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Nutrition / Nutrients

The information is not exhaustive, and is subject to constant revision - It is not a substitute for advice, treatment, or recommendation from healthcare professionals.

Amino Acids  (Protein)                                                                                                                                                                                

Protein (Greek - ‘First Things’)

Every cell in the body requires amino acids. The digestive system breaks down the protein in foodstuffs into separate constitute parts known as amino acids, these are then recombined within the body to create the various specific proteins the body requires to maintain itself.

Classification                                                                                                                                                                    

• Essential Amino Acids - unable to be manufactured by the body, therefore are needed to be supplied to the body through the diet
• Non Essential Amino Acids - this does not mean that the body  doesn't require them, it’s because the body is able to manufacture them (in some cases they may have to be supplemented.)
• Other Amino Acids - can be manufactured from other amino acids - some are not an amino acid but are classified as such due to their close structural sameness

They maintain and repair                                                                                                                                                               

• Glands.
• Hair.
• Ligaments.
• Muscle.
• Nails
• Organs.
• Skin.
• Tendons.

They are involved in the production of                                                                                                                                      

• Enzymes.
• Hormones.
• Neurotransmitters.
• Various body fluids.

A poor diet, more so one with a low protein content, will result in amino acid deficiency.

Other causes can be:

• Age.
• Chemical imbalance.
• Infection.
• Medication.
• Stress.
• Trauma.

Amino acids are very powerful medicines and should not be supplemented without obtaining professional advice.

High doses of certain amino acids can cause:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea

Those with kidney or liver disease especially, should not consume high intakes of amino acids without first consulting their clinician. Large dose supplementation of amino acids may cause neurological problems.

There are 20 amino acids that are relevant to the make-up of mammalian proteins. Other amino acids are found in the body  these perform specialised functions. Some of the amino acids found in proteins also serve functions distinct from the formation of peptides and proteins

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), are amino acids having aliphatic side-chains that are non-linear. They are leucine, isoleucine and valine. The combination of these three essential amino acids make up approximately 1/3 of skeletal muscle in the human body, and play an important role in protein synthesis.

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