Amino Acids

Amino Acids

Introduction

Amino acids are pieces of protein -- every time you eat any type of protein, you are getting amino acids. Different kinds of protein are richer in some amino acids than other types of proteins, which is why high quality protein usually makes you feel better when you eat it. Whey protein is particularly rich in a broad spectrum of amino acids, while soy protein is low-quality and laced with estrogens. Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and eggs are all other good sources of protein with amino acids in it.

However, when you eat any protein with mixed amino acids, all the amino acids cross your blood-brain barrier and compete for receptors in your brain. That's where isolated amino acids come into play. By taking an amino acid on an empty stomach, you are allowing the receptors in your brain to be filled by a particular amino acid. The impact can be wonderful for your health, longevity, and well-being. I discuss the main amino acids I take and why, although there are other types available for other conditions.

Here is a link to the portion of the Life Extension web site with good information about other amino acids and good prices.

Amino Acids
What	Why	When	Where	Side effects
Glutamine	Mental function (clears up fog), alertness, muscle building, healing wounds, immune function, gastrointestinal function. Will make you feel good if you are having a "sugar crash" or if you go on an extreme low-carbo diet or give up caffeine. Not a stimulant.	1-2 grams upon waking and as needed for energy, before and after workouts, during extended workouts (saved my wife while she ran a marathon!)	link	None known.
Tyrosine	Thyroid function, alertness	1 gram upon waking	link	May make you feel hot if your thyroid is low, but will help to fix the problem. Don't take without talking to a doctor if you have high thyroid.
Arginine and/or Ornithine	Radically faster wound healing (1/2 to 2/3 the normal time, if adequate dosage consumed), increases vasodilation so blood flows better, with resulting sexual effects for men and women. Immune system stimulant. Often combined with Ornithine to be more effective.	4 grams or more on empty stomach before bed or upon waking or both	link	May cause outbreak if you have herpes. Outbreaks will not happen if you take BHT from Life Link. It is a cheap, safe miracle cure for mouth or genital herpes.
BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids)	Muscle growth, healing, and immune function, especially in athletes	4 grams or more after workouts	link	None known.
GABA	Sleep or stress	1 gram before bed	link	May make you very drowsy. For stressed people, may make you feel better. Makes me a bit groggy in the morning if I take it, but it doesn't for most people.
Theanine	Extracted from green tea. Causes relaxation of arteries, lowers blood pressure, fights excitory neurotoxins like aspartame (Nutrisweet) and MSG, protecting brain cells	200mg 3x/day for blood pressure, or before meals with crap in them	link	None known.