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What
Are Amino Acids?
Amino acids are often referred to the
"building blocks of life" because they are the essential components of protein.
How vital is protein? Well, proteins are the basic material of all living things. In fact,
it is said that next to water, protein accounts for the greatest portion our body weight.
Protein makes up our muscles, bone, cartilage, glands and vital body fluids.
Essential
vs. Non-Essential
It is estimated that there are over 20 commonly
known amino
acids. Of these, about 8 or 9 are considered essential because they must be obtained
from dietary sources. They include: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Non-essential
amino acids are classified as such, not because they are not important-to the contrary,
your body needs all the amino acids in the proper balance for optimum health-but because
they are manufactured in the body. Some of these are alanine, arginine, aspartic acid,
cysteine, glutamine,
glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.
What
Do Amino Acids Do?
Without a doubt, amino acids are involved in
every function of the body. They promote healthy brain function,
support immune health,
enhance the effectiveness of vitamins and minerals, and much, much more. However, in his
authoritative guide, the Amino Acids Book- What You Need To Know, noted author Carlson
Wade outlined four basic functions of amino acids:
They
help in the growth and repair of tissues and cells
They
produce hormones, enzymes and secretions needed for digestion and reproductive function
Vital
for the functioning of the bloodstream
Amino
acids give you energy
Each amino
acid plays a specific role in the body. Below is a brief summary of some of the most
common amino acids and their basic functions:
Alanine: Enhances immune system; aids in glucose metabolism.
Arginine: Generally touted as the man's amino acid because it accounts for a large
portion of seminal fluid. It's thought to increase sperm count and enhance male sexual
performance.
Aspartic
Acid: Increases stamina; enhance immune function.
Carnitine: Promotes cardiovascular health and used by the body for energy
production. Carnitine is also said
to help prevent fatty acid buildup.
Isoleucine,
Leucine and Valine: These 3 amino acids are know as branched chain
amino acids, and are of particular importance to athletes. Why? References cite their
important role in the building, maintaining and repair of muscle tissue, and serving as
energy sources for the muscle. Strenuous and intense physical exercise tend to cause a
decrease of protein metabolism in the muscle, ranched chain amino acids are thought to
help decrease and even prevent muscle protein breakdown during exercise.
Who
Needs Amino Acids?
Whether the majority of us consume adequate
protein is a subject of debate. In his book, Doctor's Guide To Natural Medicine, Dr. Paul
Barnes noted that a despite high meat consumption, if a diet is not balanced, and is high
on empty carbohydrates, it can become protein deficient. A balanced diet is the key. High
fat red meats are not the only source of protein. Protein-rich foods such as soy products,
beans, fish and eggs are excellent sources. He stated, "Unfortunately the majority of
Americans eat diets that are deficient in the total amino acid array we need to maintain
our health."
However, it is
generally agreed that dieters, athletes and strict vegetarians may need additional
supplementation of amino acids. And, no matter what you're normal daily routine includes:
working in the garden, taking care of the children, or working 9 to 5 (or longer) -
we could all use a little energy boost!
| Centaurum erythraea
(Centaury) |
Plant part used: herb.
Main active constituents: anthocyanins
Actions: indigestion, liver, gall bladder.
| Circumfuga racemosa (Black
cohosh) |
Plant part used: root and rhizome.
Main active constituents: triterpene glycosides, aromatic acids
including salicylic acid, isoflavones.
Actions: emmenagogue, treats pre-menstrual tension, endocrine
activity, pituitary and oestrogen-mimicker.
| Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
|
Plant part used: berry.
Main active constituents: proanthocyanidins
Actions: antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepato (liver)
protective
| Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam) |
Plant parts used: root and rhizome.
Main active constituents: diosgenin (sometimes referred to as
"natural progesterone" or "DHEA precursor"), glycosides of diosgenin
including helonin and chamaelirin.
Actions: emmenagogue (assists menstrual flow); uterine tonic;
treatment of amenorrhoea (lack of menstruation), dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain),
leucorrhoea (white vaginal mucous discharge). Relieves menopausal symptoms when activated.
| Echinacea purpurea
(Echinacea) |
Plant part used: root.
Main active constituents: alkamides, caffeic acid esters,
polysaccharides, betaine, phytosterols.
Actions: immunostimulant (boosts immune system); anti-inflamatory;
antibacterial; antiviral; vulnerary (promotes healing).
| Gentiana lutea (Gentian or
Bitterwort) |
Plant part used: root.
Main active constituents: iridoid glycosides (incl. iridoids and
secoiridoids), oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and xanthones.
Actions: hepatoprotective (protects liver); digestive stimulant;
anti-emetic (helps prevent or treat nausea); treats lack of appetite, beneficial in
treating anorexia.
Plant part used: leaf.
Main active constituents: bioflavonoids, ginkgolides (polyacetones),
proanthocyanidins, flavoglycosides,
Actions: antioxidant, treatment of circulatory disorders, esp.
peripheral vascular disease (stimulates circulation, tissue oxygenation, esp. brain
tissue); strokes and cerebral insufficiency.
| Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)
|
Plant part used: root.
Main active constituents: saponins, esp. glycyrrhizin, flavonoids,
polysaccharides carbenoxolene.
