THE AMINO ACID Sources
Alanine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, corn, dairy products, eggs, fish, gelatin, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Alanine is vital for the production of protein, essential for proper function of the central nervous system and helps form neurotransmitters. Only the L form of amino acids are constituents of protein. An important source of energy for muscle tissue, the brain and central nervous system; strengthens the immune system by producing antibodies; helps in the metabolism of sugars and organic acids.
Arginine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, carob, caseinate, chocolate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, oatmeal, popcorn, raisins, seafood, seeds, sesame seeds, soy, sunflower seeds, whey, whole grains. Arginine is vital for the production of protein. Only the L form of amino acids are constituents of protein. Arginine crosses the blood-brain barrier, is a precursor for nitric oxide and is a responsible for the secretion of hormones such as growth hormone, glucagon and insulin. Assists in wound healing, helps remove excess ammonia from the body, stimulates immune function, and promotes secretion of several hormones, including glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone.
Asparagine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Asparagine is a non-essential amino acid that the body can manufacture in the liver. Only the L form of amino acids are constituents of protein.
Aspartic Acid Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, sugar beet molasses, whey, whole grains, young sugar cane. Hydrolysis of asparagine. Reaction of ammonia with diethyl fumarate. Combines with other amino acids to form compounds that absorb and remove toxins from the bloodstream.
Citruline Melons; Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Cucumber. It is used for the detoxification of ammonia, a byproduct of protein breakdown, and in the treatment of fatigue. It is also thought to stimulate the immune system.
Cystine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Hydrolysis of keratin. Strengthens the protective lining of the stomach and intestines, which may help prevent damage caused by aspirin and similar drugs. Functions as an antioxidant and is a powerful aid to the body in protecting against radiation and pollution.
Glutamic Acid Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and protein-rich plant foods The most common excitatory (stimulating) neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, has protective effects on the heart muscle in people with heart disease.
Glutamine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Hydrolysis of gluten, beet root or other proteins. Serves as a source of fuel for cells lining the intestines, also used by white blood cells and is important for immune function.
Glutathione Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, asparagus, avocado, and walnuts A significant component of the collective antioxidant defenses, and a highly potent antioxidant and antitoxin in its own right.
Glycine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, gelatin, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, sugar cane, whey, whole grains. Reaction of ammonia with chloroacetic acid. The ability to inhibit neurotransmitter signals in the central nervous system.
Histidine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Neurotransmitter, stimulant of gastric secretion, vasodilator, and blood pressure regulator.
Hydroxyproline Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, gelatin, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Non-essential amino acid, a precursor of proline which is needed for collagen production.
Isoleucine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, corn, dairy products, eggs, fish, hemp seed, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, pumpkin seed, seafood, seeds, soy, squash seed, whey, whole grains. Synthetic: amination of alpha-bromo-beta-methylvaleric acid. Helps preventing muscle protein breakdown during exercise, preventing muscle loss at high altitudes and prolonging endurance performance in the heat.
Leucine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, corn, dairy products, eggs, fish, hemp seed, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, pumpkin seeds, seafood, seeds, soy, squash seeds, whey, whole grains. Synthetic: alpha-bromo acid. Helps with the regulation of blood-sugar levels, the growth and repair of muscle tissue (such as bones, skin and muscles), growth hormone production, wound healing as well as energy regulation. Prevents the breakdown of muscle proteins.
Lysine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, cheese, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, lima beans, meat, milk, nuts, potatoes, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains, yeast. Fermentation of glucose or other carbohydrates, synthesis from caprolactam. Helps with the building of muscle protein, assists in fighting herpes and cold sores. It is required for growth and bone development in children, assists in calcium absorption and maintaining the correct nitrogen balance in the body and maintaining lean body mass.
Methionine Brewer’s yeast, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, meat, seafood, whey. Synthesized from HCN, acrolein and methyl mercaptan. Supplies sulfur and other compounds required by the body for normal metabolism and growth. Improves memory recall in people with AIDS-related nervous system degeneration.
Ornithine Meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Induces the release of growth hormone in the body, which in turn helps with fat metabolism. It is required for a properly functioning immune system and liver and assists in ammonia detoxification and liver rejuvenation. Helps in healing and repairing skin and tissue.
Phenylalanine Almonds, avocado, bananas, beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, cheese, corn, cottage cheese, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, lima beans, meat, nuts, ovalbumin, peanuts, pickled herring, pumpkin seeds, seafood, seeds, sesame seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Synthesis of alpha-acetaminocinnamic acid. Influences certain chemicals in the brain that relate to pain sensation. Helpful for some people with Parkinson’s disease and has been used to treat chronic pain. It is used in elevating the mood since it is so closely involved with the nervous system. It helps with memory and learning. It has been used as an appetite suppressant.
Proline Avocados, beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Synthesized from ornithine and glutamic acid. Helps strengthen cardiac muscle, improves skin texture and aids collagen formation and helps contain the loss of collagen during aging.
Serine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Synthesized from glycine. Serine is required for the metabolism of fat, tissue growth and the immune system as it assists in the production of immunoglobulins and antibodies.
Taurine Brewer’s yeast, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, meat, ox bile, seafood. Is needed for fat digestion, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, the control of cholesterol serum levels in the body, maintaining cell membrane integrity.
Threonine Beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, nuts, seafood, seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Threonine is important for the formation of many proteins and tooth enamel, collagen, and elastrin. It metabolizes fat and prevents the buildup of fat in the liver, and is useful with intestinal disorders, and indigestion. Antiulcer.
Tryptophan Bananas, beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, cottage cheese, dairy products, dates, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, meat, milk, nuts, peanuts, protein (hydrolysis), seafood, seeds, soy, turkey, whey, whole grains. Synthetic: conversion of indole to gramine with methylation then interaction with acetylaminomalonic ester and hydrolysis. Tryptophan is essential for the production of the B vitamin, niacin, which is vital for the brain to manufacture the key neurotransmitter, serotonin. It enhances the release of growth hormones, and suppresses the appetite.
Tyrosine Almonds, avocados, bananas, beans, brewer’s yeast, brown rice bran, caseinate, cheese, cottage cheese, dairy products, eggs, fish, lactalbumin, legumes, lima beans, meat, milk, nuts, peanuts, pickled herring, pumpkin seeds, seafood, seeds, sesame seeds, soy, whey, whole grains. Helps in suppressing the appetite and reducing body fat, production of skin and hair pigment, the proper functioning of the thyroid as well as the pituitary and adrenal gland.
Valine Dairy products and red meat. Whey protein and egg protein supplements. Promotes mental vigor, muscle coordination and calm emotions. Preventing muscle loss at high altitudes.