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Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Twenty amino acids are needed to build the various proteins used in the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Eleven of these amino acids can be made by the body itself (called nonessential amino acids), while the other nine (essential amino acids) must come from the diet. Amino acids are critical for energy expenditure and muscle recovery during and after exercise.
Amino Acids products you'll find at Henry's
Where are Amino Acids found?
Foods of animal origin, such as meat and poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products, are the richest dietary sources of the essential amino acids.
Plant sources of protein are often deficient in one or more essential amino acids. These deficiencies can be overcome by consuming a wide variety of plant foods. For example, grains are low in lysine, whereas beans provide an excess of lysine. One exception to this is soybeans, which are a complete protein, providng all of the essential amino acids. Soy-based items can replace animal proteins and are often considered to be just as powerful as meat sources.
Creatine
Creatine (creatine monohydrate) is a colorless, crystalline substance used in muscle tissue for the production of phosphocreatine, an important factor in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy for muscle contraction and many other functions in the body.
Read more about Creatine
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that helps to maintain overall good health by facilitating the transfer of fatty acid groups into the mitochondrial membrane for cellular energy production.* It naturally occurs in red meat and other animal source foods.
Read more about L-Carnitine
Arginine
Arginine is necessary for urea metabolism, a process that prepares toxic ammonia for safe excretion by the
kidneys.
Read more about Arginine for Weight Control
Glutamine
Glutamine has recently been the focus of much scientific interest. A growing body of evidence suggests that
during certain stressful times, the body may require more glutamine than it can produce. Under these
circumstances Glutamine may be considered a "conditionally essential" amino acid. Glutamine is involved
in maintaining a positive nitrogen balance (an anabolic state) and also aids rapidly growing cells (immune
system hymphocytes and intestinal cell enterocytes). In addition, Glutamine is a regulator of acid-base
balance and a nitrogen transporter.*
Glutamine is unique in that, like glucose, it is one of the preferred energy sources utilized by rapidly
proliferating cells. It is a major fuel source for the brain and together with its relatives the stimulant
neurotransmitter Glutamic acid and the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA they form the most abundant
amino group in the human brain. Glutamine is also an important fuel source for enterocytes and supports
intestinal maintenance and normal function. It has been used clinically to improve nitrogen balance and
minimize protein loss in those suffering with catabolic states caused by surgical stress and critical
gastrointestinal illness. In combination with N-Acetyl Cysteine Glutamine promotes the production of a
powerful cellular antioxidant called Glutathione that plays a critical role in the defense against free radical
damage.
Read more about Glutamine
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot manufacture it. It must be obtained
through the diet or by supplementation. Lysine is one of the most well known amino acids and is an
essential component of all proteins.
Taurine
Taurine is a free-form amino acid that participates in a variety of metabolic processes. Taurine is a
neurotransmitter, a neuromodulator and is involved in glucose uptake.* It is found in meats, fish, milk and
eggs, but not in vegetable proteins.
The information found on this page was provided by NOW Foods, maker of natural foods and nutritional supplements. Visit NOW Foods online at www.nowfoods.com
*This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure
or prevent any disease.
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