Amino acid - --

 

                                            ---------- Amino Acid ----------

What is Amino acid-

           Amino acid is a simple organic compound containing  both acid Carboxyl  groups (-C00H) and an Amino ( - NH 2 ) group . Amino acid are present in the ingredients of Proteins . Both Peptides and Proteins are the long chain of Amino acids . The term Amino acid is short for alpha-amino carboxylic acid . Amino acids play a central role in cellular metabolism .

            In other way’s Amino acid are molecule that combine to form Proteins , hence they are referred to as the building component of Proteins . These molecules are involved in several biological and chemical function in a human body and are the necessary ingredients for the growth and development of human beings .

      Each Proteins has its own sequence of Amino acids . When Proteins are digested or broken down , Amino acid are left . The human body uses Amino acid to make proteins to help the body . It also may be used as a source of energy by the body . Generally  20  Amino acid found for human uses. Amino acid and Protein are the building blocks of life .  Unlike Fat and Starch , the human body does not store excess Amino acids for later use . The Amino acids must be in the food every day diet .

Structure of Amino acid  -  An Amino acid is an organic chemical , which contain carbon hydrogen bonds . All Amino acid has same basic structure  . Each molecule has a central Carbon atom ( called alpha-Carbon ) linked together with a basic Amino group , a Carboxylic acid group,  a Hydrogen atom and R- group , or Side-chain group . The elements present in every Amino acid are Carbon , Hydrogen , Oxygen , and Nitrogen . Each Amino acid is structured from an Amino group and a Carboxyl group bond to a Tetrahedral carbon . Most of the Amino acids are soluble in water and are insoluble in organic solvents .

          The amino acid are joined by peptide bonds making polypeptide chain . This polypeptide chain                goes through post translational modification and is sometimes joined with other polypeptide                   chain to form a fully functional protein . 

Works of Amino acid – Our body uses Amino acids to makes Proteins  . Amino acids are involved in many important roles in our body . Amino acids may help to -

·       Break down food , food digestion

·       Grow and repair body tissue , formation and function of Enzymes

·       Makes hormone and brain chemicals / Neurotransmitters

·       Provide an energy sources and transportation of molecules

·       Maintain healthy skin , hair and nails

·        Build muscles and cause chemical reaction in the body

·        Boost our immune system and decreased slowed growth of children , 

·       Sustain a normal digestive system , decreased depression ,

·       Transport nutrients  , prevent illness , and many others health issued

Type of Amino acid –  Amino acid are  the classified into three group ; 1- Essential Amino acid 2- Non essential  Amino acid  3- Conditional Amino acid 

Type of    Amino-acid
Essential Amino acid	Non-Essential Amino acid	Conditional Amino acid
1.     Histidine	1-     Alanine	These are generally not essential Amino acid , except in times of illness and stress . Conditional Amino acid include Arginine , Cysteine , Glutamine , Tyrosine , Glycine, Proline , Serine
2 -  Isoleucine	2 -  Arginine
3 -Leucine	3 - Asparagine
4- Lysine	4- Aspartic acid
5 - Methionine	5 - Cysteine
6- Phenylalanine	6- Glutamic acid
7- Threonine	7- Glutamine
8- Tryptophan	8- Glycine
9       -Valine	9 -Proline
	10 -Serine
	11-  Tyrosine

1.     Essential Amino acid – Essential Amino acid can not be made by the body , which come must from food . A  complete Protein , by definition , contain all the essential Amino acids . Complete Protein usually derived from animal based sources of nutrition, except for Soy. The essential Amino acid are also available from incomplete Proteins , which are usually plant based foods .

Type of Essential Amino acid -

 There are Nine  Amino acid are essential amino acid , which are ; Histidine , Isoleucine ,  Leucine , Lysine , Methionine , Phenylalanine , Threonine , Tryptophan  and Valine  Amino acid .

Sources of Essential Amino acid – Foods rich in Amino acid or Protein-rich foods in our daily diet include plant-based products such as Broccoli , Beans , Beetroot , Pumpkin , Cabbage ,    Nuts , Dry fruits , Oats , Peas , Carrot , Cucumber , Green leafy vegetable , Onion , Soybeans , Whole grain , Peanut legume , Lentils and others . Fruits rich in Amino acids are Apple ,  Bananas , Berries , Figs , Grapes , Melon , Orange , Papaya , Pineapple , Pomegranates and others . Other animal product include dairy product , Eggs , Seafood , Chicken , Meat , Pork and others  .

2.     Non essential Amino acid means that our bodies can produce the Amino acid or Non essential Amino acid is naturally produced in the our body  . Non essential , also known as dispensable Amino acids  . The human body can synthesize these Amino acids using only the Essential Amino acids . This Amino acid supports tissue growth and repair , immune function , red blood cell formation and hormone synthesis .

        Type of Non Essential Amino acid  -

There are 11 Amino acid are Non essential Amino acid ; such as , Alanine , Arginine , Asparagine , Aspartic acid , Cysteine , Glutamic acid , Glutamine , Glycine , Proline , Serine ,and tyrosine .

3.     Conditional Amino acid – These are generally not essential Amino acid , except in times of illness and stress . Conditional Amino acid include Arginine , Cysteine , Glutamine , Tyrosine , Glycine , Proline , Serine .

