the body?

A

Glutamine

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2
Q

What is glutamine the preferred fuel for?

A

Rapidly dividing cells - enterocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages

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3
Q

Why is glutamine considered conditionally essential?

A

Body’s own synthesis of glutamine is unable to meet increased demands during acute stress/stress states e.g. injury, infection

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4
Q

How does glutamine act as a buffer?

A

It receives excess ammonia before releasing it when needed to form other amino acids and nucleic acids

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5
Q

How does glutamine function in the intestinal barrier?

A

Helps to regulate tight junction integrity

Regulates enterocyte proliferation

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6
Q

What does glutamine depletion result in with regards to the intestinal barrier?

A

Decreased expression of tight junction proteins

Increased intestinal permeability

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7
Q

What can cause increased intestinal permeability?

A 
Coeliac disease
IBD
Candidiasis
SIBO
Alcohol
Food allergies/intolerances
Chronic stress
Nutrient deficiencies
NSAIDs
Chemo
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8
Q

What can be leaked into the blood if intestinal permeability is present?

A

LPS (lipopolysaccharides)

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9
Q

What can the leakage of LPS lead to?

A

AI

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10
Q

What nutrients can be used to address intestinal permeability?

A 
Glutamine supplementation
Glutamine-rich foods
N-acetyl glucosamine
Quercetin
Zinc
AO
Herbs
Bone broth
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11
Q

What dose of glutamine is recommended to support leaky gut?

A

10g/day

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12
Q

Examples of glutamine rich foods

A 
Cabbage juice
Spirulina
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cod
Salmon
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13
Q

Examples of food sources of quercetin

A

Apples
Red onion
Tomatoes
Red pepper

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14
Q

Why is zinc needed to support leaky gut?

A

Rapid cell division

Tight junction support

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15
Q

Which herbs can be used to support leaky gut?

A

Turmeric
Slippery elm
Marshmallow

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16
Q

Why is bone broth good for leaky gut?

A

Collagen
Glucosamine
Chondroitin
Glycine

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17
Q

Functions of glutamine

A

Muscle recovery
Immunity
Neurotransmitter
Hypoglycaemia

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18
Q

Why is glutamine good for muscle recovery?

A

Abundant in muscles
Promotes faster recovery
Reduces muscle breakdown

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19
Q

Why is glutamine good for immunity?

A

Supports lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation

Supports production of cytokines

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20
Q

Why is glutamine good as a neurotransmitter?

A

It’s converted to glutamate (excitatory) before converting to GABA (inhibitory)

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21
Q

Which nutrients does the conversion of glutamate to GABA need?

A

B6
Zinc
Taurine

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22
Q

If the conversion of glutamate to GABA works well, what effect can glutamine supplementation have?

A

Anxiety relieving

Sleep supporting

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23
Q

Why is glutamine good for hypoglycaemia?

A

It’s a substrate for gluconeogenesis

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24
Q

Glutamine - drug interactions

A

Anti-seizure meds

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25
Q

Glutamine - when to avoid supplementation

A

Cancer care
Epilepsy
Liver disease
Kidney disease

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26
Q

Which AAs form cysteine?

A

Methionine

Serine

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27
Q

Where is cysteine formed?

A

Liver

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28
Q

Which co-factors are needed to produce cysteine?

A

B6
B9
B12

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29
Q

Food sources of cysteine

A

Legumes
Eggs
Sunflower seeds
Chicken

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30
Q

Which AO is cysteine a component of?

A

Glutathione

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31
Q

Cysteine is needed for the formation of which compounds?

A

Coenzyme A

Taurine

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32
Q

How does cysteine help in phase 2 liver detoxification?

A

Source of sulphate which increases the water solubility of drugs, steroids, hormones etc for their excretion

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33
Q

What is N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)?

A

Derivative of L-cysteine

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34
Q

Why is NAC used in supplementation?

A

Easier to absorb than L-cysteine

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35
Q

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) - functions

A 
Liver detoxification
AO
Reproduction
Respiratory health
Insulin resistance
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36
Q

How does NAC help with liver detoxification?

A

Crucial in drug metabolism

Drugs deplete glutathione; cysteine regenerates it

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37
Q

How does NAC work as an AO?

A

Cysteine - building block of glutathione

an AO

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38
Q

How does NAC help with reproductive health?

