Amino acids effect in the human body: tasks & functions
Maik Thies (Fitnessfachwirt IHK)
Amino acids (or aminos) have many tasks and functions in the human organism. Some of them form the basis of the body's protein, while others are involved in the synthesis of various other substances. New insights into how these substances work and function are constantly emerging. Even other amino acids are still being discovered.
Many people have their own personal experience with aminos. This applies above all to athletes, but also to people who find themselves in certain health-stressful situations.
Find out more about the current state of science and research.
One or two reports on experiences with the Aminos are also included in our article, both peripherally and indirectly.
Amino acids at a glance
Amino acids have a specific chemical structure with an amino group and are mainly considered building blocks of the body's own proteins. That's why they are also called protein building blocks or amino acid proteins .
The terms amino acidand protein are often equated, although this perspective is somewhat shortened.
There are over 600 different amino acids known to date, of which just over 20 play a particularly important role in our body. 8 representatives from this group are called essential amino acids.
The body cannot produce these amino acids itself, so they must be consumed daily with food.
Essential amino acids are:
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
L tryptophan
Valine
There are also some protein building blocks that are considered partially necessary, i.e. semi-essential amino acids . The body can absorb these through food. In addition, they only have to be supplied through the diet during certain phases of a person's life and development.
Overall, all amino acids are characterized by the fact that they are subject to a variety of reactions and conversion processes in our body. This also results in processes that are referred to as a type of “ recycling ” because, for example, one amino acid is formed from another or a new protein building block is created from two amino acids.
Protein building blocks are constantly in motion and subject to transformations.
Amino acids effect: functions and tasks
Amino acids play a variety of roles in the human organism. Above all, they form the material basis for body tissue and other substances such as messenger substances and hormones.
Many areas of activity of amino acids are not immediately accessible, but only through an effect or lack of effect that is related to the supply of amino acids.
Below you will find out what role amino acids play in the diet, how high your overall protein requirement is and what a deficiency can mean for you.
1. Protein and protein building materials in the diet
Protein is one of the three macronutrients. Our organism needs protein in addition to carbohydrates and fats in the diet for its material maintenance. Protein occupies a special position because, compared to fats and carbohydrates, it only serves indirectly to provide energy, but instead acts as a building material for all tissues in the human organism.
The smaller parts of the protein, the protein building blocks, are often the basis for materials and substances that the body can produce itself. As a rule, each amino acid has to fulfill several tasks in the organism.
Essential amino acids are taken in with food. Therefore, foods are differentiated according to the extent to which they contain these important substances.
A measure of the quality of a food from the protein side is the so-called biological value . The chicken egg is considered a reference object. In this context, it has a biological value of 100. Other foods are compared to the chicken egg.
It is noticeable that animal foods generally contain essential amino acids in a desired relative quantity distribution.
Plant-based foods perform worse in a comparison of biological value . They lack other essential amino acids , so that the entire spectrum of these indispensable protein building blocks can only be achieved through a certain combination of foods of plant origin.
As a vegan, you may find it much more difficult to get all the amino acids you need.
2. Is there an optimal diet for protein supply?
The unequal distribution of protein building blocks in various foods of animal and plant origin regularly leads to controversial discussions about the health value of certain diets.
Scientists also do not agree on the origin of the proteins :
Many experts consider animal protein sources to be potentially harmful to health.
Others consider the plant protein sources to be insufficient even in combination.
Intensive research is being carried out to assess the supply of essential amino acids:
Some scientists have developed a model for this, which they call an amino acid pattern or MAP (" Master Amino Acid Pattern "). In particular, the American scientist Professor Dr. Luca-Moretti considers this MAP to be a characteristic reference value. He is of the opinion that an optimal diet must always fully reflect the MAP.
Over 99% of essential amino acids can be converted into the body's own protein and thus form the human MAP. What matters here is each individual essential amino acid and the effect of each amino acid in combination with the other essential amino acids.
What do these many different opinions mean for your diet, your individual needs and your supply of aminos in special life situations?
3. Aminos in old age
When it comes to the supply of amino acids, there are increasing signs that you may need more of them, especially as you get older.
