Proteins-Amino Acids Flashcards
What are proteins made up of?
Proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids.
How many amino acids are identified at this time?
22
What are the two main classes of amino acids?
Essential and Non-essential
What are the characteristics of essential amino acids?
- Cannot be made by the body
- Must be obtained from diet
What other amino acids can be made from essential amino acids?
Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine
What does conditionally-essential mean?
If our diet is deficient in what is necessary to create the non-essential amino acids, the body can become deficient. If a person’s diet is not balanced and does not receive all necessary vitamins and minerals to create, then the body cannon create the non-essential amino acid.
What are the 5 conditionally essential amino acids?
- Arginine
- Cysteine
- Glutamine
- Proline
- Tyrosine
How can we become deficient in some of the non-essential amino acids?
If our body is not functioning to its full potential, it becomes unable to make the non-essential amino acids.
When supplementing the diet with individual amino acids, what is the best way to avoid imbalance?
Limit use to 6-8 weeks then 2-3 week break
Or take a mixture that contains a blend of amino acids.
What is the function of the essential amino acid Lucine?
- Essential for growth
- Stimulates protein synthesis in muscle
- Important during period of fasting or starvation
- helpful in healing bone and skin wounds
Where is Lucine found?
Found in animal protein foods (poultry and red meats) dairy products, wheat germ and oats.
What are the functions of the essential amino acid Lysine?
- Concentrated in muscle tissue.
- Helps absorption of calcium from intestinal tract.
- Promotes bone growth
- Forms collagen with the use of vitamin C
Where is Lysine found?
Found in fish, meats and dairy products.
What are the functions of the essential amino acid Tryptophan?
Used int he treatment of insomnia and depression.
Vitamin B6, C, Folic Acid, and Magnesium are needed to metabolize
Where is Tryptophan found?
Not a high level in any foods but can be found in animal foods, eggs, dairy products and some nuts and seeds.
What are the functions of the conditionally-essential amino acid Arginine (Arg)?
Essential to the breakdown of ammonia generated by protein breakdown.
Needed to transport nitrogen used in muscle metabolism.
May help regulate blood pressure and improve male impotence
Where is Arginine found?
Found in most proteins (including meats, nuts, milk, cheese and eggs).
What happens when there is a deficiency of Arginine?
Hair loss, constipation, delays healing wounds, liver disease.
What are the supplementary uses of Arginine?
500mg capsules
4g daily increases fertility in men
3-6g daily is well tolerated
Take 2-3 weeks then break 1-2 weeks.
What are functions of the conditionally-essential amino acid Cysteine (Cys)?
Required for the formation of glutathione
Regulator of cell health
Functions as a detoxifying agent in the kidneys
Is regulator for elimination of many environmental toxins.
Neutralization of free radicals that damage healthy cells.
Immune and nerve function
Cell signaling
Cysteine-Glutathione combination is cancer preventing.
What are the supplementary uses of Cysteine?
250-750mg daily in several portions throughout the day along with 3 times the vitamin C to prevent crystallization of excess Cysteine.
What are the functions of the conditionally-essential amino acid Glycine?
Helps spare glucose for energy by improving glycogen storage.
Acts as a neurotransmitter
Has a calming effect
Needed to synthesize hemoglobin molecule, collagen and glutathione.
Can be converted to creatine which is used to make DNA and RNA.
Clears out high levels of blood fats or uric acid levels.
May help to lower gastric acid levels
Helps liver detox by the liver attaching it to certain toxins and making them more water-soluble and easier for secretions.
How is Glycine formed?
Glycine is formed from Choline in the liver and kidney and from amino acids threonine and serine.
Do plant sources contain all the essential proteins?
No so they need to be combined to yield high quality proteins.