A

Increase sperm concentration

Positively impacts serum testosterone

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39
Q

How does NAC support respiratory health?

A

Expectorant

breaks up mucus to aid easier elimination

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40
Q

How does NAC support insulin resistance?

A

Increases insulin sensitivity

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41
Q

NAC - drug interactions

A

Nitro-glycerine

Insulin

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42
Q

NAC - adverse effects

A

GI issues

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43
Q

What is methionine?

A

Sulphur-containing essential AA

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44
Q

Methionine - food sources

A 
High in animal foods
Brazil nuts
Sunflower seeds
Beans
Wholegrains
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45
Q

Methionine - function

A

Major methyl donor - homocysteine cycle and ph 2 liver detox

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46
Q

Which cofactors are needed to support methylation?

A

B6
B9
B12

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47
Q

What are the adverse effects of raised homocysteine?

A

Damaged vascular endothelium

Increases risk of miscarriage and atherosclerosis

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48
Q

Methionine - caution

A

Increases acidity in body

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49
Q

What is carnitine?

A

AA derivative

Obtained from diet or synthesised in body

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50
Q

Which AAs make carnitine?

A

Methionine

Lysine

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51
Q

Carnitine - cofactors for synthesis from methionine and lysine

A

Fe
C
B3
B6

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52
Q

Carnitine - food sources

A 
Nuts
Seeds
Avocado
Spinach
Red meat
Dairy
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53
Q

Which gene mutation can make carnitine a conditionally essential AA?

A

SLC22A5

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54
Q

Carnitine - functions

A

ATP synthesis

Thyroid hormone antagonist

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55
Q

How does carnitine support ATP synthesis?

A

Facilitates transport of long chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane
(so they can be oxidised)
Removes toxic metabolites out of the mitochondria
Acts as an AO

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56
Q

Carnitine - therapeutic uses

A 
Weight loss
Fatigue
Athletic performance
Heart failure
Infertility
ADHD
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57
Q

Carnitine - drug interactions

A

Warfarin - increases blood thinning effects

Thyroid meds - thyroid hormone antagonist

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58
Q

Carnitine - cautions

A

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Body odours

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59
Q

What is creatine made from?

A

Arginine
Glycine
Methionine

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60
Q

Where is creatine formed?

A

Liver
Pancreas
Kidneys

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61
Q

Where is most creatine found in the body?

A

Muscles

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62
Q

Creatine - food sources

A

Meat
Fish
Eggs

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63
Q

Creatine - functions

A

Fast source of ATP (creatine phosphate)
Enables explosive power in the muscles
Enhances muscular activity

64
Q

Creatine - therapeutic uses

A

Enhancing muscular performance
Heart failure
Coronary artery disease

65
Q

Creatine - cautions

A

Combining caffeine, ephedra and creatine may lead to ischaemic stroke
GI issues
Palpitations
Muscle cramping
Draws water from rest of body - hydration!

66
Q

Creatine - drug interactions

A

Nephrotoxic drugs (e.g. NSAIDs, antibiotics) may have harmful effects on kidney function

67
Q

In which circumstances is glycine a conditionally essential AA?

A

Increased haem synthesis for blood formation
Collagen formation for growth and repair
Glycine conjugation in detoxification

68
Q

What is needed to make glycine?

A

Serine

B6

69
Q

Why do we need to ensure a good intake of serine and B6?

A

Can’t make glycine without them

70
Q

Glycine - food sources

A 
Legumes
Eggs
Spinach
Seaweed
Kale
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Banana
Meat
Fish
71
Q

What is glycine needed for?

A 
Haem synthesis
DNA/RNA
Bile acids
Glutathione synthesis
Creatine synthesis
Skin/connective tissue
72
Q

Glycine - functions

A

Collagen synthesis
Liver detox
Neurotransmitters

73
Q

Why is glycine important for collagen synthesis?

A

Collagen is 1/3 glycine

Crucial for structural integrity in bones, skin, GIT, tendons and ligaments

74
Q

Glycine - therapeutic uses in collagen synthesis

A

GIT repair
IBD (intestinal permeability)
Skin integrity
MSK integrity

75
Q

Why is glycine important for liver detoxification?

