Amino acid deficiency and its symptoms

There is a debate among nutritionists. Some of them think that we consume too many amino acids and proteins. Others fear that we are suffering from a deficiency of amino acids. In this article we want to show you how these controversial statements fit together and how you can use amino acids for your own, holistic well-being. Amino acids have many important functions in the human organism. The need for these important protein building blocks varies from person to person and from life situation to life situation. The need can increase in cases of illness, exercise, age and stress. We have to get some of the protein building blocks with food because our organism cannot produce them itself.

Amino acids - this is what you should know about the topic

Amino acids are protein building blocks from which the body can produce its own proteins, among other things. The protein building blocks fulfill other functions in our body, for example other important substances are formed from them. The entire metabolism also depends on the presence of various protein building blocks. Deficiencies in care can therefore have an impact on a wide variety of areas of our body.

Essential and non-essential protein building blocks

Of the approximately 20 most important building blocks for protein formation, our organism cannot produce 8 itself. They must be consumed regularly with food. They are called essential amino acids . It is about:

1. Isoleucine
2. Leucine
3. Lysine
4. Methionine
5. Phenylalanine
6. Threonine
7. Tryptophan
8. Valine

According to some scientists and doctors, these essential representatives of protein building blocks play a key role because they represent the so-called human amino acid pattern MAP (“ Master Aminoacid Pattern ”). The Italian scientist Professor Dr. Luca-Moretti has developed a theory that assigns a specific pattern of protein building blocks to every living creature. The MAP consists of amino acids that can be converted particularly well into the body's own proteins in the organism. Over 99% of essential amino acids can be converted into the body's own proteins in the human organism. From this high level of effectiveness in the processing processes in the body, experts such as Dr. Luca-Moretti said that the lack of even one amino acid in this context could lead to a deficiency or functional disorders.

Care and nutrition

Essential protein building blocks must be supplied regularly with your diet. They work together and not in isolation. You may have challenges with the regular intake of essential amino acids and develop a deficiency, especially as a vegan. Animal foods regularly represent the MAP completely, and the proportions of the building blocks are also correct in relation to each other. Plant-based foods are often missing one or another amino acid, so the MAP of these foods is not complete. When assessing the usability of proteins in food, we speak of biological value . A chicken egg has a biological value of 100. It contains all the essential protein building blocks in the right amount. The food industry and science measure other foods based on this composition. When compared, plant-based foods perform worse here. In many cases they have to be combined in a special way in order to ensure the supply of the essential protein building blocks and to prevent a deficiency.

Our daily protein requirements in numbers

• Nutritionists put the protein requirement per day and kilogram of body weight at 0.8 g.
• Under stress, strain and physical exertion, this requirement quickly increases to 2 g/kilogram to 6 g/kilogram of body weight.

These general requirement numbers say nothing about the composition of the protein consumed. We cannot draw any conclusions from this as to whether our organism is supplied with all the important amino acids . For this reason, it is difficult to determine generally whether we have achieved an adequate supply of proteins through our normal diet. We lack a more detailed analysis of the protein building blocks it contains and the coverage of requirements, which would allow us to find evidence of an amino acid deficiency .

How do you recognize an amino acid deficiency?

The protein building blocks are the basis for the formation of the body's own proteins. The body's own amino acid proteins are considered building materials for physical tissues such as our skin. Degenerative processes (for example skin aging) can therefore also be associated with deficiencies in protein supply. In addition, various protein building blocks are the basis for the formation of other important substances.

Lysine deficiency symptoms

For example, the vitamin-like substance carnitine is formed from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Carnitine is important for energy metabolism and fat burning. We also need protein building blocks for the production of thyroid hormones and for many metabolic functions. A lysine deficiency can therefore become noticeable in a wide variety of physical areas. Deficiencies often occur gradually, and that is why we often do not identify the symptoms of a deficiency as a lack of protein. The following deficiency symptoms can occur:

• skin changes,
• hair loss,
• lack of motivation,
• a changed mood,
• Losses in physical performance
• and an increase in body weight

Various studies and investigations have also shown that the human immune system suffers from a lack of amino acid supply. You may also be able to explain this immune impairment if you know that tryptophan, methionine and lysine, but also isoleucine and valine, among others, are linked to our plasma glutamine levels. According to current knowledge, glutamine is said to play a key role in our body's immune defense. An L -glutamine deficiency could therefore put a strain on the immune system. L-glutamine is also involved in many important processes in the body. Among other things, the semi-essential amino acid supports:

• the formation of hair follicles (largely responsible for our hair growth)
• natural regeneration of the skin
• counteracts fat storage in the body

Further consequences of defects

Another possible consequence of a lack of amino acids is often underestimated. Our organism as a whole is dependent on an adequate supply of proteins. Not only are proteins one of three essential macronutrients, they also form the basis of all of our body tissue. If too little of the body's own protein is produced due to a lack of amino acids , our organism falls back on existing body protein. This can result in our muscles, for example, breaking down. You may have already observed this with strict weight loss diets that do not provide an adequate supply of protein building blocks. In its distress, the body now switches to protein-breaking processes and the muscles are reduced. As a further consequence , reduced muscles use less energy, which makes weight loss more difficult. Losing weight with amino acids is also more difficult. Even those who exercise intensively increase their need for proteins and thus also for protein building blocks. In many sports, emphasis is placed on building muscles rather than breaking them down. That's why athletes should also make sure that there are no deficiencies in the supply of valuable protein building blocks. A deficiency hinders athletic performance.

