Amino Acids – As Important As Vitamins

I recently came across a medical textbook that was published in 1963, and at the time was sold to the general public as an authority text. In this book, amino acids are given a very short mention – maybe one half page. The article indicates that only eight of the more than 20 amino acids are necessary to provide the ‘nitrogen balance’ necessary for health and growth in the human body. The eight listed in the book are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophane, and valine.

In the article it is acknowledged that there are possibly other amino acids necessary for children, pregnant women, or others under exceptional circumstances. The article does not list what might be considered “exceptional circumstances” though other sources would seem to indicate that starvation could be one of the circumstances.

This article did not distinguish between essential and non-essential amino acids, but the difference is that essential amino acids cannot be manufactured or stored within the body and must be supplied regularly in the diet, non essential amino acids can be created within the body from essential amino acids. All of the amino acids whether essential or non essential are necessary for a healthy body. Amino acids build cells, protect the body from viruses or bacteria, repair damaged tissue, are the sources of hormones, hair, nails, skin, membranes, keep our reproductive systems active, and carry oxygen through the body along with other functions..

The knowledge on amino acids has advanced considerably since the above mentioned text was published. According to a current listing of amino acids, the range of them includes alanine, agrinine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, praline, serine, threonine, tryptophane, tyrosine, and valine.

The amino acids generally accepted as “non-essential” are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.

The amino acids generally accepted as essential include arginine, histidien, isleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenlalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

An adequate diet must contain enough protein to supply these amino acids. The generally accepted sources of amino acids are meat and dairy products. One advocate of eating meat to supply amino acids goes so far as to state, that any negative statements against eating meat are lies advanced by animal worshipers. However, the necessary amino acids can be supplied on a vegetarian or vegan diet but good nutritional planning is necessary to make sure of an adequate supply.

Certain combinations of cereal grains (wheat, corn, and rice) along with legumes (beans, peanuts) will provide a complete amino acid. There are ethnic combinations that put the ingredients into a single dish, such as Mexican corn and beans, and the red beans and rice served in the delta country of Louisiana. It would appear that the Indians of the plateau country in the four corners region of the United States knew what they were about when they planted beans, corn and squash in the same hole.

Each amino acid has what would amount to an assigned role in the building, maintenance and repair of the body. The human body cannot function for very long without an adequate supply of amino acids. Therefore, a balanced diet with an appropriate amount of protein related to age and body mass is necessary. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has many charts and references for the amount of dietary protein necessary to furnish adequate amino acids based on gender, age, and body weight.

There are amino acid supplements that can be purchased to correct any deficiencies within the body, but, as with all supplements, it should be discussed with a physician before beginning a supplement regime.