Methionine
Methionine plays a role in the breakdown of fats, the production of energy, and the synthesis of other vital nutrients. Methionine is also essential for the proper functioning of enzymes and hormones. The body can not produce methionine on its own, so you must receive it through diet or supplements. Foods rich in methionine include egg whites, fish, meat, and dairy products.
Methionine also plays a critical role in the body’s detoxification process. It helps to remove heavy metals and other toxins from the liver. Furthermore, it helps to protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol and other drugs. So for those that consume alcohol regularly, methionine supplementation is especially important.
Phenylalanine
The body needs phenylalanine for making protein and other essential compounds. You can find it in many foods, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and soybeans. The body can also make phenylalanine from another amino acid called tyrosine. Phenylalanine helps to produce neurotransmitters, hormones, and enzymes. Your body also needs it for proper brain development and function.
Then from the intestine your body absorbs phenylalanine into the bloodstream and then transported to the brain. Your brain then converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. Tyrosine then helps to make neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are important for mood, memory, and attention.
Threonine
As one of the essential amino acids, threonine is vital for the proper function of many proteins in the body. Its primary role is as a constituent of enzymes responsible for facilitating chemical reactions in the body. Threonine is also a key component of collagen, which helps support the skin structure and connective tissues. In addition, it plays a role in liver function and lipid metabolism.
When threonine levels are too low, it can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty digesting fats. Fortunately, you can easily obtain threonine through dietary sources such as meat, fish, dairy, and beans. If you think you might be deficient in threonine, speak to your doctor or a registered dietician about whether supplementation might be right for you.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan plays a vital role in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and sleep. Tryptophan is found in many foods but is particularly abundant in turkey and other poultry. When ingested, tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase. 5-HTP is then further converted into serotonin by the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase.
Serotonin can travel across the blood-brain barrier, where it binds to receptors and exerts its effects on mood and sleep. Although tryptophan supplements are sometimes touted as a way to boost serotonin levels, they are not very effective because unlike serotonin they cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, you must get tryptophan through dietary sources in order to impact serotonin levels in the brain.
Valine
The last essential amino acid is valine, which is classified as a “branched-chain amino acid” (BCAA) due to its structure. BCAA’s are necessary for human health, but valine is especially important for muscle metabolism and nervous system function. Your body breaks valine into glucose, which your body can use for energy by cells. Additionally, valine helps to prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue during periods of stress.
As a result, valine plays a vital role in maintaining muscle mass and preventing fatigue. For these reasons, valine is another amino acid many athletes and bodybuilders supplement. However, it is also important for people who are not active to get enough valine in their diet, as it is essential for human health. You can find valine in a variety of foods, including meat, dairy, nuts, and beans.
Protein Works In So Many Different Ways!
Most people understand the basics of protein: it’s essential for building muscle, it provides energy, and you get it in foods like meat, fish, and eggs. However, there is much more to protein than that. When broken down into the different amino acids that make it up, protein can perform a variety of functions in the body.
Amino acids are essential nutrients that the body needs for many different functions. Although you can obtain most of them through dietary sources, some you may need to supplement in order to avoid deficiency. If you think you might be deficient in an amino acid, speak to your doctor or a registered dietician about whether supplementation is right for you.