Increase your own well-being with protein building blocks and protein

If you want to prevent degenerative processes and the breakdown of the body's own protein, keep an eye on your supply of protein building blocks and protein. Your well-being is closely linked to protein building blocks. A sufficient supply of these substances is therefore about much more. This interrelationship is also often underestimated - similar to the deficiency itself.

How tryptophan affects your mood

A typical example of the effect of amino acids on the mood is the amino acid tryptophan. It is also considered essential. Tryptophan is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin . Serotonin deficiency is associated with the occurrence of depression, as are imbalances in this neurotransmitter. Sufficient amounts of tryptophan lead to

• increased well-being,
• calm nerves,
• good sleep
• and balanced moods.

Especially when there is a lack of this essential amino acid, the deficiency in the protein building blocks can have a direct impact on psychological balance and our well-being.

Tyrosine deficiency & symptoms

Most people already have an idea that thyroid hormones are important for good well-being. Imbalances can occur

• Lack of motivation
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Disorders of cardiovascular functions
• and overexcitation

lead. We are talking about an overactive or underactive thyroid . The functionality of the thyroid is directly related to balanced levels of the hormones involved. The amino acid tyrosine is directly involved in the formation of the thyroid hormone fT4 . If there is not enough tyrosine in our body, the production of the hormone is at risk. We may develop over- or under-functioning.

Glutamine, serine, glycine and burnout

We have already described above on the subject of the immune system that various building blocks form the substance glutamine. Glutamine is also required for the formation of other substances, including the messenger substance GABA (" gamma-aminobutyric acid "). The building blocks glycine and serine also play a role in this context. GABA is also important for our psychological balance. Symptoms such as depression and burnout are associated with a glycine deficiency .

Optimize care for greater well-being

The connection between a sufficient supply of amino acids and psychological balance has something to do with personally perceived well-being. If you optimize your supply of protein building blocks, you will probably also improve your own quality of life. Optimization is not just about the supply of essential aminos. Even if this seems particularly important, tyrosine, for example, is a non-essential amino acid and is still important for the formation of the thyroid hormone fT4. At this point you may be wondering whether a balanced diet can ensure an optimal supply of aminos and rule out a deficiency.

Is a balanced diet enough and what should it look like?

Opinions differ as to what a balanced diet should consist of. A typical example is the different opinions on protein intake . The main question is how much of what we need. Animal proteins are now suspected of being harmful to health when consumed in high quantities. But animal foods in particular contain the complete MAP. In contrast, according to general opinion and especially from the perspective of vegans, plant-based foods are considered to be particularly healthy, but do not contain the complete MAP. There is also controversy about other macronutrients . Excessive carbohydrate intake is criticized because it is said to promote obesity, especially in the form of so-called “ bad ” carbohydrates with a sharp increase in blood sugar. Fats are also regularly criticized. It seems difficult to eat a balanced diet. There is increasing evidence that the need for valuable amino acids may be higher in old age in order to prevent the breakdown of the body's own proteins. The complex relationships between the various nutrients make it difficult for us to optimally put together our own daily diet. This particularly affects amino acids and protein because we have difficulty estimating their needs. Since other substances also promote the function of the protein building blocks, it is also important to integrate them into our diet.

Every amino acid needs helpers

Examples of other substances that support the work of aminos :

• Magnesium: supports many functions and effects of protein, is also partially bound to proteins and regulates the work of the protein building blocks via the body's own receptor sites. A deficiency of this mineral therefore impairs the function of the aminos.
• Fatty acids and coenzymes: form non-essential amino acids in the liver.

Supply of high-quality nutritional supplements

Especially in special life situations such as old age , stress or illness, an adequate supply of protein building blocks can increase our own well-being. Amino acids Side effects due to the additional intake are not yet known. We recommend that you avoid an amino acid deficiency through optimal supply. Even if the symptoms and effects of a deficiency are not immediately apparent, its long-term consequences may be serious. This is particularly true if the body's own protein is broken down due to the deficiency. Deficiencies could accelerate aging and other degenerative processes, lead to loss of muscle mass and mental imbalances. Hair loss can also occur. By consuming amino acids to combat hair loss , it is possible to rebalance the hormonal balance. According to current knowledge, we can avoid such consequences by eating as balanced a diet as possible, although we may not be able to do this every day. Here, the additional intake of high-quality amino building blocks is another measure for good supply. amino4u can help you support your balanced diet. With enough protein, you can go through life more easily.