Amino Acids have vital essential functions so it makes good sense to supplement the diet with a quality amino acid complex.

1. Know Your Amino Acids
Most of us have goodgeneral knowledge aboutvitamins and fats and how they affect our
health. The very mention ofamino acids generates a kind-ofapathetic attitude,since amino
acids sound too technical and difficult to understand. Although youmight haveheard about
amino acids, how they affect every area ofyour health may not haveoccurred to you. A deeper
understanding ofthese indispensable chemical units can reveal how they affect every area of
your life. On the other hand, a deficiency ofamino acids can cause an array ofdisorders that
often go undiagnosed with traditional testing or screening methods. We will try to plug those
screening loopholes in this article.
The Building Blocks
Amino Acids are chemical subunits ofproteins.They make up proteins and thereforeare
called the building blocks ofproteins. They form shorterpolymerchains calledpeptides,or
longer chains called polypeptides or proteins. Amino acids also actas intermediates in
metabolism.
If any amino acid is missing, the entire effectiveness ofthe other amino acids is reduced, just
like one missing block affects the entire building. The entireframework may be in danger of
collapsing because ofa single deficiency. A difficulty in handling proteins may affect the way
in which they are catabolized (broken down) into amino acids, which furtherhelp in building
the body tissues.
Importance ofProteins
After water, proteins are the second most abundantsubstances in the human body. They
make up 80 percent ofthe body?s dry mass. Protein substances make up muscles, tendons,
glands, organs, enzymes, nails and hair. They influence the growth and repairofall cells ofthe
body. Proteins act as catalysts for most ofthe reactions in living cells and virtually control all
cellular processes.Proteins help muscles to contract and hold water. They provide a protective
coating to hair and a rigid framework to bones and teeth. Proteins also regulate the acid-base
balance ofthe body and stimulatethe defensemechanism to produce antibodies.
The Protein-Amino Acid Link
Since proteins are so important, amino acids that make up proteins areimportant. Proteins
cannot exist without amino acids in the correct combination.Ifany essential amino acid is
missing or low in proportion, the functioning ofthe otherswill be reduced proportionally. 20
different amino acids are used to synthesizeproteins. They are classified into essential and
non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids must be obtained from diet whereas non-
essential ones are produced by the body in the liver.The central nervous system cannot
function properly without amino acids.
Amino Acids as Neurotransmitters
Amino acids help the brain to send and receive messages to different parts ofthe body. Amino
acids act as neurotransmittersand are abundantly available in the brain. Neurotransmitters

2. are chemicals that pass on messages between neurons and cells.Glutamic acid, gamma amino
butyric acid (GABA), aspartic acid and glycineare the four amino acids that act as
neurotransmitters.Amino acids are released by neurons and act as intercellularmessengers.
Glutamic acid is the most common excitatory neurotransmitters and GABA is the most
common inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Various Other Benefits
Amino acid supplements are a regularfeaturewith athletes and body builders. During protein
catabolism, proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Athletes who take
amino acid supplements follow the logic that supplements can directly provide the required
amino acids by bypassing the process ofdigestion. Amino acids are also said to raise the
body?s nitrogen level, facilitating muscle repair. Without total repairthe body does not
recover and build up tissues.Daily activity can wearout muscles which begin to be in a need
for repair, leading to fatigue and soreness. Amino acids help repair these muscles before
strengthening them. Amino acids promote anabolism, which is the building up ofcells using
proteins and nucleic acids. In this way amino acids aid metabolism orthe set ofchemical
reactions in the body necessary for life processes.
Sleep Apnea and Amino Acid Status
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by snoring and pauses in breath.Sleep apnea
results in poor quality ofsleep and is often an indication ofsome underlying condition. In a
person with sleep apnea,the amino acid function becomes weak resulting in various medical
conditions. Amino acid status must therefore be assessed in orderto implement the right
treatment for sleep apnea.
Benefits of Glutamine
Glutamine, the most abundant free amino acid,is the nitrogen carrier thattransports nitrogen
in the body. It is said to be a conditionally essential amino acid as it can be manufactured by
the healthy body but generally has to be obtained from diet. Glutamine is stored in muscles
and can be manufactured in the lungs. Glutamine removes excess ammonia which is a waste
product. It also helps the available ammonia to be used in an optimum way to make other
amino acids, sugars and an antioxidantcalled glutathione. Glutamine boosts the immune
system and is also necessary for brain function and digestion. Glutaminepromotes the he aling
of wounds, stomach ulcers, and controls obesity.
Glutamine and Y our Immune System
The benefits ofGlutamine in protecting the gastrointestinal tract, orthe mucosa,needs
special mention. A healthy digestivesystem indicates a healthy immunesystem. Since 70%of
our immune system is concentratedin the digestive tract, glutamine is very helpful in
boosting the immune system.It helps heal the cells ofthe mucosa in the small and large
intestines and prevents symptoms ofInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It also helps prevent
peritonitis, the inflammation ofthe peritoneum (a thin membranethat lines the abdominal
wall). Glutamine is found in meat, poultry, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cabbage. Various
supplements arealso available in the market, making it very popularamong athletes.

3. Looking into the benefits ofglutamine,one can imagine how useful the otheramino acids can
be to the body. Biochemical Screening
A proper balance ofamino acids can build up your immune system, rejuvenateyourskin, keep
your digestivesystem in perfect working condition,enrich yourbloodstream and give you a
youthful vigor.
A difficulty in metabolizing proteins shows up in biochemical screening profiles. Therefore
having your amino acid level assessed is very important. Biochemical screening searches for
evidence ofdiseases or deficiencies or conditions that may precede these deficiencies. The aim
of screening is to try to limit ill health by preventing diseases ortreating them in their early
stages when they may go undetected, leading to serious health problems later. Ifprotein
status is not functioning properly you can be a victim to various inflammatory conditions and
degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia.Sleep apnea is also the likely
result ofan improperprotein status.
Helena Ederveen is an expert in assisting you to understand why you havedevelopedsnoring,
sleep apnoea, excessive tiredness and otherrelated issues. Helena is a clinical Nutritionist,
Master PractitionerNLP, Advanced Eriksonian Hypnosis Practitioner.Go to snoring remedies
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