Amino acids constituting proteins and nutritional and physiological regulators
Do you fall into one of these categories?
Vegan.
Sportsmen.
Pregnancy.
Over 70 years old.
Overweight, obesity, calorie restriction.
Liver problem.
Diabetes.
Depression, burn-out, neurodegenerative disease.
Cancer.
It is then important for you to know your amino acid pool.
Amino acids are organic substances that are the “bricks” that make up each protein. There are more than 500 in nature, but only 21 enter the basic structure of proteins.
Amino acids are classified into two categories: essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids according to the growth and balance needs of human metabolism.
Essential Amino Acids must be supplied in adequate amounts through the diet and properly digested by the body.
On the contrary, Non-Essential Amino Acids are synthesized in sufficient quantities by the body. Dietary Amino Acids are absorbed in the small intestine to enter the bloodstream.
Amino Acids are involved at all levels of the body's development. In addition to building up proteins, they act as nutritional and physiological regulators.
The dysregulation of amino acid metabolism is linked to certain pathologies.
Some examples below:
ALANINE : Use of sugar, Liver well-being, Anti-oxidant.
ARGININE : Antioxidant, Regulation of hormonal secretion, Regulation of gene expression, Immune function, Regulator of nutrient metabolism, vascular tone, hemodynamics, angiogenesis, spermatogenesis, embryogenesis, fertility, wound healing.
ASPARAGINE : Metabolism and physiology of cells, Regulation of gene expression and immune function, Functioning of the nervous system
GLUTAMATE : Synthesis of glutamine (fuel for intestinal cells).
Amino acids and pregnancy
Amino acids play an important role during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy.
Dietary monitoring of maternal energy balance, including accurate estimation of calorie intake, with emphasis on the quality and quantity in particular of protein intake, as well as other macro and micronutrients, are considered important not only for omnivorous pregnancies, but also for vegetarians or vegans.
The quantification of free amino acids in plasma, apart from routine tests, is useful for optimizing the conditions for a good pregnancy from procreation to childbirth and for the health of the future child.
It is important to know the value of amino acids to determine whether food intake, digestion and protein assimilation provides balanced coverage for optimal functioning of the organism (neither too much nor too little) and thus to determine the possible risk factors for the appearance of pathologies.
