The Role of Amino Acids in The Human Body

Alanine Helps the body synthesize pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
Arginine Used to treat excess ammonia in the blood because of liver disease; stimulates human growth hormone
Asparagine Acts likea drug that promotes the release of urine; found in many proteins in the body
Aciaspartic Helps detoxify liver, may increase stamina and resistance to fatigue
Carnitine Helps the body produce energy from food
Cysteine An important source of sulfur for many body actions
Glutamine Affects mental processes, mental health
Glycine Found in many animal and plant proteins; necessary for musle contraction; helps build musle tissue
Histidine Found in histamine (a vasodilator); acids in the productionof gastric jucies; affects digestion
*Isoleucine Necessary for proper growth in infants and nitrogen balance in adults; essential for hemoglobin formation
*Leucine Affects blod sugar levels; essential for optimal growth in infants and nitrogen balance in adults
*Lysine Promotes growth, tissue repair, production of antibodies, hormones and enzymes
*Methionine Used in the treatment of liver disease
*Phenylalanine Induces significant increases in nor-epinephrine, dopamine and epinephrine
Proline A constituent of collagen; helps heal cartilage; improves skin texture
Serine Affects metabolism
Taurine Regulates nervous system and muscles
*Threonine Helps maintain protein balance
*Tryptophan Is the base of seratonin and niacin; affects mood, ability to sleep, produces B complex vitamins
Tyrosine Is the base for melanin, making the color of skin, and several hormones; affects mood
*Valine Acts as a stimulant

* Essential amino acids: Humans can’t manufacture these and they must therefore be obtained from the foods we eat.