          Function of Essential Amino acid-

Function of Essential  Amino-acid
Name	Function
1-Histidine	Promote  Blood cell growth , formation , Tissue repair . It involved in many enzymatic process ,making Proteins  in the body and synthesizing of both RBC and WBC .It is used by the body to make specific Hormone and metabolites that impact Kidney function , transmission of nerves and others .
2-Isoleucine	Role in formation of Hemoglobin , Wound healing , Growth , Protein metabolism , fatty acid metabolism , Immunity , Hormone production , Stimulating the Pancreas to synthesize Insulin and  Help in transporting oxygen from lungs to various part .
3-Leucine	Helps to regulate Blood sugar levels , Muscles and bone growth with repair , Help to wound healing , Help to growth hormone production and promoting Protein synthesis . It has a role in the detoxification of Nitrogenous waste like Ammonia , which is then excreted from the body by the Kidneys .
4-Lysine	Necessary for promoting formation of Anti-bodies , Hormone , Proteins , Enzyme and in the development with fixation of Calcium in bones for bone health, Role in building muscle , supporting recovery after injuries , surgery . It is important for proper growth of our body .
5-Methionine	It support proper absorption of micronutrients trace Minerals , help in removal of heavy Metal , important role in Skin , Nail and Hair health ,help in treatment of Kidney stone , used in controlling pathogenic bacteria .It is an Anti-oxidant . It may help protect the body from damaged caused by ionizing radiation .
6-Phenylalanine	Helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system , boosting memory power , the body converts Phenylalanine to Tyrosine for brain function . It involved in the production of Neurotransmitters , which are essential for proper functioning of brain and nervous system .
7-Threonine	It help in promoting the function of Immune system . It is a part of tooth Enamel ,Collagen , and Elastin ,so this one is necessary for healthy skin and teeth . It support fat metabolism and can be beneficial for digestion , anxiety and mild depression .
8 -Tryptophan	It require for proper growth of infant and is a precursor of Serotonin and Melatonin , It involved in production of Vitamin B3 with Serotonin hormone .It also helps the body make Proteins .
9 -Valine	It acts as important component in promoting muscle growth, tissue repair and energy . It is important role for the mental concentration , muscle coordination , and emotional calm .It aid in muscle tissue recovery and repair .

 

Function of Non - Essential Amino acid-

Function of Non- Essential  Amino-acid
Name	Function
1-Alanine	Help in removing toxin from our body and within the production of glucose and other Amino acid . It used to make Protein and  break down Tryptophan and Vitamin B6 . It is source of energy for muscles and central nervous system .
2- Arginine	Help in promoting synthesis of Proteins , growth Hormone , Glucagon , Insulin , Detoxification in kidney , Wound healing , maintaining a healthy immune system .
3-Asparagine	It involved in the transportation of nitrogen in to our body , formation of purines and pyrimidine for the synthesis of others Amino acids and Proteins  .It help to break down toxic ammonia within cells , is important for protein modification and is needed for making a certain molecule that transmits signals in the brain .
4-     Aspartic acid	It help in metabolism and promoting the synthesis of others Amino acids . It helps every cell in the body work . It play a role in hormone production and release . It also help to nervous system function .
5-     Cysteine	It acts as anti-oxidant  and provide resistance to our body , help in making collagen , inhibits the exhibition of hairs , nails .It may help healing after surgery or burns and protect the skin from radiation injury
6-     Glutamic acid	It acts as a neurotransmitter and mainly involved in development and functioning of human brain . It used to form Proteins . In the body it turn into Glutamate , which helps to nerve cells in the  brain send and receive information from other cells .
7-     Glutamine	It promote a healthy brain function and it is important for the synthesis of nucleic acids and biosynthesis of Proteins . It is an amino acid that effect the process of growth and function of cells in the stomach and intestine .It support brain health , support metabolic and heart health .
8-     Glycine	It helps in maintaining the proper cell growth  and its function , It play vital role in healing wound, It also acts as neurotransmitter .It may help to body’s synthesis of the anti-oxidant Glutathione .
9-     Proline ,	It may involved in the repairing of tissues in the formation of collagen , preventing thickness and hardening of walls of arteries and in the regeneration of new skin . It play a role in Proteins synthesis and structure , metabolism  and nutrition .
10-  Serine	It may helps in promoting muscles growth and in the synthesis of immune system proteins . It may use to make, a Proteins , Enzymes , and muscles tissues . It also needed for proper metabolism of fat and fatty acid . It also help in production of anti-bodies .
11-  Tyrosine	It is in all tissues of human body and in most of its fluids . It may play vital role , in production of Thyroid hormone T3 and T4 ,body build Proteins in our body , produce enzyme and skin pigment melanin .

 

Deficiency of Amino acids –

1-     Amino acid are the building blocks of Proteins and Proteins play a important role in the almost all life processes . So that , it is necessary to must include all nine essential Amino acid in our daily diet for maintain a healthy body .

2-     Deficiency of Amino acid may include many pathological disorder ; such as Anemia , Insomnia , Diarrhoea , Depression , Hypo-glycemia , Loss of appetite , Skin and Hair related problem , Weakness , Headache and others .

3-     Deficiency of Amino acid may decreased , immunity , digestive problems , Slow growth in children , and many other health issues .

Disclaimer –

           This content about Amino acid  is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice.