Amino Acid
July 27th 2009 00:30
An amino acid can be defined as any of a large group of organic compounds which represent the end products of protein breakdown. All proteins are made up of amino cids. Life without protein is not possible.
Growth, development, and function depend upon protein, which, in turn, depends upon correct availability of amino acids. When we take protein it must be first be broken down into amino acids before it can absorbed by the body. This takes place into small bowel. From there, the fragments of protein are carried to the liver by the blood stream, where they are store for future use. When needed by the body, these fragments are finally recombined into types of protein needed by each particular kind of cell.
The mere division of nutrients into groups such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids does not mean that they are effective individually. An interrelationship exists among the three nutrients, and they may lose their efficiency if any one of the nutrients is not present in it optimum quantity. All proteins are not nutritionally equal. This difference in nutritional value is based on the amino acid composition of different proteins. This has led to the concept of Essential Amino Acids and Non-Essential Amino Acids. An essential amino acid is indispensable, meaning it cannot be synthesized in the body in adequate amounts to meet requirements for protein synthesis. Taking a diet which does not contain adequate amounts of any of the essential amino acids, leads to negative nitrogen balance. This can occur even when the total dietary intake of protein is apparently adequate.
By contrast, non-essential amino acids can be omitted from the diet, so long as it contains adequate amounts of total protein. This is so because the body can manufacture them in adequate amounts to meet at the needs for protein synthesis. Non-essential amino acids are, therefore, dispensable.
There are lots of interesting truths that need to discuss about amino acids. But I just want to further the discussion next time while presenting the 23 essential amino acids and the 13 non-essential amino acids. Till next time.
Sources: books on Healthy Living and Natural Vitamins, etc.
Growth, development, and function depend upon protein, which, in turn, depends upon correct availability of amino acids. When we take protein it must be first be broken down into amino acids before it can absorbed by the body. This takes place into small bowel. From there, the fragments of protein are carried to the liver by the blood stream, where they are store for future use. When needed by the body, these fragments are finally recombined into types of protein needed by each particular kind of cell.
The mere division of nutrients into groups such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids does not mean that they are effective individually. An interrelationship exists among the three nutrients, and they may lose their efficiency if any one of the nutrients is not present in it optimum quantity. All proteins are not nutritionally equal. This difference in nutritional value is based on the amino acid composition of different proteins. This has led to the concept of Essential Amino Acids and Non-Essential Amino Acids. An essential amino acid is indispensable, meaning it cannot be synthesized in the body in adequate amounts to meet requirements for protein synthesis. Taking a diet which does not contain adequate amounts of any of the essential amino acids, leads to negative nitrogen balance. This can occur even when the total dietary intake of protein is apparently adequate.
By contrast, non-essential amino acids can be omitted from the diet, so long as it contains adequate amounts of total protein. This is so because the body can manufacture them in adequate amounts to meet at the needs for protein synthesis. Non-essential amino acids are, therefore, dispensable.
There are lots of interesting truths that need to discuss about amino acids. But I just want to further the discussion next time while presenting the 23 essential amino acids and the 13 non-essential amino acids. Till next time.
Sources: books on Healthy Living and Natural Vitamins, etc.
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