Amino Acid

Amino Acids

This week I thought I would touch on the use of Amino Acids. This can be a very detailed topic, but I will address the importance of amino acids in support to a struggling body in chronic diseases in ways that are not curative, but which certainly are not injurious, but most often helpful. The underlying cause of the illness must be the main consideration, and any therapeutic supplements be it be vitamins, minerals, enzymes or amino acids must be looked at as part of the effort required to help, not the whole effort required to cure.

By definition an amino acid is any large group of organic compounds which represent the end products of protein hydrolysis. Amino acids are acid based in reaction, and from them the body re-synthesizes it’s proteins. Eight of the amino acids are considered essential, meaning they are needed in the diet in some way, the body is unable to make these on it’s own. There are some forty five “essential nutrients” needed under normal conditions in an adult body, eight of these being amino acids. However, under certain conditions some of the amino acids which may be considered “non- essential”, (meaning that the body is able to synthesize them) can become essential and require dietary reinforcement in order to maintain health. Those substances are called contingent nutrients.
Arginine and histidine are of ambiguous state, as they may be synthesized by the body, but arginine in young people during periods of growth is usually required in the diet as well. Histidine is in a similar situation during youth, old age and when degenerative diseases are operating. These two then fall into a contingent category.


There are actually ten amino acids that are usually considered essential, even though two of them considered ambiguous (mentioned above) and are contingent. They are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

All amino acids can be considered “contingent” in youth, the elderly and degenerative diseases, as the body is constantly going through changes and not so called “normal”. In normal conditions there is a distinction to be made between which can and cannot be self produced. So in many cases of illness, stress or emotional fatigue, an amino acid deficiency is most probable.

There is a form of tests that can be performed to show amino acid levels. These can then be compared with normal or reference ranges in order to assess what is needed. Since amino acids play such a vital role in the healthy organism and they have such a major part to play in terms of the structure and function of the body, in both health maintenance and disease, the importance of such a test should not be overlooked. These tests may be used to discover aspects of the nutritional and metabolic status of a child, (or adult) as well as such factors as stress, trauma, and other therapeutic measures, as well as nutritional supplementation.

Protein malnutrition is a frequent precursor of amino acid deficiency. Such deficiencies –states may be associated with improper diet, failure to digest or absorb adequetly, stress conditions, infection, drug usage, trauma, imbalances or deficiencies involving other nutrients, such as vitamins or minerals, as well as age related and degenerative diseases.

There are a variety of conditions in which it could be desirable that an amino acid compound (one that includes both essential and non- essential amino acids) may be of benefit and good use for an individual. This may because of the result of a chronic disease (cancer, MPS, etc.) or a mento-emotional illness such as anorexia, or because of an impoverished diet due to ignorance or poverty, or a combination of factors. These compounds are usually produced to meet specific needs and in balance. These will usually include those amino acids which will enhance production of hormones, and other desirable substances, in ill health, and excludes those which are either seldom deficient, or which have the ability to provoke undesirable symptoms in certain individuals. Though cystine might be included for its detoxifying and anti-free radical activity, as well as for it’s contribution of sulphur, glutamic acid may be included in order to detoxify the brain of ammonia, and to provide an additional energy source for brain cells. Tyrosine might be included in order to aid in ultimate production of adrenocortical and thyroid horomones, as well as dopamine.

There are hundreds of uses for amino acids. Many of these can be used alone or in combination with other vitamins or amino acids for therapeutic treatments. Proper balances are very important. Don’t underestimate the power of these important nutrients.

In our lives here, I can honestly say that amino acids have added strength to Jesse's muscle development, balanced out brain issues with sleeping, and improved much cognitive ability. Jesse is a very happy and content child that understands so much of what we say and do. Unfortunately he cannot speak it verbally, but he shows us with his eyes and smiles, his happy laughter and babble at all the right times.

We use a general compound here in our house made by GNC. We use a combination of GNC Pro Performance - Soy Protein 95, and also the GNC Pro Performance -100% Whey Protein. (these protein compounds are where amino acids come from) Each individual amino acid amount is listed on the labels. We find ½ scoop of each is a good balance for a young man Jesse's size.

I use both Soy and Whey to get the best of both worlds so to speak. Whey protein, is absorbed quickly, and is high in branched chain amino acids, used as an important energy source by the body during exercise. While soy protein is more gradually absorbed and adds to a longer more even flow of absorption and energy.

*Also in addition, soy protein consumption may provide additional health benefits including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease when combined with a healthy diet. (Jesse has an aortic insufficiency. Recent studies also demonstrate that soy protein consumption may reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer including prostate cancer.
*This study is consistent with other studies, which have demonstrated that soy protein has unique benefits for exercising adults in improving antioxidant status. These findings indicate that soy protein can help combat free radical formation during exercise, which may help speed muscle recovery after exercise.

With our MPS kids, muscles seem to deteriorate quickly. So muscle strength is important for us here. It helps to keep Jesse more ambulatory and easier on our back when caring for him. There are many sites about amino acids and their roles. I could write three blogs on just one amino acid. If you have interest in any one topic or amino acid of interest, just let me know. I will write as much as I know about the topic/problem or amino acid in question.

As usual Thanks for stopping by! I hope this journal is of help to you!