A

Required to conjugate toxins in ph2 LD
Component of glutathione
Component of bile acids

76
Q

Glycine - therapeutic uses in liver detox

A

Liver support

Digestion (due to bile acids)

77
Q

Why is glycine important as a neurotransmitter?

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
Reversibly converted to serine
(used to form acetylcholine)

78
Q

Glycine - therapeutic uses as a neurotransmitter

A

Insomnia
Cognition
Memory
Learning

79
Q

What is taurine?

A

Conditionally essential AA synthesised in the body

80
Q

What is needed to make taurine?

A

Cysteine

B6

81
Q

In which circumstances may the body be unable to make taurine?

A

Extreme stress/illness

82
Q

Taurine - food sources

A

Chicken
Turkey thighs
Fish
Breast milk

83
Q

Taurine - functions

A 
Neurological
AO
Muscle health
Bile
Insulin
84
Q

How does taurine support neurological health?

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter that increases effects of GABA
Supports development of cerebellum
Has neuroprotective functions

85
Q

Taurine - therapeutic uses in neurological health?

A

Parkinson’s
Epilepsy
Insomnia

86
Q

How does taurine support as an AO?

A

Protects mitochondria from ROS

Present in neutrophils

87
Q

Taurine - therapeutic uses as an AO

A

Atherosclerosis

Infertility

88
Q

Taurine - functions in muscle health

A

Highly concentrated in muscles
Contraction
Heart - anti-inflammatory, BP lowering

89
Q

Taurine - therapeutic uses in muscle health

A

Heart failure
Hypertension
Atrial fibrillation
Sarcopenia

90
Q

Taurine - functions in bile

A

Bile acid conjugation

91
Q

Taurine - therapeutic uses in bile conjugation

A

Digestion of fats

Liver detox support

92
Q

Taurine - functions in insulin

A

Improves insulin resistance

93
Q

When is taurine supplementation necessary?

A

Bottle-fed infants
Ability to synthesis taurine is underdeveloped
Cow’s milk doesn’t provide a sufficient amount

94
Q

Taurine - drug interactions

A

Lithium

Blood pressure meds

95
Q

Taurine - contraindication

A

Bipolar disorder

may worsen symptoms

96
Q

Taurine - caution

A

Added to energy drinks

Not a good source as the drinks contain refined sugars, caffeine, artificial sweeteners

97
Q

Is theanine an essential AA?

A

No

98
Q

In which substance is theanine found in?

A

Green tea

99
Q

What function does theanine play in green tea?

A

Reduces negative effects of caffeine

relaxing rather than stimulating

100
Q

Theanine - functions

A

Calming

101
Q

Why is theanine calming?

A

Crosses the BBB and blocks glutamate receptors, increasing GABA activity
Increases alpha-brain waves producing a calming, mood enhancing effect without drowsiness
Increases serotonin and dopamine levels

102
Q

Theanine - therapeutic uses

A 
Studying/increasing concentration
Anxiety
Stress
PMS
Insomnia
Low mood
Hypertension
103
Q

Why isn’t green tea considered a practical source for therapeutic doses?

A

Doses are high

Some of the theanine in green tea is used to offset caffeine effects

104
Q

Theanine - drug interactions

A

Avoid with hypertensives as can lower BP

105
Q

Theanine - adverse effects

A

Headaches

Sleepiness

106
Q

What is tyrosine derived from?

A

Phenylalanine

107
Q

Tyrosine - food sources

A 
Nuts
Seeds
Legumes
Wholegrains
Meat
Fish
Poultry
108
Q

Tyrosine - functions

A

Endocrine health

109
Q

Why is tyrosine necessary for endocrine health?

A

Precursor to thyroid hormones, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline
Precursor to melanin (skin pigment)

110
Q

Tyrosine - therapeutic uses

A 
Adrenal fatigue
Hypothyroidism
ADHD
Depression
Anxiety
Cognition
111
Q

Tyrosine - drug interactions

A

MAOI antidepressants
Levodopa
Thyroxine

112
Q

Tyrosine - contraindications

A

Overactive thyroid

Melanoma

113
Q

Tyrosine - adverse effects

A

GI upset

114
Q

What is tryptophan?

A

An essential AA

115
Q

Tryptophan - food sources

A 
Brown rice
Quinoa
Pumpkin seeds
Oats
Bananas
Turkey
Fish
Eggs
116
Q

Tryptophan - functions

A

Endocrine health

ATP synthesis

117
Q

Tryptophan - functions in endocrine health

A

Serotonin and melatonin synthesis

118
Q

What hormone assists tryptophan across the BBB?

