Amino Acid Therapy

What Are Amino Acids?

To fully appreciate the many health benefits of amino acids and amino acid supplements, it helps to have a basic understanding of the role these nutrients play in health and well-being. In a nutshell, amino acids are the essence of life. Using the genetic blueprint, DNA orchestrates the synthesis of amino acids, which link together to form proteins.

Proteins are the essential structural components of the body, making up about half of the dry weight of our cells, and the building blocks of enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other molecules that signal and regulate cellular activity. Every protein in the human body is made up of various sequences of just 20 genetically-encoded amino acids - other amino acids are modified from these 20. 

Obviously, we require a steady supply of amino acids, particularly the eight that cannot be synthesized by the body. That’s why dietary protein is so important - if the cells don’t have access to all the requisite amino acids, protein assimilation falters. 

GABA

Let’s start with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA acts as a neurotransmitter, relaying information from one nerve cell to another. It is an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter, meaning that in contrast to “excitatory” neurotransmitters, which facilitate the initiation of nerve impulses in neurons, it blocks them. In fact, GABA is your central nervous system’s most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter.

GABA is active throughout your brain, especially in the limbic system, which is sometimes referred to as your brain’s emotional center, because it is where pleasure, passion, love, hate, fear, and aggression originate. If there’s one area of your brain that needs to find a balance between excitement and inhibition, it’s the limbic system. Whether it’s the euphoria of new love and passion or the black cloud of fear and anxiety, intense emotions arise in the limbic system. 

Here’s where GABA supplements come in. When the limbic system is hyper-excited and anxiety, fear, anger, panic, or other negative emotions get the upper hand, GABA restores balance by occupying the receptor sites that calm things down. It simply tones down the emotional alarm bells. If you’ve ever “taken the edge off” by having a cocktail or popping a tranquilizer, you’ve already experienced what I’m talking about. Both alcohol and benzodiazepines (tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax) work their magic by attaching to these same receptor sites. 

However, benzodiazepines are highly addictive and have a huge abuse potential - and we all know the downside of too much alcohol. GABA supplements, on the other hand, are non-addictive, well tolerated, and have none of the drug side effects such as drowsiness, poor concentration and coordination, or a slowdown in reaction time. Available in capsule or powder form, GABA can be used for chronic or situational anxiety (some people take it before flying or public speaking engagements), as well as insomnia (it makes falling asleep easier). 

GABA supplements: To relieve anxiety, take 500–750 mg as needed, up to three times daily. For insomnia, take 750 mg an hour before bedtime. 

Glutamine

Another therapeutic amino acid supplement is glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in your body. Glutamine is especially supportive of the gastrointestinal system and is an excellent therapy for intestinal ailments. This is because it serves as the primary fuel for the enterocytes, the rapidly dividing cells that line the intestinal tract.

The lining of your gut is a highly selective barrier that allows only properly digested nutrients to pass through into the bloodstream while keeping everything else out. Unfortunately, bacterial overgrowth, chronic stress, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other medications may irritate and damage this lining, creating spaces between the cells that allow larger molecules such as bacteria, toxins, and incompletely digested nutrients to pass through. 

Known as intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome, this can set up a whole slew of problems, as well as further damage to the intestines, infections, allergies, and autoimmune diseases as the immune system reacts to these foreign molecules in the blood. In fact, research has shown that glutamine supplements dramatically reduce infections and death rates in hospitalized patients. According to a meta-analysis conducted by Brazilian researchers, “Glutamine administration improves the prognosis of critically ill patients, presumably by maintaining the physiologic intestinal barrier and by reducing the frequency of infections.” 

You don’t have to be critically ill to enjoy the benefits of glutamine. By restoring the integrity of the gut lining, glutamine supplements also help patients with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and food allergies. Glutamine supplements also protect against damage caused by long-term use of NSAIDs. 

Glutamine supplements: To support intestinal health or to help resolve the conditions mentioned above, take 2–3 grams, in divided doses, daily. 

Arginine

The third amino acid is L-arginine. Arginine has multiple functions in the body, from muscle maintenance to immune system enhancement to wound healing. Its claim to fame, however, is its effect on the cardiovascular system: Arginine is the precursor to nitric oxide. 

Nitric oxide, produced in the endothelial cells lining the arteries, is a signaling molecule that protects the arteries and fights cardiovascular disease on a surprisingly broad number of fronts. It relaxes the smooth muscle cells and causes the arteries to dilate, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure. Plus, it reduces inflammation, a primary cause of atherosclerosis. And if that’s not enough, it protects against free radical damage, while also blocking the adhesion of white blood cells to the arterial walls—an early step in plaque formation. All these benefits from one little molecule! The pharmaceutical companies have long recognized the importance of nitric oxide to vascular health and have come out with all manner of drugs that increase nitric oxide levels, including nitroglycerin for angina and Viagra for erectile dysfunction. But guess what does all this and more? Good old inexpensive, over-the-counter arginine supplements. 

Due to arginine’s close relationship with nitric oxide, it’s not surprising that arginine supplements have been shown in clinical studies to reduce angina, improve erectile function, and improve symptoms of patients with heart failure. Other benefits of arginine supplements include lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, enhancing immune function, and increasing levels of growth hormone.

Arginine supplements: For cardiovascular support or help with the other conditions mentioned above, the suggested dose is 2–6 grams, in divided doses, daily. Do not take arginine supplements if you are taking nitroglycerin or another nitrate drug.  

