Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Phenylalanine - An essential amino acid that is also one of the aromatic amino acids
that exhibit ultraviolet radiation absorption properties. Phenylaline is the most
commonly found aromatic amino acid.
Involved In:
Conversion in the body to tyrosine, used to synthesize two neurotransmitters - dopamine
and norepinephrine.
Assists in elevating the mood, is closely involved with the nervous system.
Assists with memory and learning.
Increases blood levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine (all three required
for neurotransmission).
Phenylalanine is absorbed from the small intestine and transported to the liver via
the portal circulation.
A small amount of D-phenylalanine appears to be converted to L-phenylalanine. D-Phenylalanine
is distributed to the various tissues of the body via the systemic circulation. It
appears to cross the blood-brain barrier less efficiently than L-phenylalanine, and
so a small amount of an ingested dose of D-phenylalanine is not absorbed but excreted
in the urine.
Dietary deficiency is rare symptoms may include:
Lethargy.
Edema.
Weakness.
Skin lesions.
Liver damage.
Slow growth.
Note
A deficiency in diet would only occur with an extremely low protein intake and /
or absorption problems.
Threonine is an essential amino acid that promotes normal growth by helping to maintain
the proper protein balance in the body.
Threonine is needed to create glycine and serine, two amino acids that are necessary
for the production of collagen, elastin, and muscle tissue. Threonine helps keep
connective tissues and muscles throughout the body strong and elastic, including
the heart, where it is found in significant amounts. It also helps build strong bones
and tooth enamel, and may speed wound healing or recovery from injury.
Threonine combines with the amino acids aspartic acid and methione to help the liver
with lipotropic function, or the digestion of fats and fatty acids. Without enough
threonine in the body, fats could build up in the liver and ultimately cause liver
failure.
Threonine supports the immune system by aiding in the production of antibodies.
Threonine is an essential amino acid, which means it must be obtained from dietary
sources.
Symptoms of threonine deficiency include:
Emotional agitation.
Confusion.
Digestion difficulties.
Fatty liver.
Involved in:
Assisting the maintaining the proper protein balance in the body
Assisting the formation of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Assisting in liver functioning (including fighting fatty liver), lipotropic functions
when combined with aspartic acid and methionine
Assisting the immune system with the production of antibodies
Promoting thymus growth and activity
High concentrations are found in the heart, skeletal muscles and central nervous
system.
Note
Exceeding the recommended doses of threonine can disrupt liver function, and cause
the formation of too much urea, and consequently ammonia toxicity, in the body.