Actions: demulcent (soothes mucous membranes); anti-viral (incl.
herpes zoster and herpes simplex); anti-inflammatory; treatment of duodenal and gastric
ulcers; expectorant; adrenocorticotropic (exerts a hormonal influence upon the cortex of
the adrenal gland)
Plant part used: young leaf.
Main active constituents: essential amino acids, minerals (esp. zinc
and iron).
Actions: a nutritional supplement beneficial to general health. Not
considered to have therapeutic effects.
| Linum usitatissimum (Flax) |
Plant part used: seed oil.
Main active constituents: omega 3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic
acids or EPAs).
Actions: immunostimulant (boosts immune system); inhibits
prostaglandins responsible for asthmatic bronchospasms; reduces cholesterol and
triglyceride levels.
| Marrubium vulgare (Horehound)
|
Plant part used: root.
Main active constituents: diterpenes (particularly marrubiin) and
flavonoids.
Actions: stomachic tonic, expectorant (clears mucous in bronchitis
etc.)
| Matricaria recutita
(Chamomile) |
Plant part used: flower.
Main active constituents: (-)-a-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides A and B,
sesquiterpenes (particularly chamazulene).
Actions: anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic (arrests spasms), vulnerary
(promotes healing), antimicrobial.
| Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) |
Plant part used: leaf.
Main active constituents: coumarins, isoflavones.
Actions: treatment and prevention of acid reflux.
Note: Alfalfa is not considered by the Australian Therapeutic Goods
Administration to have any therapeutic effect and is therefore regarded as a food.
| Passiflora incarnata (Passion
flower) |
Plant part used: flower, leaf and fruit.
Main active constituents: flavonoids, apigenin and luteolin
flavones.
Actions: sedative, antispasmodic; treatment of sleep disorders,
nervous stress, anxiety.
| Petroselinum crispum
(Parsley) |
Plant part used: leaf
Main active constituents: myristicin, apiole, b-phellandrene and
other volatile oils, flavonoids (particularly apigenin glucosides and apiosylglucosides)
and furocoumarins.
Actions: diuretic (treats fluid retention), carminative (treats
stomach gas), spasmolytic (arrests spasms).
| Piper methysticum (Kava Kava) |
Plant part used: root
Main active constituents: kavain, methysticin
Actions: muscle relaxant, antipyretic (reduces fever), antifungal.
Note: Kava Kava is reported not to affect adversely mental
alertness.
| Plantaga Indica (Psyllium) |
Plant part used: seed husk
Main active constituent: soluble fibre
Actions: bowel health, prevention of bowel cancer, lowering of blood
cholesterol levels.
| Polygala sibirica (Siberian
Milkwort, Senega) |
Plant part used: root bark
Main active constituents: triterpenoid saponins, mono- and oligo-
saccharides.
Actions: expectorant (dislodges mucous), treatment of catarrh and
bronchitis.
| Serenoa serrulata (Saw
Palmetto) |
Plant part used: fruit
Main active constituents: oleic, myristis, lauric and linoleic fatty
acids.
Actions: inhibition of 5a-reductase, the enzyme responsible for
converting testosterone into 5a-hydroxytestosterone which is associated with prostate
enlargement, therefore used clinically in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy;
also has anto-androgenic properties which assist with treatment of acne, female hirsutism
(beard growth) and baldness.
| Smilax medica (Sarsaparilla) |
Plant part used: root and rhizome
Main active constituents: saponins, parillin, photosterols and
potassium
Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic (helps excrete
excess fluid build-up), treatment of psoriasis, eczema and rheumatism (including
rheumatoid arthritis).
| Taraxacum officinale
(Dandelion) |
Plant part used: whole plant
Main active constituents: seaquiterpene lactones, triterpenes,
coumarins, carotenoids and potassium.
Actions: diuretic (helps excrete excess fluid build-up), choleretic
and cholagogue (promotes bile flow from liver).
Plant part used: leaf
Main active constituents: terpenes, particularly thymol and
carvacol.
Actions: expectorant (dislodges mucous), anti-microbal (inhibits
bacterial growth), anthelmintic (treatment of worms) and anti-spasmodoc (counters spasms).
| Tilia cordata (Lime tree) |
Plant part used: flower
Main active constituents: flavonoids, phenolic acids,
polysaccharides and procyanin dimers.
Actions: sedative, anti-spasmodic (counters spasms), diaphoretic
(induces perspiration), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure).
| Trifolium pratense (Red
Clover) |
Plant part used: flower
Main active constituents: flavonoids, flavonols and isoflavones
(particularly formononentin), salicylic and p-coumaric acids.
Actions: relaxant, expectorant (dislodges mucous), phyto-oestrogenic
(binds to oestrogen receptors but with low oestrogenic activity), mild anti-spasmodic.
| Trillium erectum (Beth Root) |
Plant part used: root
Main active constituents: diosgenin.
Actions: DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) precursor both chemically and
metabolically; to be metabolic precursor requires activation either by animal glandular
extracts or by herbal methods. Diosgenin has been referred to as "Natural
Progesterone"..
| Vitex agnus-casta (Chaste
Tree) |
Plant part used: fruit
Main active constituents: not specified.
Actions: treatment of fibroids, pre-menstrual tension, "hormone
balancer".
Plant part used: seed
Main active constituents: proanthocyanidins (pycnogenols).
Actions: potent antioxidants of specific advantage for the vascular
system and free radical scavenging.
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