Why are Amino Acids so Important to Our Bodies?
Series of Articles: Proteins – Building Blocks of Life
When it comes to proteins, most people immediately think of bodybuilding and muscle mass. What is misunderstood: Proteins are not only important for building muscle. None of us could live without them. Because: Proteins, made up of amino acids, are the primary building blocks of our cells and are therefore involved in almost every vital process in the body. That is why they are also called the building blocks of life. Power athletes have long recognized and used this fact. It is not for nothing that the term protein is derived from the Greek word “proteios”, which means “first of all”.
Proteins – the Dramaturges of the Macronutrients
Along with carbohydrates and fats, proteins are macronutrients. Macronutrients are the basic building blocks of any food and provide our bodies with energy. Proteins make up about 15 to 17 percent of an adult’s body mass.
Proteins are the basic building blocks of all human cells. They are the building blocks of our muscles, organs and blood, as well as hormones and enzymes. A particularly important function of proteins is to build new cells and repair existing ones. They also play a crucial role, controlled by our genetic code, in many vital processes, much like small working robots. In addition, proteins are the basic building blocks of our immune defense cells. Proteins are even needed as reserve substances for energy supply in times of hunger. Whether in healing processes, muscle building or the renewal of our body cells – nothing works without protein.
Amino Acids – The Basic Building Blocks of Proteins
The smallest building blocks of proteins are the 21 so-called proteinogenic amino acids, which are controlled by our genetic code and linked to form chains. The amino acids consist mainly of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and rarely sulfur.
Almost all the vital substances our body needs are converted from these amino acids into peptides or proteins. Peptides are relatively short chains of up to about 100 amino acids. Amino acids are thus the actual building blocks of life, which are transported through the blood to those parts of the body – e.g. skin, muscles, liver cells or enzymes – where they are then converted and incorporated into the body’s own protein.
The Eight Essential Amino Acids
Of these proteinogenic amino acids, eight are indispensable and thus essential for adult humans: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Since the body cannot produce these eight essential amino acids itself, it is vital that we obtain them from our food. This is because they are the basic prerequisite for our body to be able to form the remaining amino acids. Under certain circumstances, e.g. in the growth phase or during convalescence, we may need to take in more amino acids through our food.
The Specific Amino Acid Profile of Humans – The Human Amino Acid Profile
Recently, researchers have discovered that every living being has its own very specific amino acid profile, the so-called “master profile” – including humans. This amino acid profile is a prerequisite for maximum protein biosynthesis. Protein biosynthesis is one of the most central processes in the human body. Simply put, it involves the creation of new proteins in our cells. The synthesis of these new proteins takes place according to a plan laid out in our genetic information, the DNA.
Only when all eight essential amino acids are present at the same time and in exactly the right ratio to each other, can our organism optimally build the body’s own protein. The more the proportion and ratio of the eight essential amino acids deviates from the optimal amino acid profile, the lower the protein nutritional value, or the so-called Net Amino Acid Utilization (NAV) of a protein food source. And the higher the percentage of metabolic waste.
There is a peculiarity to protein metabolism compared to carbohydrate and fat metabolism, in which only water and carbon dioxide are produced as excretion products: When amino acids are broken down, the individual components produce nitrogen waste in the form of ammonia, which is toxic to our cells. This nitrogenous waste must be cultivated in the liver and converted into urea through a process called urea biosynthesis.
“There must be two if life is to be successful:
Proteins and Nucleic Acids.”
Arthur Kornburg on the occasion of his Nobel Prize award in 1959
How Much Protein Does Our Body Need on a Daily Basis?
Our modern diet, environmental pollution and a lifestyle characterized by constant stress and overstimulation, do not always ensure that we take in and/or utilize all the vital amino acids, i.e. the eight essential amino acids, in sufficient quantities and in the right proportions.
In our therapeutic work, we repeatedly find that most people do not consume enough protein. Since our bodies need sufficient protein to function properly, a protein deficiency can affect our physical and mental well-being in many ways. A protein deficiency not only affects our tissues (bones, cartilage, muscles, nails, etc.), but also our immune, digestive, and endocrine systems. We lose valuable muscle mass and have trouble feeling full. Fatigue, exhaustion, susceptibility to infections, digestive disorders, weight problems, poor wound healing and poor regeneration are just some of the possible consequences.
An adequate supply of high-quality proteins is therefore an important prerequisite for our health.
In addition, there are life situations that lead to an increased need for protein: the elderly, athletes, pregnant women, growing children, vegetarians and vegans, as well as acutely or chronically ill people. An unbalanced diet can also lead to protein metabolism disorders.
Animal vs. Plant Protein
Our bodies do not store protein, so our cells depend on a regular supply of protein. What many people do not know: Not only is the quantity of protein important, but also the quality.
The more the amino acid profile of a dietary protein resembles the body’s own amino acid profile in its composition, the more “valuable” the protein is and the easier it can be converted into the body’s own protein. This nutritional quality of a protein is also called “biological value”. And the higher the quality of a protein, the less you need to eat.
For comparison, an egg has a net bioavailability of 48 percent, while fish, meat and poultry have a net bioavailability of 28 to 36 percent. The lowest net bioavailability, and therefore the most toxic nitrogen waste, is found in plant proteins. Plant protein sources have a very low net yield with comparatively high waste. Therefore, the additional intake of a high-quality protein product is absolutely necessary in a purely vegan diet. However, we also recommend that vegetarians and meat-eaters supplement their diets with high-quality proteins.
MyAMINO® by dr. reinwald vital – the Protein Revolution
With MyAMINO® we have developed a worldwide unique protein product with which you can supply your body with a high proportion of high-purity amino acids with almost no loss of nitrogen (< 1%).
The special thing about MyAMINO®: The eight essential amino acids are in a very specific ratio to each other. And this ratio enables the highest protein nutritional value worldwide with a net building value of almost 99%. This means that almost all amino acids can be used for the protein synthesis and thus for the cell formation (anabolic) of the body. The nitrogen provided in MyAMINO® is used as a precursor for protein biosynthesis and is not broken down. The substitution of dietary protein by MyAMINO® therefore relieves the kidneys and liver.
Furthermore, MyAMINO® does not produce any digestion end products in the intestine, which contributes to a relief of the digestive system and thus to a relief of the cardiovascular system.
In addition, MyAMINO® has almost no calories and provides your body with the same amount of actually usable amino acids as about 350g of meat, fish or poultry. Because: Proteins generally make you feel fuller than carbohydrates.
This is the big advantage of MyAMINO®: Your body is relieved and at the same time sufficiently supplied with high-quality amino acids.
Do you have any questions or would you like to know more? Our friendly team – consisting of therapists and alternative practitioners – will be happy to advise you on the subject of proteins, amino acids and MyAMINO®. Call us now or use our chat.
