The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well known to nutritional scientists, and widely understood by the general population. Indeed, every bodily system is directly or indirectly supported by protein. For example, protein supports the structural development of cells, helps ensure the integrity of tissue, aids digestion, carries hormones, and strengthens the immune system[i].
More recently, however, the motivation for people to choose protein-rich foods has been fueled by carbohydrate-free and carbohydrate-reduced diets, such as the Atkins? Diet, South Beach Diet? and Isometric Diet?. Via each of these diet programs, millions of people are vigilantly scanning food labels, and asking pertinent health questions when eating out. Added to this growing number of protein-aware people are, of course, the millions of bodybuilders, powerlifters and athletes who have demonstrated for centuries the irreplaceable value of protein in building and maintaining muscle.
As impressive and inspiring as it is to see that more people than ever before are "protein-conscious", there is still more useful protein information to learn. It is well past time to add an understanding of amino acids to this protein knowledge base.
Many people ? understandably -- do not recognize that amino acids are not acids as they are conventionally understood. Rather, they are the molecular units that comprise protein. They are, quite simply, the very building blocks of protein.
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain two groups of molecules: amino (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH). There are a total of 19 amino acids in the human diet, of which 11 are non-essential, and the remaining 8 are essential. It is this critically important fact ? that there are 2 kinds of amino acids -- that should be well understood and acted upon by eaters everywhere.
If the term "amino acid" does not readily suggest the link to protein, the terms "non-essential" amino acids and "essential" amino acids can be sources of even greater confusion. The nutritional world is fond of the word "essential", and uses it often to describe something that is important, or critical, or irreplaceable. For example, a nutritionist may rationally inform her patient that eating 50 grams of protein per day is essential; and by this she means "very important".
This same application of the term does now, however, flow to the "essential" and "non essential" amino acid vocabulary.
Non-essential amino acids are those that the body is able to synthesize itself. This does not mean, of course, that the body can create these non-essential amino acids out of nothing. Rather, it means that the body's own internal laboratory can create these 11 non-essential amino acids from raw materials. It is for this reason that these 11 amino acids are called non-essential; it has nothing to do with the term "important" or "unimportant". These 11 non-essential amino acids include, in alphabetical order:[ii]
- Alanine
- Arginine
- Asparagine
- Aspartic Acid
- Cysteine
- Glutamic Acid
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Histidine
- Proline
- Tyrosine
The remaining 8 amino acids are called essential; and this refers to the fact that they cannot be synthesized. The body can only receive them exogenously (eg. through food). These essential amino acids include, in alphabetical order:[iii]
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Serine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Understanding the importance of amino acids is critical, because a failure to eat foods that contain these essential amino acids can lead to deficiency and adverse health effects. These effects can include ? but are not limited to -- fatigue, allergies, loss of memory, and even heart disease[iv]. When one considers the pain and suffering caused by any of these four ill health effects, and the myriad of subsequent ailments that they can provoke, it becomes readily apparent that a knowledge of amino acids, and especially "essential" amino acids, must be a part of an intelligent eater's knowledge base.
While there has been some movement on the part of nutritional supplement companies to provide eaters with convenient and palatable sources of protein, many of them have put their marketing needs first and ignored amino acids altogether. As a consequence of this omission, some eaters are actually suffering from an "overdose" of incomplete protein. This is because what they are eating may not provide them with the total, essential protein that they need. The only complete proteins on the planet are derived from dairy, meat, fish, poultry and soy, and these foods are not present in our most common foods. There are, however, protein supplements that also offer proteins with the full spectrum of amino acids.
The solution here is uncomplicated and accessible. Eaters must simply choose to eat foods and nutritional supplements that offer a "complete" source of protein. This means that all 19 essential amino acids must be present including, of course, the "essential 8" amino acids that the body cannot synthesize.
There are some companies ? though still clearly in the minority ? that create nutritional supplements that carefully ensure that all of the amino acids are present. It is notable that these companies do not necessarily have to do this, since neither the Food and Drug Administration nor many consumers are demanding this from their food labeling; at least, not yet. This is all the more reason to laud those companies that are putting people and nutrition first, and marketing a distant second.
ABOUT PROTICA
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com
You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com
REFERENCES
[i] Source: "Amino Acids. Diet-and-health-net. http://www.diet-and-health.net/Nutrients/AminoAcids.html
[ii] Source: "Amino Acids". About.com. http://exercise.about.com/library/Glossary/bldef-amino_acids.htm
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Source: "What are Amino Acids?". Vanderbilt University. http://vanderbiltowc.wellsource.com/dh/content.asp?ID=759
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
residential cleaning services Winnetka ..Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a... Read More
Eating healthy and taking care of yourself is essential to... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
Coq10 is also known as Coenzyme Q10.This co q10 is... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
high-end home cleaning Highland Park ..Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
How Can... Read More
The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Before the thirties, people knew the importance of mineral. Their... Read More
When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
Nutrition |