Biochem Amino Acids Functions

Alanine, Ala, A

Mother of all amino acids.

Plays a major role in the transfer of nitrogen from peripheral tissue to the liver

Arginine, Arg, R

Increases the size and activity of the thymus gland

Treats sterility in men by increasing sperm count and blood flow to the penis

Major component of collagen

Aids in stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin

Asparagine, Asn, N

Required by the nervous system because it maintains balance in the brain and nervous system

Detoxifies ammonia from the body

Aspartic Acid, Asp, D

Major excitatory neurotransmitter

Increases stamina and helps with chronic fatigue and depression

Protects the liver via the expulsion of ammonia

Combines with other amino acids to absorb toxins and remove them from the body

Cysteine, Cys, C

Functions as a powerful antioxidant in detoxifying toxic substances

Slows down the aging process

Promotes healing from severe burns and surgery

Skin and hair are made of 10-14% cystine (Found abundantly in natural curly hair)

Glutamic acid, Glu, E

Excitatory neurotransmitter for the CNS, brain, and spinal cord

Aids in the transport of Potassium into spinal fluid

Helps correct personality disorders and is used in the treatment of epilepsy, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, and ulcers

Glutamine, Gln, Q

Commonly found in muscles

Helps and maintains muscle tissue

Considered "brain fuel" as it increases brain function and mental activity

Assists in maintaining the proper acid/alkaline balance in the body

Glycine, Gly, G

Simplest amino acid

Optically inactive because of the a lack of an asmetrical alpha-carbon

"Stops" muscle degeneration

Promotes healthy prostate, central nervous system, and immune system

Histidine, His, H

Only amino acid being able to buffer pH levels

Found abundantly in hemoglobin

Important for the maintainance of myelin sheaths, protecting nerve cells

Causes vasodilation from the decarboxylation of histadine and causes the symptoms most associated with fevers and allergies

Isoleucine, Ile, I

Needed for the formation of hemoglobin

Balances blood energy and sugar levels

Leucine, Leu, L

Associated with digestive enzymes

Works together with Isoleucine and Valine to promote the healing of muscle, skin, and bone tissue

Lysine, Lys, K

Found in collagen

Aids in the assimilation of other amino acids

Methionine, Met, M

Initiates protein synthesis

Powerful oxidant and source of sulfur, which can prevent disorders in the hair, skin, and nails

Reduces the levels of histamine in the body which can cause the brain to relay wrong messages

Phenylalanine, Phe, F

Utilization of Vitamin C

Converted into thyroxine (Tyr, T)

When people lack an enzyme to convert this into thyroxine, it undergoes an alternative metabolic pathway producing phenylpyruvic acid

Phenylpyruvic acid

Produced when Phenylalinine (Phe, F) undergoes an alternative metabolic pathway

Causes pku disease or phenylketonuria (mental retardation in infants that are lacking in the enzyme that converts Phe into Tyr, this disease cannot be cured. but can be managed by restricting foods rich in Phe such as meat)

Proline, Pro, P

Called "imino acid" or "alpha-helix breaker" as it disrupts and inhibits the formation of an alpha-helix of -COOH.

Contributes to better skin texture via collagen production and slower loss of collagen through aging

Serine, Ser, S

Part of phosphoprotein

Phosphate group is attached to this amino acid

Component of myelin sheaths that protect nerve fibers

Aids in the production of immunoglobins and antibodies

Threonine, Thr, T

Important in building tissue and utilzation of nutrients

Regulates protein balance in the body

Tryptophan, Trp, W

Utilization of B-vitamins and the synthesis of neurotransmitters

Found in the charred portions of broiled fish and meat, which is responsible for cancer diseases

A natural relaxant that alleviates insomnia by inducing normal sleep

Tyrosine, Tyr, Y

Needed in the synthesis of some thyroid hormones

Important in overall metabolism

Precursor of adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which regulate mood and stimulates metabolism in the nervous system

Valine, Val, V

Important for the functioning of the nervous system

Contributes to muscle and tissue repair

Ensures proper nitrogen levels in the body