Amino Acids

Question 1

What are the 3 different types of amino acids?

Answer 1

1. Essential - must be provided by the diet
2. Non-essential - can be synthesised by the body
3. Conditional - essential under certain circumstances e.g. infancy, illness, stress etc

Question 2

Name the 9 essential amino acids [PVT TIM HALL]

Answer 2

Phenylalanine
Valine
Threonine

Tryptophan
Isoleucine
Methionine

Histidine
Arginine
Leucine
Lysine

Question 3

Name the 4 nonessential amino acids [AAAG]

Answer 3

Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid and Glutamic acid

Question 4

Name the 7 conditional amino acids [ACGGPST]

Answer 4

Cysteine, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Serine and Tyrosine

Question 5

What are amino acids?

Answer 5

When proteins are digested or broken down, amino acids are left. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins to help the body break down food, grow, repair body tissue, create energy and perform many other body functions.

Question 6

Histidine functions? 2

Answer 6

Used to make histamine - reduced sensitivity to allergies

Enhances uptake Zn and inhibits uptake Cu

Question 7

Isoleucine functions? 2

Answer 7

1 of the 3 BCAA
Building muscle
Healing wounds and injuries

Question 8

Leucine functions? 1

Answer 8

1 of the 3 BCAA

Building muscle

Question 9

Valine functions? 1

Answer 9

1 of the 3 BCAA

Building muscle

Question 10

Lysine functions? 4

Answer 10

Precursor to Carnitine
Helps body absorb Ca (bone health)
Collagen formation
Relief with Herpes outbreaks

Question 11

Methionine functions [x11]

Answer 11

1. Assists in breakdown of fats
2. Precursor of Cysteine and Taurine
3. Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels
4. Antioxidant
5. Assists in removal of toxic wastes from liver
6. Neutralises free radicals
7. Helps prevent disorder of hair, skin and nails due to sulfur and antioxidant activity
8. Precursor to Carnitine, Melatonin and Choline
9. Involved in the breakdown of Epinephrine, Histamine and Nicotinic Acid
10. Required for synthesis of RNA and DNA
11. Natural chelating agent for heavy metals e.g. lead and mercury

Question 12

Phenylalanine [x7]

Answer 12

1. Precursor to Tyrosine which in turn is the precursor to the neurotransmitters Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine
2. Enhances mood, clarity of thought, concentration and memory
3. Suppresses appetite
4. Major part of collagen formation
5. Reducing arthritic pain
6. Powerful anti-depressant
7. Used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Question 13

When should Phenylalanine be avoided?

Answer 13

High BP, pregnancy, pigmented melanoma, PKU, panic disorder/anxiety attacks

Question 14

Threonine [x7]

Answer 14

1. Formation of collagen
2. Helps prevent fatty deposits in liver
3. Aids in production of antibodies
4. Can be converted to Glycine in the CNS
5. Detoxifier
6. Needed by the GI for normal functioning
7. Symptomatic relief in ALS

Question 15

When is threonine often found to be low?

Answer 15

Depressed patients

Question 16

Tryptophan [x9]

Answer 16

1. Precursor to serotonin
2. Effective sleep aid
3. Reduces anxiety
4. Effective in some forms of depression
5. Migraine headaches
6. Stimulates growth hormone
7. Along with Lysine, Carnitine and Taurine, is effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
8. Can be converted into Vitamin B3
9. Lowers risk of arterial spasms

Question 17

What does Tryptophan compete with?

Answer 17

Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine

Question 18

What does Tryptophan require to be converted to Serotonin?

Answer 18

Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P).

P5P deficiency will lower serotonin levels, even if Tryptophan levels are normal.

Question 19

Alanine functions [x4]

Answer 19

1. Important source of energy for muscle.
2. Primary amino acid in sugar metabolism.
3. Boosts immune system by producing antibodies
4. Major part of connective tissue

Question 20

Asparagine [x7]

Answer 20

1. Made from Aspartic Acid + ATP
2. Excitatory neurotransmitter (high levels found in the hippocampus and hypothalamus)
3. Aids removal of ammonia from the body
4. May increase insurance and decrease fatigue
5. Detoxifies harmful chemicals
6. Involved in DNA synthesis
7. Probably stimulates thymus gland

Question 21

Aspartic Acid [x5]

Answer 21

1. Interconvertible with Asparagine
2. Increases stamina
3. Helps protect the liver by aiding the removal of ammonia
4. Involved in DNA and RNA metabolism
5. Involved in immune system function by enhancing immunoglobulin production and antibody formation

Question 22

Glutamic Acid [x7]

Answer 22

1. Precursor to Glutamine and GABA (2 neurotransmitters)
2. Excitatory neurotransmitter
3. Helps stop alcohol and sugar cravings
4. Increases energy
5. Accelerates wound healing and ulcer healing
6. Detoxifies ammonia in the brain by forming glutamine which can cross the blood-brain barrier
7. DNA synthesis

Question 23

Why are excess levels of Glutamic Acid dangerous?