L-Taurine

Taurine is found throughout the body & like the other amino acids, is involved in a multitude of functions. It is found in higher concentrations in the heart muscle, olfactory bulb, CNS, & brain – specifically the hippocampus & pineal gland. In the brain, it is the 2nd most important inhibitory neurotransmitter – next to GABA.

The hippocampus is a horsehoe shaped paired structure that is the part of the brain involved in memory forming, organizing, & storing. Ever come across a smell or hear a noise that suddenly triggers a memory from your past?  You have just experienced the the work of the hippocampus.
The pine cone shaped gland connecting the endocrine system with the nervous system is the pineal gland. This structure is located between the cerebral hemispheres of the brain & is involved in several body functions. The pineal gland produces several hormones, primarily melatonin.

Melatonin helps control your sleep-wake cycles. Your body has an internal clock that controls when you are awake & when you are asleep. This internal clock controls your melatonin levels. Normally, melatonin levels start to rise in the mid to late evening & remain high most of the night, decreasing as morning grows near. However, light (natural & artificial) affects the body’s production of melatonin & so does age. As we age, the natural melatonin levels tend to drop. In fact, some adults make very little to no melatonin at all.

Taurine supports normal brain development. The concentration of Taurine is 4 times higher in the developing brain versus an adult brain. Like GABA (& Glycine), Taurine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. In the heart, it is the most concentrated amino acid, as it is involved in the heart’s muscular contractility & rhythms. It is necessary for the formation of one of the bile acids & supports the proper functioning of the gall bladder.

5-HTP

“Feel good?” Say thank you to Serotonin! Serotonin is is a hormone that is credited with maintaining that “happy feeling.” It helps transmit messages along the nerve pathways. Serotonin plays a role in mood, digestion, sleep & sexuality. This hormone produces a relaxed, calm, secure, mellow feeling.

Serotonin levels fluctuate throughout the day. Caffeine, nicotine  alcohol, & antidepressants can deplete your levels of serotonin, as well as lack of sunlight. However, exercise can increase both serotonin (& dopamine) levels in the blood!

L-Glycine

This amino acid has the simplest structure of all the amino acids & resembles glucose & glycogen. It is the 3rd major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain & readily passes through the blood-brain barrier. Glycine is used by the body to form DNA, collagen, phospholipids, & for the release of energy.

Glycine plays a role in the metabolism of protein, peptides, & bile salts. This amino acid supports heavy metal detoxification, as well as decreases the craving for sugar. In the brain, Glycine also helps to “slow down” stress related messages full of angst & anxiousness.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine promotes the production of alpha waves in the brain & influences GABA production. Plus, L-Theanine plays a role in the release of dopamine & serotonin.

Alpha brain waves are the dominant waves in your brain when your body & mind are relaxed. They are often considered to be the healthiest brain wave range. The brain is less vulnerable to stress side effects, if alpha brain waves are present.

We have already discussed the importance of GABA & serotonin. But what about dopamine? Dopamine is needed to produce epinephrine & norepinephrine, which are hormones that are involved in the “fight-or-flight” response.  This neurotransmitter, which is produced by the hypothalamus, also causes feelings of pleasure (ie: from food or sex) & is required to maintain healthy cognitive function – concentration, memory, & problem solving.

L-carnitine

L-carnitine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. L-carnitine supplements are used to increase L-carnitine levels in people whose natural level of L-carnitine is too low because they have a genetic disorder, are taking certain drugs (valproic acid for seizures), or because they are undergoing a medical procedure (hemodialysis for kidney disease) that uses up the body’s L-carnitine. It is also used as a replacement supplement in strict vegetarians, dieters, and low-weight or premature infants.
L-carnitine is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including heart-related chest pain, congestive heart failure (CHF), heart complications of a disease called diphtheria, heart attack, leg pain caused by circulation problems (intermittent claudication), and high cholesterol.

Some people use L-carnitine for muscle disorders associated with certain AIDS medications, difficulty fathering a child (male infertility), a brain development disorder called Rett syndrome, anorexia, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, overactive thyroid, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leg ulcers, Lyme disease, and to improve athletic performance and endurance.

The body can convert L-carnitine to other amino acids called acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine. But, no one knows whether the benefits of carnitines are interchangeable. Until more is known, don’t substitute one form of carnitine for another. L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes.

A bonus Vitamin: B6

What an amazing vitamin! Affecting both mental & physical health, Vitamin B6 is involved in more
bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient. This vitamin is involved in nerve function & also has a part in the synthesis of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, & the hormones, serotonin, norepinephrine, & melatonin.  It plays a role in the absorption of fats & proteins, activates several enzymes, supports a healthy immune system, a healthy circulatory system, & is used mainly by the body to process amino acids.

Because of Vitamin B6, amino acids can be synthesized, like Glutamine from Glutamate & Taurine from Cysteine.  This vitamin also helps break down amino acids so that they can be more readily absorbed by the body. Vitamin B6 is very important to the metabolism of amino acids within the intestines. It is important to note that as you increase your energy expenditure, such as exercise, you will need to increase your Vitamin B6.

Norepinephrine, “aka: noradrenaline,” is produced in the core portion of the adrenal glands – adrenal medula. It is classified both as a hormone & a neurotransmitter. Stress, either physical or psychological will trigger its release.  Norepinephrine will activate the body’s “fight-or-flight response” & increases attention & reaction time.

Source: www.drwhitaker.com , www.naturalcompounder.com