A

Insulin

119
Q

Tryptophan - therapeutic uses in endocrine health

A 
Insomnia
Depression
Stress/anxiety
PMS
Weight control (reduced cravings)
Overcoming smoking addiction
120
Q

Tryptophan - functions in ATP synthesis

A

Used to make B3

needed to form NAD and NADP

121
Q

Tryptophan - therapeutic uses in ATP synthesis

A

Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
AZD

122
Q

In what supplemental form is tryptophan best taken in?

A

5-HTP

123
Q

Why is 5-HTP best as a supplemental form of tryptophan?

A

Can only be used for serotonin and melatonin production

124
Q

What is best to consume with a tryptophan supplement?

A

Carb rich snack

125
Q

Tryptophan - drug interactions

A

Antidepressants

Sedatives

126
Q

Tryptophan - adverse effects

A

GI upset
Headaches
Light headedness
Muscle weakness

127
Q

What is phenylalanine?

A

Essential AA

128
Q

Phenylalanine - food sources

A 
Avocado
Brown rice
Lentils
Soy
Meat
Fish
Eggs
129
Q

Phenylalanine - functions

A

Endocrine health

Skin pigmentation

130
Q

Phenylalanine - functions in endocrine health

A

Can be converted to tyrosine

thyroid hormones, dopamine etc

131
Q

Phenylalanine - therapeutic uses in endocrine health

A

Depression
Cognition
Parkinson’s

132
Q

Phenylalanine - functions in skin pigmentation

A

Melanin production

via tyrosine pathway

133
Q

Phenylalanine - therapeutic uses in skin pigmentation

A

Vitiligo

134
Q

Phenylalanine - drug interactions

A

Antipsychotics

135
Q

Phenylalanine - caution

A

Can worsen schizophrenia symptoms

136
Q

Phenylalanine - contraindications

A

PKU

can’t break down phenylalanine

137
Q

What is lysine?

A

An essential AA

138
Q

Which other AA does lysine compete for absorption?

A

Arginine

139
Q

Lysine - food sources

A 
Quinoa
Legumes
Tempeh
Chicken
Eggs
Dairy
Fish
Meat
140
Q

Lysine - functions

A

Structure
Absorption
Glucose-lowering

141
Q

Lysine - functions in structure

A

Part of collagen

Helps build muscular tissue

142
Q

Lysine - therapeutic uses in structure

A

Muscle injury recovery

Osteoporosis

143
Q

Lysine - functions in absorption

A

Aids intestinal absorption of Ca, Fe, Zn

144
Q

Lysine - therapeutic uses in absorption

A

Anaemia
Hair loss
Osteoporosis

145
Q

Lysine - key therapeutic use

A

Herpes simplex virus

146
Q

Why is lysine good for cold sores?

A

Helps prevent and fight outbreaks

147
Q

Why are lysine and arginine antagonists in herpes simplex virus?

A

The virus uses arginine to replicate

Lysine limits viral replication

148
Q

What is arginine?

A

Conditionally essential AA

149
Q

Arginine - food sources

A

Nuts
Seeds
Seaweed
Meats

150
Q

Arginine - function

A

Precursor to nitric oxide
Vasodilator
Lowers BP

151
Q

Arginine - therapeutic uses

A

Hypertension
CV disease
Sports performance
Erectile dysfunction

152
Q

Arginine - drug interactions

A 
Anti-hypertensives
GTN spray (angina)
153
Q

When should any isolated AA be avoided?

A

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

154
Q

Why can an AA imbalance occur when supplementing an isolated AA?

A

AAs compete with each other at the cell surface for transportation through the membrane
Using just one AA gives that AA an advantage in terms of absorption

155
Q

What is the main reason for impaired utilisation of AA

A

Dietary lack of conversion cofactors e.g. Zn, B6, B12

address diet first

156
Q

Why is it more beneficial to supplement using the free-form AAs (Ls)?

A

More efficiently absorbed

Good when absorption is compromised

157
Q

How is it best to take free-form AA?

A

Mix with fruit juices or food

have little flavour

Nutrition 1 (Semester II) (16 decks)

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