Amino Acids

Amino acids are small compounds that are the basic building blocks that make up Protein.

Amino acids contain four different compounds. These four compounds amino acids contain are

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. There are 20 naturally occurring amino acids. A

peptide bond is a bond that connects one amino acid with the next amino acid. There are 3

different peptide bonds that can occur. A Dipeptide is two amino acids long. A Tripeptide is

three amino acids long. Lastly a polypeptide is many amino acids long. Of the 20 naturally

occurring amino acids, 9 are essential and 11 are non essential. What makes the 11 amino acids

nonessential is that the body can naturally produce these and do not need to be supplied by

our diets or supplementation. The eleven non essential amino acids are Alanine, Arginine,

Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Tyrosine, Proline,

Serine. What makes the other 9 amino acids essential is that they are not naturally produced by

the body and need to be supplied by your everyday diet or by supplementation. The 9 essential

amino acids are Isoleucine, Histidine, Leucine, Methionine, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan,

Threonine, and Valine.

Amino acids have many different functions in the body some of these include: building

protein, synthesizing Neurotransmitters, Protecting Cardiovascular Health, Metabolism and

many more roles. Of the 11 non essential amino acids, Alanine is used in the biosynthesis of

proteins. Arginine is also used in the biosynthesis of proteins as well as a precursor for the

synthesis of nitric oxide. Asparagine is also used as a biosynthesis of proteins. Aspartic acid also

is used for the biosynthesis of protein but also contains a carboxylic acid. Cysteine is produced

naturally in the body as well but can be found in foods. Cysteine is apart if glutathione and is
also used to produce amino acids taurine as well as coenzyme A, biotin and heparin. Cysteine is

a component of the beta-keratin which means it is used for skin elasticity, and protection lining

of the digestive system. Glutamic acid is found in many proteins and is an inhibitory

neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Glutamine is another nonessential amino acid

but in some instances of stress, the body needs more glutamine and needs to be obtained from

the person’s diet or supplementation. Glutamine is also responsible for biosynthesis of

proteins. Glycine is used to make proteins but has other functions. Glycine is involved in the

transmission of chemical signals to the brain. Also some researchers think that it could have a

role in cancer prevention by interfering with blood supply to certain tumors. Tyrosine is

synthesized in your body from another amino acid called phenylalanine. Tyrosine plays an

important role in proteins and enzymes in the body but has many other functions. Tyrosine

plays roles in brain function, hormone production, and melanin production. Proline plays a big

part in our body as it is needed for the production of collagen and cartilage. Proline keeps the

muscles and joints flexible and reduces wrinkling of the skin. Proline helps our bodies

breakdown proteins and then creates healthy cells in our body. Serine is found in the

membranes lining of every cell in the body. Serine is involved in the metabolic processes that

burn glucose and fatty acids for energy. Of the 9 essential amino acids Isoleucine is used for a

couple different functions in the body. One of the major functions is proteinogenesis which is a

basic building block for the proteins in your body to make. Another use of isoleucine is the

production of energy in the body. Histidine is used in catalytic functions of chymotrypsin, as

well as metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids. Leucine is one of the three

amino acids that help in the recovery of muscles as well as helping the body increase muscle
mass. Leucine also helps regulate blood sugar and helps supply the body with sources of

energy. Methionine plays a large role in the metabolism of the body. Methionine also plays

roles in antioxidant activity, lipid metabolism, immune system, urinary tract infections, and

detoxification. Lysine is responsible for many different functions for overall health. Lysine plays

roles in conversion of lipids to energy, synthesis of collagen and connective tissues, and is

involved with regulation of calcium levels. Phenylalanine comes in three different forms. The

three forms are D-phenylalanine, L-phenylalanine, and DL-phenylalanine. The exact role of

Phenylalanine is kind of a mystery but is believed to be used by the body in chemical messages.

Tryptophan is converted in our body to 5-HTP, which is then converted into serotonin.

Tryptophan can enhance relaxation, sleep, and soothe nerves and anxiety in the body.

Threonine is changed in our bodies to glycine, then glycine works in the brain to reduce muscle

contractions. Valine works with isoleucine and leucine to help with growth, regulating blood

sugar, repairing muscular tissue, and providing the body with energy.

The most common amino acids that are supplemented into a person’s diet or used from

supplements are BCAA’s. BCAA’s are three of the 20 amino acids. These three amino acids are:

Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. Amino Acid supplements are believed to help a person improve

muscle growth, increase endurance, burn more fat, increase mental focus, help with muscle

sparing, improve recovery time, reduce muscle soreness, and improve sports performance.

However, the reason why people take amino acid supplements the most is for muscle growth

and muscle recovery.

In a case study, they were testing the effects of an amino acid dietary supplement that

contained BCAA’s on exercising athletes. Through this case study, they were testing to see if the
amino acid supplement had effect on muscle function, fatigue, and recovery. Before the test

was administered a blood component analysis was taken to see the levels of oxygen carrying

capacities of the blood in their bodies. The test was administered for different periods of times

as well as different doses. The different periods of times were 10,30, and 90 days and were

given doses of 2.2, 4.4,6.6 and 7.2 grams per day. Outcome variables were muscle strength,

fatigue, damage, and blood indices of muscles damage and oxygen carrying capacity. The amino

acid supplement was administered to elite rugby players for all of the different days and

different doses. At the end of the study, the rugby players who were administered the highest

dose and for the longest period of time noticed a quicker recovery from muscle fatigue after

workouts. Also after the study, a blood component analysis was taken and showed

improvements in oxygen carrying capacity of the blood in their bodies.

In a second study, they were testing the effects of resistance training and amino

supplementation on muscle anabolism, mass, and strength. For the experiment, they took

nineteen untrained males that were randomly assigned to supplement groups containing amino

acids or a dextrose placebo. The supplements were ingested one hour before exercise and one

hour after exercise. The participants exercised four times a week using 3 sets of 6-8 repetitions

at %85-90% of the one repetition maximum. After ten weeks of this regimen, the final

conclusion was that supplementation of amino acids one hour before and one-hour after

exercise was more effective then the dextrose placebo. The results were the amino acid group

had greater increase in total body mass, fat free mass, thigh mass, muscular strength, and

myofibrillar protein.