Twenty Amino Acids: 2. Arginine - Arg - R
Twenty Amino Acids: 2. Arginine - Arg - R
Twenty Amino Acids: 2. Arginine - Arg - R
There are twenty amino acids required for human life to exist. Adults need
nine essential amino acids that they cannot synthesize and must get from
food. The other eleven can be produced within our bodies. In addition to
the twenty amino acids we show you, there are others found in nature (and
some very small amounts in us). These twenty are the biggies for our
species and defined as the standard amino
acids.
1. Alanine – ala – A
An important amino acid as it is an energy
source for the liver.
One of the amino acids which most easily
used as an energy source.
Reported to improve alcohol metabolism.
Used as a material for synthesis of glucose
(blood sugar) needed by the body.
Essential to the health of the liver.
2. Arginine – arg – R
An amino acid needed to maintain normal
functions of blood vessels and other
organs.
Plays an important role in expanding blood
vessels to facilitate the blood flow.
Nitric oxide, which is required to expand
blood vessels, is made from arginine.
An amino acid that is useful in eliminating excessive ammonia from the body.
Reported to enhance immunological function.
Arginine possesses various functions, which the body utilizes when necessary;
like when blood flow is insufficient during exercise; or when ammonia, a fatigue-
causing substance, is increased; or when body resistance is likely to decrease.
3. Asparagine – asn – N
It is an amino acid which is located close to
the TCA cycle (place of energy generation)
together with aspartic acid.
4. Aspartic acid – asp – D
Contained in asparagus in large amounts.
An amino acid which is most easily used as
an energy source.
Maybe used as an ingredient of nutrient
preparations.
Aspartic acid is an amino acid which is
located most closely to the TCA cycle, the
site of energy production.
The TCA cycle can be likened to the engine
of a car. Based on this mechanism, each of
our body cells generates energy.
5. Cysteine – cys – C
Cysteine is easy to be deficient in the
infants.
Synthesized from methionine in the human
body.
With infants the ability of this cysteine
synthesis activity is not sufficient.
6. Glutamine – gln – Q
An amino acid needed to maintain normal
functions of the gastrointestinal tract and
muscles.
One of the amino acids contained most
abundantly in the body.
Plays a role in protecting the stomach and
intestinal tract.
Used as an energy source for the intestinal
tract in particular.
9. Histidine – his – H
An essential amino acid which is used to
produce histamine and others.