Amino acids are the building blocks of all life forms and also the chemical basis for all proteins. Proteins are one of the biggest components of our bodies. Our bodies use amino acids to form proteins, which build everything from muscles and bones, skin and hair, to internal organs and fluids. Besides building cells and repairing tissue, they form antibodies to combat invading bacteria & viruses; they are part of the enzyme & hormonal system; they build nucleoproteins (RNA & DNA); they carry oxygen throughout the body and participate in muscle activities.
 
What are Essential and Non-essential Amino Acids?
 
There are totally about 20 amino acids. These can be divided into two basic groups:
  • Essential and
  • Non-essential
The essential amino acids are those, which the body cannot produce. It is obtained only through diet or external supplementation.

Those Amino Acids, which are produced in the body with the help of Essential Amino Acids are known as Non-essential Amino Acids.

 
What is the importance of Essential Amino Acids?
 
For the formation of body proteins all Essential Amino Acids has be present in sufficient quantities at the same time. Even if one Essential Amino Acid is deficient or absent then the body protein synthesis will be affected.

Ultimately body is dependent on food for its Amino Acid requirements. Even though it can make its own non Essential Amino Acids from other Amino Acids, for proper body protein formation, it is highly dependent on dietary source of Amino Acids.

Amino Acids, especially the Essential Amino Acids, are to be obtained from external sources only, failing which Amino Acid deficiencies will occur. More over not all food contains all Essential Amino Acids in sufficient amounts.

 
What is role of Amino Acids in clinical conditions?
 
  • Injury :
    In the case of injury, the cells are destroyed at the site of injury. Further there will be blood loss too. Basically, the cell membrane and cytoplasm in cell are made up of proteins. New cells can be formed only with the help of amino acids.

  • Convalescence :
    After prolonged illness when a patient is recovering, he is said to be in a state of convalescence. At this state for the normal functioning of body, body proteins such as enzymes, hormones etc. are to be formed for which Amino Acids specifically, the Essential Amino Acids are required.

  • Diabetes :
    Diabetes is a carbohydrate disorder, where the body is unable to utilise glucose as energy source and breaks down body protein into free Amino Acids and utilise them for energy. Owing to the nature of the disease, people suffering from Diabetes are on a restricted diet which eventually may lead to poor immuno competence. Hence, supplementation of Amino Acids helps maintain the nutritional status of the patient.

  • Alcoholism :
    Chronic Alcoholics don’t eat nutritious food. Whatever they eat, just fill the space in the stomach and don’t contribute for energy release. Further, their liver will be affected which in turn affects the normal metabolism. Providing Amino Acids not only corrects the metabolic function but also serves as additional energy source.

  • Growth :
    Since the cell membrane and cytoplasm are made up of body proteins, body needs Amino Acids for proper growth of the cells. Even for the periodic replacement of cells like RBC that has a life span of 120 days and WBC with a life span of 14 days, Amino Acids are required by the body.

  • Pregnancy & Lactation :
    During pregnancy, various activities in the body of the expectant mother is altered. As the foetus grows, the nutritional requirement of the expectant mother also increases. Supplementation of Amino Acids helps improve the mother’s nutritional status. Further, during lactation, for the breast to secrete milk (which is also a body protein) Amino Acids are needed.
 
Amazing facts about Amino Acids:
 
  • Amino acids account for 75% of dry body weight (total weight minus water weight).
  • All protein, 100%, is made up of amino acids... and proteins regulate nearly every biochemical reaction in the body.
  • Human body needs all twenty-two amino acids to make the 50,000-plus proteins present in the body.
  • Amino acids make the many enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other chemical messengers that regulate the body.
  • Some individual amino acids can help health problems, including heart disease, insomnia, and herpes.
  • 100% of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, aspartate, glutamate, are made of amino acids.
  • 100% of hormones are made up of amino acids. Sex hormones are made up of amino acids plus fat or lipids.
  • 100% of neuropeptides, the substances the brain releases with every thought, are amino acids.
  • 100% of peptides are made up of amino acids.
  • 95% of muscle is made up of amino acids.
  • Amino Acids are the major contents of the involuntary muscles present in the heart.
 
 
Click here to know more about our Amino Acid range of products:
Click here to know more about the roles of individual amino acids in the human body: