Essential amino acids: what are they?

aminoacidi-essenziali

Essential amino acids: what are they?

Amino acids fall into two categories: essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids.

They are molecules chemically characterized by an amino group -NH2 and a carboxylic group -COOH. To date, over 300 amino acids have been identified, but only 20 combine to form the proteins in our body.

The body’s demand for amino acids is always very high to cope with the processes of synthesis and destruction of proteins (turnover). In these processes, all amino acids are important even if not in equal measure with each other.

Essential amino acids

Essential amino acids are the most important of all because the body is unable to synthesize them independently and must necessarily be introduced with the diet.

The non-essential ones are not only predominant in dietary proteins but can also be synthesized from the essentials themselves.

From this premise it is clear to understand how the lack of a single essential amino acid is so important that it undermines the delicate balance that characterizes the replacement of our body’s cells. Under normal conditions, the balance between the synthesis and the destruction of proteins is kept in balance but the appearance of a disease, as well as in old age or in the phases of growth, there is a significantly higher demand for amino acids. Few people know that a trivial infection can result in a demand for amino acids that is 4 times higher than normal, while for a major surgery this need can increase by up to 20 times. When the dietary supply of protein is insufficient, the muscles act as a reservoir of amino acids, initiating a progressive exhaustion called sarcopenia or muscle cachexia that compromises the quality and duration of life itself.

Which ones are they?

Our health depends on an adequate availability of 9 essential amino acids. Among these, the best known are the so-called branched (BCAA) Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine while the remaining 6 are Methionine, Threonine, Lysine, Phenylalanine, Histidine and Tryptophan.

As Professor Robert Wolf, considered the world’s foremost expert on the subject, states, amino acids work as a team: every single amino acid has a specific role but no one can act alone. Supplementing the diet with a single essential amino acid or a limited number of them can even have the opposite effects to those intended.

Which supplements can help you?

The clinical advantage offered by a supplement such as MYTHOXAN is given by the particular ratio between essential and non-essential amino acids. The greater share of essential amino acids than any dietary protein makes this supplement an irreplaceable weapon for correcting the muscle loss typical of aging and all chronic diseases. fall into two categories: essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids.

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