Information on Amino Acids

As the building blocks of protein, amino acids are vital to health. Next to water, amino acids in the form of proteins make up the greatest portion of our body weight. They comprise tendons, muscles and ligaments, organs and glands, hair and nails, important bodily fluids, and are a necessary part of every cell in the body.

There are over 20 amino acids, separated into two categories, essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be manufactured by your body, hence, it is essential that you obtain them from your diet. Non-essential amino acids can be manufactured by your body, however, your body must have the right combination of essential amino acids and supporting nutrients to optimize healthy protein maintenance, so supplementation may be desirable.

Amino acids are not only absolutely integral to life, but they can have a profound impact upon how clearly we think and how well we feel.

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is a naturally occurring combination of the amino acid methionine and ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s primary energy molecule. In this form it is sometimes referred to as active methionine. Research indicates that SAMe plays a vital role in nervous system health and normal cognitive function*.

Which Amino Acids Are Right For You, Essential or Non-Essential?

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP):
5-HTP has been effective in some conditions characterized by serotonin deficits, especially depression. It has also been effective in treating obesity, insomnia, fibromyalgia and chronic tension headaches. The African plant Griffonia simplicfolia, bananas, tomatoes, plums, avocados, eggplant, walnuts and pineapples are sources of 5-HTP.

How much:
Before taking 5-HTP, consult a health care practitioner.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine:
Acetyl-L-carnitine has been effective as a possible neuroprotective agent and may be used to treat strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome and various neuropathies. It may also have anti- aging properties.

How Much:
500 milligrams (mg)--2 grams daily in divided doses

Acetycysteine (N-acetylcysteine, NAC):
Acetylcysteine is used in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as acute and chronic bronchilis. It may help against cardiovascular disease and might be useful in treating diabetes and some cancers.

How Much:
Dosage is typically 600 mg once to three times daily. People who supplement with NAC should drink six to eight glasses of water daily to prevent cystine renal stories.

Arginine Proglutamate
Arginine pyroglutamate thought to have cognition-enhancing properties.

How Much:
500-1,000 mg daily

Creatine:
Supplemental creatine may boost energy during aerobic exercise. It may also have neuroprotective and cardioprotec- tive actions.

How Much:
People use creatine to attempt to improve athletic performance in brief, high-intensity-activities should take a loading dose of 20 grams in divided doses four times a day for 2-5 days followed by a maintenance dose of no more than 2 grams a day. Those who use creatine supplements should drink six to eight glasses of water per day.

DL-Phenylalanine:
DL-phenylalanine is thought to have analgesic and antidepressant properties.

How Much:
375 mg-2.25 grams per day

Glutamine Peptides:
Glutamine peptides have been shown to help patients recovering from infec- tions, surgery or trauma. They may also have antioxidant properties.

How Much:
Dosage is 12 grams daily for surgical trauma, and 25 grants daily for severe trauma and infections. For fitness or sports purposes, use 1.5-4.5 grams daily.

Glutathione:
Glutathione has antioxidant properties. It may also have detoxification activi- ties. Some evidence shows that it may be helpful against some cancers, diabetes and lung disorders.

How Much:
50-600 mg daily

Glycine:
Glycine may have antispastic activity. It may also have antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties and might he useful against some cancers.

How Much:
Glycine is available in 500-mg tablets and capsules. As a supplement, use up to 1 gram daily in divided doses.

L-Arginine:
Supplemental L-arginine may have antioxidant and wound-healing proper- ties. It has also shown promise in the treatment and prevention of cardiovas- cular disease and male infertility. It has demonstrated some anti-cancer effects.

How Much:
For cardiovascular health, you can use 8-21 grams daily in divided doses. To help aid with sperm quality and quality, take 10-20 grams daily in divided doses. Doses of 5 grains daily are usually used for erectile dysfunction.

L-Carnitine:
Supplemental L-carnitine may have cardioprotective activity in addition to beneficially affecting cardiac function. It may have a triglyceride- lowering effect in some. It may also help elevate HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. It may also have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.

How Much:
For cardiovascular health, take 500 mg-2 times per day. Take the higher doses in divided amounts.

L-Cysteine:
L-cysteine may have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How Much:
Usually 500 mg-1.5 grams daily. Those who supplement with L-cysteine should drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily to prevent cysteine renal stones.

L-Glutamine:
L-glutamine may protect against the side effects of chemotherapy. It may also have antioxidant properties.

How Much:
Typical close, for people with cancer, trauma, burns, infections and other stress-related conditions are 4-21 grams daily. Those who take L-glutamine for these indications must be under medical supervision.

L-Lysine:
Supplemental L-lysine has possible anti- herpes virus activity. There is pre- liminary research suggesting that it may help in treating and preventing osteoporosis.

How Much:
For possible prevention of herpes simplex virus recurrences, take 500 mg- 3 times daily. The average dose is 1 gram daily. Higher doses should be taken in divided amounts.

L-Ornithine:
L-ornithine has possible anabolic effects. It may also improve athletic performance and have wound-healing properties.

How Much:
Take 500 mg-2 grams per day, before bedtime and on an empty stomach.

L-Phenylalanine:
L-Phenylalanine has possible antidepres- sant activity. It may also, when used in conjunction with UVA radiation, have antivitiligo activity.

How Much:
500 mg-1.5 grams daily

L-Theanine:
L-theanine may have anticancer effects. It may also help decrease the side effects of chemotherapy and have mood- modulating properties.

How Much:
50-200 mg as needed

L-Tyrosine:
L-tyrosine has possible antidepressant properties.

How Much:
500-1,500 mg per day

Lactoferrin:
Supplemental lactoferrin may have antibacterial and antiviral properties. It may also have antioxidant and anti- inflammatory effects.

How Much:
People who supplement with lactoferrin usually take 250 mg daily. Lactoferrin is also found in whey protein supplements.

Ornithine Alpha- Ketoglutarate (OKG):
OKG has been shown to be useful as a nutritional support for burn and other trauma patients. It has been shown to speed the healing of wounds. It may also enhance athletic performance.

How Much:
Some athletes use about 2.5 grams before and after exercise, as well as before breakfast and at bedtime.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA):
PABA may have antifibrosis activity. It may also help alleviate symptoms of scleroderma, which is a skin disease.

How Much:
Doses for scleroderma are high and must be used under medical supervision. The dose used for this disorder is 12 grams daily taken in four to six divided doses with meals. The tablets must be dissolved in plenty of liquid to prevent stomach upset.

Taurine:
Taurine has antioxidant activity. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in animals. There is some evidence that it can normalize blood pressure. It may also be helpful to those with cystic fibrosis, and it has possible detoxi- fying, anti-diabetic and anti-seizure effects.

How Much: 500 mg-3 grams daily

Transgalacto- Oligosaccharides (TOS):
TOS may have antitumor and antimicrobial properties. They may protect against colorectal cancer. They may also help improve mineral absorption and balance.

How Much: Currently available in Europe and Japan as supplements. The usual dosage is about 10 grams daily, usually taken in divided doses.