Answer 23

Excess in brain tissue can cause cell damage

Question 24

Arginine [x8]

Answer 24

1. Essential for normal immune system activity
2. Wound healing
3. Regeneration of damaged liver
4. Production and release of growth hormone
5. Increases release of insulin and glucagon.
6. Collagen synthesis
7. Precursor to GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter)
8. Spermatogenesis

Question 25

When should arginine supplementation be avoided?

Answer 25

If patients have EBV, CMV, HHV6, Herpes Simplex I or II. It speeds up the rate of viral growth.

Question 26

Cysteine-Cystine [x7]

Answer 26

1. Antioxidant 2. Protects against radiation, pollution, UV light and other causes of increased free radical production 3. Natural detoxifier 4. Growth, maintenance and repair of skin 5. Key ingredient for hair 6. Precursor to Taurine 7. Precursor to Chondroitin Sulfate (the main component of cartilage)

Question 27

Glutamine [x7]

Answer 27

1. Precursor to neurotransmitter GABA (anti-anxiety amino acid) 2. Strengthening the immune system 3. Essential for maintaining normal and steady blood sugar levels 4. Involved in muscle strength and indurance 5. Essential to GI function, provides energy to the SI. 6. Precursor to Glutamic Acid 7. Involved in DNA synthesis

Question 28

Glycine [x6]

Answer 28

1. Part of the structure of haemoglobin 2. Inhibitory neurotransmitter 3. Energy production 4. Inhibits sugar cravings 5. Glycogenic amino acid 6. Involved in glucagon production 7. Precursor to Serine

Question 29

Proline [x5]

Answer 29

1. Critical component of cartilage - health of joints, tendons and ligaments 2. Involved in keeping heart muscle strong 3. Precursor to Glutamate 4. Precursor to Ornithine 5. Works with Vitamin C in keeping skin and joints health.

Question 30

Serine [x4]

Answer 30

1. Critical in maintaining blood sugar levels 2. Boosts immune system 3. Involved in development of the myelin sheath 4. Growth and maintenance of muscle 5. Synthesized from glycine in the presence of folic acid and Vitamin B6

Question 31

Tyrosine [x4]

Answer 31

1. Precursor to Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine and melanin. 2. Effective anti-depressant 3. Precursor to thyroxine and growth hormone 4. Increases energy, improves mental clarity and concentration

Question 32

What does Tyrosine require to be converted into Norepinephrine?

Answer 32

Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P). | P5P deficiency will lower norepinephrine levels, even if Tyrosine levels are normal.

Question 33

Name two important minor amino acids?

Answer 33

GABA and Taurine

Question 34

GABA [x4]

Answer 34

1. Inhibitory neurotransmitter 2. GABA activity found in glands controlled by the SNS namely pancreas and thymus 3. Mega doses raise IQ 4. Mega doses may help treating seizure disorders

Question 35

Taurine [x11]

Answer 35

1. Stabilises cell membranes in the nervous system. 2. Inhibitory neurotransmitter 3. Anti-convulsant 4. Antioxidant 5. Reduces risk of gall stones by combining with bile acids to make them more water soluble. 6. Stabilisation of heart rhythm 7. Strengthens white blood cells in their ability to kill bacteria 8. Useful in brain injury 9. Decreases cholesterol levels 10. Conditionally essential for adults, essential for infants. 11. For adults, synthesised from cysteine and methionine provided B6 and some Zinc are present

Question 36

What are amino acid co-factors?

Answer 36

P5P is necessary for the utilisation of all amino acids, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If P5P is not present, increased excretion of most amino acids occurs as well as increased formation of abnormal amino acid metabolites. Magnesium must be present or the body cannot assimilate and use amino acids properly.

Question 37

Which amino acids are important in the support of phase 2 liver detoxification?

Answer 37

Glycine, Glutamine, Methionine, Cysteine, Taurine, Sulfur and Selenium