Essential Amino Acids

In the process of its life, the human body, even being in a state of rest, continuously works: there is a cellular exchange, the heart contracts, the lungs work, etc. For such a constant work, our body needs energy, which can be obtained as a result of a healthy and balanced diet. All food products are composed of a variety of combinations of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, water and minerals. About mineral substances and vitamins already written enough. Let's talk about something else.

As is known, proteins, fats and carbohydrates are the role of energy suppliers, in addition, proteins and fats are the necessary building material for the continuous processes of cell renewal. Cells of the nervous system and skeletal muscles use primarily glucose as a source of their activity - a constituent part of carbohydrates. To ensure the normal operation of the heart muscle, fatty acids are used - a constituent part of fats. But to build our own tissues our body uses hormones, enzymes, immune proteins, synthesized from amino acids, which are obtained as a result of the cleavage of proteins in the stomach and intestines under the influence of various enzymes. Simply put, amino acids - these are the bricks from which the protein molecules are built.

Distinguish between amino acids and irreplaceable. Valine, leucine, threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, methionine, lysine, tryptophan are irreplaceable, aspartic acid, asparagine, alanine, glycine, serine, glutamine, glutamic acid, proline, tyrosine, cysteine are to replace. Also there are partially replaceable amino acids - histidine and arginine.

Essential amino acids are necessary for a person for normal life, but, unlike the substitutable, they are not synthesized in the body and must be supplied with food. If the human body lacks essential amino acids, the growth and development of the body is delayed. The age, sex and profession of a person determine the optimal content in the dietary protein of essential amino acids. Any amino acids, both interchangeable and irreplaceable, have a nitrogen component, which is the same for all, and a unique carbon skeleton. The human body for normal life requires a full set of twenty basic amino acids. The organism can synthesize the replaceable amino acids in its own cells, and the essential amino acids must be supplied in ready-made form from food products.

Essential amino acids in food

The content of the most important amino acids, such as tryptophan, methionine and lysine, is closest to the ideal in meat, fish, chicken eggs, fresh milk, wheat grain and soy. In addition, essential amino acids are found in the following products:

Valine is found in meat, mushrooms, peanuts, dairy products, in cereals and soybeans;

Isoleucine - in almonds and cashew nuts, chicken meat and fish, eggs, liver, rye, soy, lentils and in most seeds;

Leucine - in nuts, brown rice, meat and fish, lentils and in most seeds;

Lysine - in milk, fish, nuts, meat and wheat;

Methionine - in legumes, eggs, milk, fish, meat;

Threonine - in dairy products and eggs;

Tryptophan - in meat, peanuts, bananas, sesame, dates, oats;

Phenylalanine - in fish, beef, chicken, soy, eggs, cottage cheese and milk.

What role in the life of our body perform these or other essential amino acids? Isoleucine increases the overall endurance of the body, it helps to break down cholesterol and regulate blood sugar, in addition, isoleucine is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and metabolism in myocytes. Valine is necessary to maintain the nitrogen metabolism at the proper level, it stimulates mental abilities. Leucine promotes the regeneration of bone and muscle tissue, is an indispensable source of energy, reduces the level of sugar in diabetes. Lysine is necessary for our body to develop bone tissue and maintain normal sexual function in women, shows antiviral action, supports the exchange of nitrogen and stimulates mental activity. Methionine, improving digestion, promotes digestion of fat, splits cholesterol, is an antioxidant and prevents hair loss. Threonine promotes tissue growth and assimilation of dietary protein, activates the immune system, conducts detoxification in the body. Tryptophan promotes a good sleep, regulates the functions of the central nervous and immune systems, improves digestion, accelerates the growth of hair. Phenylalanine is an antidepressant, stimulates the central nervous system, improves memory and attention, increases efficiency and reduces appetite.

Each of these amino acids must enter the body in sufficient quantities, otherwise a complete protein synthesis is impossible. Therefore, nutrition should be adequate to the needs of the body.