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AMINO ACIDS AND THEIR EFFECTS
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Version 1.1
Compiled by: Bj Krawchuk
(krawchuk@cpsc.ucalgary.ca)
Several sources have been used and may be requested from above.
(*@/// Phenylalanine *)
(*@/// L-phenylalanine *)
L-phenylalanine
-
converted into tyrosine which is
precursor to noradrenaline (NE) and dopamine
- like all
amino acids best taken on empty stomach since it competes
with proteins to cross the blood
brain barrier.
- requires vitamins C and B-6 for the conversion to NE.
- Dosage: 500 -
1000mg along with 1g C, 30-50mg B-6
- phenylalanine also stimulates the release of
cholecystokinin, which is the body’s own appetite-suppressant,
- can increase sexual
interest
- improves memory and mental alertness
- antidepressant
- do not use
L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine if you are
using MAO inhibitors for depression (it can cause
a
major elevation in blood pressure).
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// DL-phenylalanine *)
DL-phenylalanine
- combination of synthetic (D) and natural (L) phenylalanine
- produces
endorphins and stimulates their use
- thus, effective painkiller, often better than the
opiate derivatives such as morphine.
- nonaddictive, nontoxic
- reverse-tolerance effect
(pain relief gets better)
- strong anti-depressant effect
- can be combined with other
pain-killers
with few bad interactions
(*@\\\*)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tyrosine
*)
L-tyrosine
- precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine
- non-essential amino
acid (since PA is converted into it first)
- has been studied as an effective aid to cocaine
withdrawal
- (see L-phenylalanine)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tryptophan *)
L-tryptophan
- precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin along with
B6, niacin, and
magnesium.
- (actually immediate precursor to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP)
which is the
precursor to serotonin (5HT))
- prolongs slow-wave sleep
- reduces pain sensitivity
- has some hypnotic effects
- useful for some types of
endogenous depression
(has been found as useful as imipramine and amitriptyline)
- aids
in reducing anxiety and tension
- an appetite supressant
- dosages have been studied up
to 15g
- Major Food Sources:
Cottage cheese, milk, meat, fish, turkey, bananas,
dried dates, peanuts, all protein-rich foods.
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Lysine *)
L-lysine
- needed for growth and enzyme, hormone, antibody production
- aids
concentration
- treatment for some sterility problems
- treatment and prevention for
herpes infections
- aids fatty acid -> energy conversion
(*@\\\*)
(*@///
Arginine *)
L-arginine
- used to increase sperm counts
(semen contains up to 80%
of arginine)
- aids immune response and healing of wounds
- helps stored fat
metabolism
- helps to tone muscle tissue
- used for weight-loss in combination with
L-ornithine
- one amino acid required for production of growth hormone
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Ornithine *)
L-ornithine
- similar to arginine
- growth hormone (which acts
as a fat metabolizer) is
stimulated to be released by ornithine and arginine.
- can be
used as a slimming technique (while you sleep -
GH is released by the pituitary gland then)
(*@/// Glutamine *)
L-glutamine
- converted to glutamic acid,
the brain’s emergency source of
energy when glucose is in short supply.
- precursor to
the neurotransmitter GABA
- neutralizes excess ammonia (which can inhibit proper
brain
function)
- improves intelligence
- helps to control alcoholism
- helps to speed
ulcer healing
- alleviates fatigue, depression, impotence,
schizophrenia, senility
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Aspartic Acid *)
L-aspartic acid
- ammonia neutralizer
- a
study showed improved stamina and endurance in atheletes
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Cysteine *)
L-cysteine
- cystine is its stable form
- antioxidant
- contains
sulfur
- protects cellular membranes from "free radical damage"
- prevents
alcohol and cigarette smoke damage to the brain
- stimulant to immune system
- believed
to be good for antiaging
- effective against copper toxicity (eg. Wilson’s disease)
-
protects against X-ray and nuclear radiation
- warning: may affect insulin effectiveness
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Methionine *)
L-methionine
- antioxidant
- contains
sulfur
- prevents damage of brain cells from toxic heavy metals
- important in producing
neurotransmitters and energy
- lowers blood level of histamine
(this may help some types
of schizophrenia)
- combined with choline and folic acid, can prevent some
types of
tumors
- deficiencies: hair loss, atherosclerosis, cholestorol deposits,
edema, poor
urine processing
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glycine *)
L-glycine
- treatment for poor
pituitary functioning
- supplies creatine which is essential for muscle function
(effective against muscular dystrophy)
- treatment for hypoglycemia
- stimulates
glucagon which metabolizes glycogen into glucose
- antacid
- treatment for low blood
pH
- treatment for leucine imbalance-causing body odor and halitosis
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Leucine *)
L-taurine
- nonessential amino acid
- aids efficient conduction
of electrical impulses
along nerve pathways
- anticonvulsant (esp in combo with
glutamic, aspartic acids)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glutathione *)
L-Glutathione
-
tripeptide amino acid made of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine
- "triple threat"
antiaging
- antioxidant
- anti-tumor agent
- respiratory accelerator in the
brain
- used in the treatment of: allergies, cataracts, diabetes,
hypoglycemia,
arthritis
- prevents some side effects of chemotherapy and X-ray radiation
- protects
against some harmful side-effects of cigarrette smoke
and alcohol
(*@\\\*)
(*@///
Carnatine *)
L-carnatine
- newly discovered amino acid
- aids stored fat ->
energy conversion
- helps: hypoglycemia, reduces angina attacks, diabetes,
liver
disease, kidney disease
- deficiency causes heart tissue damage
(*@\\\*)
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