Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Hydroxyproline is a non-essential amino acid that is derived from another amino acid,
proline. It is created by the interaction of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin
C, and proline.
It is a proteinogenic amino acid, which means that it is one of 22 amino acids that
are an integral part of the human body's proteins, and is also a part of the standard
human genetic code. The production of hydroxyproline takes place in the gastrointestinal
tract.
Without vitamin C, the production of hydroxyproline is impossible. Without vitamin
C the body is unable to manufacture its most important structural protein, collagen.
Both proline and hydroxyproline are essential in the formation of this key substance,
and a lack of either one can lead to serious collagen instability in the body.
A deficiency of this amino acid is often one of the first visible signs of scurvy.
The ultimate cause of scurvy is too little vitamin C, but this will first manifest
itself as a collagen deficiency, due to the poor production of hydroxyproline. Without
it, any collagen in the body becomes unstable and is often expelled in the urine.
The lack of the collagen protein causes easy bruising of the skin, breakdowns in
connective tissue, and possibly internal bleeding. Other issues caused by limited
amounts of this amino acid include hair loss and receding gums.
Aside from collagen, the only mammalian protein that is created using hydroxyproline
is elastin. This protein has elastic qualities, and is responsible for allowing skin
to retain its shape. It is also stored at sites around the body where a great deal
of weight is borne, or where there are large transfers of mechanical energy.
A lack of hydroxyproline makes this protein harder to create, but the results are
not as dramatic or immediate as when collagen is not being produced.
