Amino acids are used in the formation of proteins, and peptides. It is an indispensable chemical that the body require for optimal functioning, and metabolism of the body. Amino acids play a significant role in protein synthesis. It acts as a predecessor in the formation of secondary molecules, and metabolism. Let us see more about the importance of amino acids in the body.
What Are Amino Acids?
Our body requires twenty different types of amino acids for sound growth and functioning of the body. Amino acids are basically organic compounds that are made up of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. These are histidine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, valine, and tryptophan.
Amino acids are not synthesized by the body, so we have to rely on animal proteins such as meat, dairy products, poultry, and eggs to get the right amounts of it. By eating these foods, protein gets disintegrated into amino acids. This helps the body with several procedures like forming muscle and administering immune function in the body.
Different functions of amino acids
There are a total nine amino acids that performs different types of roles in the body.
Valine: Valine helps in the stimulation of muscle development and regeneration of energy production.
Phenylalanine is a predecessor for the different neurotransmitters such as tyrosine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It plays a very important role in production of amino acids, and defining the function, and structure of enzymes in the body.
Tryptophan: Tryptophan helps in maintaining adequate balance of nitrogen in the body. It works as a neurotransmitter “serotonin” that controls your sleep, mood, and appetite.
Histidine: Histidine is another neurotransmitter in the body that is an important requirement in the body. Some of the benefits of Histidine amino acid is better immune response, efficient digestion, heightened sexual function and regulate sleep cycles. It maintains a protective layer surrounding the nerve cells in the body.
Threonine: It is a major component of skin connective tissues such as elastin, and collagen. Threonine plays a significant role in metabolism of fat and immunity power in the body.
Leucine: Leucine is a beneficial component for repair of damaged muscles, and synthesis of protein in the body. It aids in normalizing elevated levels of blood sugar in the body. It boosts healing of wounds and creation of human growth hormones in the body.
Isoleucine: Isoleucine aids in metabolism of muscle. This amino acid stimulates the defense mechanism of the body, production of hemoglobin and regulation of energy in the body.
Methionine: Methionine is critical in detoxification, and metabolism of the body. It is essential for the growth of tissue and the absorption of vital elements like selenium, zinc and minerals.
Lysine: Lysine is significant in protein synthesis. It is beneficial in secretion of enzymes, and hormone in the body. Adequate levels of Lysine help body to properly absorb and produce the right amounts of energy, elastin, and collagen.
Why Do We Need Amino Acids?
There are several benefits of amino acids like alleviating mood, enhancing exercise performance, preventing muscle loss and promoting weight loss in a person. Amino acids are critical for the development and repair activities in the body.
Protein, plays a significant role in building the structure of muscles, skin, and ligaments to the hair and nails. Here are a few major roles performed by amino acids in the body:
Production of Growth Hormone: Human Growth Hormone performs variety of functions to regulate the various activities of the body. Amino acids help in the creation of specific hormones, and stimulate release of hormones. Arginine, and lysine boosts the production of growth hormone. It encourages the development of cells that is found to be beneficial for children and people who wants to build big muscles.
Regulate Blood Sugar: Amino-acids contain protein that plays an important role in the regard. When you eat protein, then it triggers production of insulin level in the body. This causes a spike in hormone levels that, in turn, boosts the ability of body to manage the high levels of blood glucose. Efficient absorption of glucose by the cells help in improved energy production by the body.
Boosts Immunity Function: Our body has white blood cells that serves as a major tool against fighting infection in the body. Amino acids provide adequate amounts of energy to stimulate white blood cells to multiply in large numbers and fight off infection.
Conclusion
Looking at the therapeutic impact of amino acids on a wide range of body procedures, it makes it necessary to consume it in the right proportion for our very existence.