Amino acid to help metabolism is more of a science than you might first suspect.
Importance of Amino Acids in Dieting
There are twenty kinds of amino acids found in the human body. Amino acids support and build protein and are necessary for cell growth and repair. You need the amino acids in your body to be balanced so your body can function normally. Amino acids are broken down into two groups. The first group is essential amino acids and the second group is nonessential amino acids.
Essential Amino Acids
There are ten essential amino acids found in various food sources. Your body isn't capable of storing or manufacturing these important amino acids, so it's vital that you receive them through your food or supplement intake.
- Arginine
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tyrptophan
- Valine
Nonessential Amino Acids
Your body is able to produce and synthesize the ten nonessential amino acids.
- Alanine
- Asparagine
- Aspartate
- Cysteine
- Glutamate
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Proline
- Serine
- Tyrosine
Using Amino Acids to Help Metabolism
Amino acids may help you to lose weight. If any amino acids are missing from in your diet, then your metabolism and all of your body systems will be affected.
Amino Acids, Insulin and Metabolism
.Amino acids work hand-in-hand with insulin to keep your metabolism balanced. Any interruption in either process can alter your metabolism. It can be slowed down and when that happens, you'll begin to gain weight. Your liver is responsible for this balancing act by processing essential amino acids and manufacturing nonessential amino acids.
Three Amino Acids for Good Metabolism
Certain amino acids have a direct effect on your metabolism. Three specific aromatic (aromatic ring system) amino acids are important in keeping your metabolism balanced. They rely upon certain vitamins to assist in the synthesizing process.
Phenylalanine, Appetite Suppressant
Your body converts the amino acid, phenylalanine in order to produce another amino acid, tyrosine. Tyrosine produces certain proteins, thyroid hormones and chemicals necessary for proper brain functions and maintaining a balanced metabolism. This amino acid can act as a natural appetite suppressant. Introducing more of it into your diet will increase your production of norepinephrine, which has a dual role of neurotransmitter and hormone producer. It can send a false hunger signal. It's also associated with the fight or flight reaction and can elevate your heart rate and even your blood pressure, so you should take it under medical supervision.
Threonine, the Blood Sugar Stabilizer
Threonine stabilizes your blood sugar so your liver can convert it into glucose. Taking supplements of magnesium, niacin and vitamin B-6 aid threonine's metabolic function.
Tryptophan, a Natural Appetite Suppressant
Tryptophan stimulates the production of serotonin that's responsible for preventing mood fluctuations and may aid in weight reduction. Turkey is high in this amino acid and is blamed for causing a lethargic sleepy feeling. Vitamin B6 is needed to synthesize this amino acid. If you're battling carbohydrate cravings while trying to drop those extra pounds, then tryptophan can be a valuable aid since it naturally decreases your desire for carbohydrates. Again, be careful when adding to your diet because too much tryptophan in your system can cause paranoid and obsessive behavior.
Finding Sources of Amino Acids
As you can see, your body needs to have a healthy and often high metabolic rate in order to fully utilize the food you eat and convert it into energy.
Vitamins and Green Tea Aid Amino Acids
There are specific vitamins that support amino acids and help to enhance your metabolic processes. B complex and C vitamins are most beneficial in assisting and supporting amino acid functions. In addition to vitamins, the properties found in green tea can stimulate and support amino acids. Protein is the best source for amino acids.
Amino Acids and Proteins
The essential amino acids are derived from proteins that are broken down into amino acids during the digestion process. Too many amino acids, that is the ingesting of too much at one time will result in either the amino acids being converted into fat and stored or synthesized into glycogen.
Vitamin B6 Vital Role
Vitamin B6 is responsible for the final step in what's call amino acid catabolism. This is a conversion process of the metabolism process that transforms the amino acids into glucose within the liver.
Foods Rich in Amino Acids
You can introduce more amino acids into your diet by consuming foods that are high and rich in these metabolism workers.
- Brown rice
- Fish, especially salmon
- Lean red meat
- Non-fat milk
- Nuts
- Yogurt
Taking Advantage of Amino Acids
Amino acids are the physical trainers of the body and force it to work harder in order to breakdown foods into useable nutrients and vitamins. This process increases your metabolic rate. The harder your body works for its energy, the higher your metabolic rate becomes.
More Protein Increases Metabolism
You may wonder how raising your metabolic rate benefits your body. Whenever your body expends greater energy in order to digest and metabolize food, it burns more calories. This process will help you lose unwanted weight.
Amino Acids in Weight Loss
If you add more protein to your diet, your metabolism must rise in order to meet the digestion demands. This diet change means you can burn up to 25% more calories in the digestion process alone. The result can be weight loss.
Boosting Your Metabolism with Amino Acids
One of the easiest and fastest ways to consume more amino acids and boost your metabolism is with whey protein drinks. These can be purchased in powder form and mixed with milk or with ice to create a smoothie drink. The key to success is to select a mix that is higher in protein grams content than carbohydrate grams.
Don't Overdo It
You can consume too much protein and tax your kidneys, so when considering the function of amino acid to help metabolism, always use caution and consult a medical professional for guidance.
