Fat Soluble Vitamins & Amino Acids

Amaranth

used by the Aztecs

a leafy weedy plant that produces a large amount of seeds

Vitamin

an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts

called this when the organism cannot synthesize the compound in sufficient quantities and it must be obtained through the diet

Vitamin A

helps cell reproduction and stimulates immunity and needed for the formation of hormones

helps vision, promotes bone growth and tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucus membranes

helps the heart and lungs and protects against measles

Vitamin C

an antioxidant that protects body tissues from the damage of oxidation

act to protect cells against the effects of free radicals

ex: chestnuts and edamame

Vitamin D

a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make

fat soluble that helps to body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus to build bone

can reduce cancer cell growth, control infections, and reduce inflammation

Vitamin E

an antioxidant important to form red blood cells and in the use of vitamin K

Vitamin K

fat soluble and plays a critical role in blood clotting

regulates blood calcium and activates 3 proteins involved in bone health

Glutamine

most abundant amino acid in the body

needs more during extreme stress

most stored in muscles and made in the lungs

removes excess ammonia and helps immune function, also needed for brain function and digestion

high cortisol levels lower these levels

helps those with HIV increase weight and absorb intestinal nutrients

reduces stomatitis caused by chemo

not the same as glutamate and gluten

Tryptophan

an essential amino acid needed for normal infant growth and nitrogen balance in adults

helps produce chemicals that induce sleep

5 HTP

tryptophan is converted to this, that then converts to serotonin → not given to kids

has a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain

made from the seeds of griffonia simplicifolia

may work as an antidepressant, for fibromyalgia, and insomnia

Tyrosine

nonessential amino acid that makes phenylalanine → those with PKU may be deficient in this

Lysine

essential amino acid important for proper growth and helps produce carnitine → converts fatty acids into energy and lowers cholesterol

antiviral effects by blocking the activity of arginine that promotes HSV replication

could treat osteoporosis bc it builds bone and promotes collagen

Theanine

from green and black tea

passes through the blood brain barrier within 30 mins

used for stress relief, treating anxiety, improving concentration and focus

benefits anxiety by increasing levels of dopamine and GABA

Taurine

not an amino acid bc it doesn’t contain an amino and carboxyl group

an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of substances

reduces secretion of B100

helps with congestive heart failure by increasing force of heart beats

necessary for normal skeletal muscle function

Glutamate

needed for citric acid cycle, taste of umami, food additive of MSG

most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system

a precursor for synthesizing GABA to calm things down

influences stiff person syndrome bc of no GABBA

increases eosinophils and inflammation

flavor of umami

MSG

the salt version of glutamic acid used as a food additive and flavor

GABA

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

GI tract is packed with receptors and its critical for bowel contraction

insufficient levels are seen in autistic kids

high levels seen in the hypothalamus and is vital for HPA axis and ANS

rubella virus in the MMR shot decreases activity which is why kids shows autistic tendencies after vaccination