Amino Acid Functions
For the Biochemical
Clinician understanding the amino acids according to their functions is
most useful approach, and lead directly to recommendations for
supplementation. This functional way of understanding and classifying
amino acids builds on the "Glycemic Versus Ketogenic" system and greatly
amplifies and clarifies amino acid functions.
Neurotransmitter Amino Acids:
Abnormalities in this group are widespread in their implications,
and are seen in virtually all mental/emotional problems,
primary brain problems (stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy),
depression, anxiety, insomnia, poor concentration, memory problems, and
mental exhaustion.
Aspartic acid, Asparagine, GABA, Glutaminic acid,
Glutamine, Glycine, Phenylalanine, Taurine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine.
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA):
This group contributes to protein
synthesis. Surgery, deficiencies, are associated with injury, exercise,
and muscle wasting. With Chronic Fatique Syndrome(CFS), one usually sees
deficiencies in this group, which relates to easily fatiguability and
post-exertional exhaustion.
Glutamine, Isoleucine, Leucine,
Valine.
Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids:
Deficiencies in this group are associated with food
allergies and chemical sensitivity.
Cystine/Cysteine, Methionine, Taurine.
Glycogenic Amino Acids:
Deficiencies in this group are associated with problems
with sugar metabolism, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, candidiasis, poor
concentration, abnormalities in zinc and/or chromium levels, and
fatique.
Alanine, Glutamine, Glycine, Serine, Threonine.
Urea Cycle Amino Acids:
Deficiencies can be associated with liver(see
liver) disease, kidney
disease, or strenuous exercise.
Arginine, Aspartic acid, Citrulline (minor amino acid),
Ornithine (minor amino acid).
Connective Tissue Amino Acids:
Abnormalities within this group are associated with
trauma, surgery, muscle wasting, and strenuous exercise.
Hydroxyproline (minor), Hydroxylysine (minor),
Proline.
Amino Acids that give clues about Non-Amino Acid
Defieceincies:
1. Phosphoserine (minor amino acid):
Elevated blood levels of Phosphoserine is predicative of a
deficiency of pyridoxal-5-phosphate(P5P), a critical form of vit B-6.
Without adequate blood levels of P5P, many amino acid reactions become
impaired.
2. Histidine:
Abnormally high levels of histidine are associated with
abnormally low levels of Zinc, and vice versa.
3. Taurine:
Abnormally low level of Taurine are suggestive of vit B12
deficiency, zinc deficiency, and vit A deficiency.
4. Arginine:
Deficiency indicates a weekened immune system.
5. Histidine:
Deficiency is associated with auto-immune disease.
6. Lysine:
Deficiency is suggestive of viral infection.
7. Taurine:
Defieciency is suggestive of generalized
candidiasis.
8.Threonine:
Deficiency is associated with AIDS.
