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
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have... Read More
Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts... Read More
Copyright ? 2004 priya shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Every where you look you see articles or news or... Read More
Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More
You are a mineral bodyEvery part of you is made... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entr?e or soup to... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
after renovation cleaning Bannockburn ..Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive... Read More
As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
Before the thirties, people knew the importance of mineral. Their... Read More
Zingiber officinale has been held in the highest regard by... Read More
First some terminology.Fructose ... a five carbon sugar that occurs... Read More
What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
How is it that we can't seem to think that... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
Nutrition |