Repair and construction processes associated with aging make protein and protein building blocks even more valuable for you if you
want to maintain beautiful skin for as long as possible.
You want to maintain your well-being and psychological balance for a long time.
Proteins and protein building blocks are not only building materials, but are also very important for the performance of the organism. Even if not all of the findings are scientifically substantiated, one or two reports from athletes already point in exactly this direction.
Here, particularly in connection with the so-called BCAAs - these are the essential amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine - a subjectively convincing effect on muscle maintenance, muscle building and regeneration after intensive sporting activity is regularly reported. You can also incorporate these experiences into your everyday life.
4. Aminos and diets
Can proteins and protein building blocks help you lose weight?
Proteins and thus aminos are said to have an effect on weight loss because they consume energy after consumption and do not provide any additional energy.
This very simplified argument is often used to explain that proteins are particularly suitable for supporting weight management and losing body weight.
This claim has currently become more important because carbohydrates are now viewed very critically.
So-called bad carbohydrates, which cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, are now being linked by many nutrition experts to the large amounts of weight that many people gain.
Keywords such as low-carb characterize diets that place more emphasis on increased protein intake.
Strict reduction diets show you how important it really is to supply the organism with sufficient protein.
If the supply of protein is not secured in connection with them, the body begins to break down its own proteins. This leads in particular to a breakdown of muscles. Proteins and protein building blocks are therefore indispensable for your weight management.
5. Proteins, protein building blocks and your needs
Researchers have developed certain requirement numbers for proteins, amino acids, but also some individual amino acids. According to the DGE (German Society for Nutrition), the protein requirement for an adult should typically be 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight .
Different life circumstances and changing situations can increase this need.
For athletes, for example, requirements range from 2 g to over 6 g/kilogram body weight.
Standardized values are difficult to develop for the supply of proteins, protein building blocks and a single amino acid. Our needs can develop very individually. It cannot be ruled out that one or another medicine could increase your need for amino acids as a side effect.
As an athlete, should you also consume products with proteins, protein building blocks or a specific amino acid?
This question is answered differently. Intensive research continues here.
However, initial findings indicate that an additional supply of proteins and protein building blocks can be useful, for example, to maintain, regenerate and build muscles under intensive stress .
In a field report, some athletes also report good experiences with the additional intake of a specific amino acid such as L arginine or a group of building blocks such as BCAA.
6. Aminos and the balanced diet
A balanced diet could provide you with all the protein building blocks. However, we have already seen that it can be difficult to determine and implement the composition of a balanced diet.
As a vegan, an athlete, a senior or a sick person, it can be a challenge for you to know your individual needs for nutrients such as protein because these are subject to fluctuations.
In addition, you may not be able to put together your diet optimally every day.
7. Deficiency in protein and protein supply
How do you recognize deficiencies in the supply of protein and protein building blocks?
Since amino acids have so many different functions, these symptoms, among others, can indicate a deficiency in their supply:
Losses in physical performance
Muscle loss
Problems with hair loss and early wrinkling
Moods and other negative changes in mood
Weaknesses of the immune system
Disorders of thyroid function with lethargy or hyperexcitability
Important for you: Deficiencies in the supply of proteins arise gradually, which is why they are often not noticed at first. Therefore, be careful if you notice changes in your body and, above all, in your well-being.
In connection with a deficiency of amino acids , many people also report that everything seems more difficult to them - daily activities and tasks, physical work and special requirements.
Useful nutritional supplement?
We cannot give you any recommendation as to whether dietary supplementation with amino acids in general or with a specific amino acid makes sense for you.
However, experience shows that many people benefit from an additional supply of proteins and protein building blocks. You feel an increased sense of well-being , increased performance and associate the protein building blocks with more performance, lightness and joy of life during sporting activity or even in stressful life situations.
The essential protein building blocks in particular seem to provide positive experiences as dietary supplements such as amino4u when taken together.
Protein building blocks work together, making it harder to estimate the effect of the isolated intake of an amino acid. So far it has not been possible to determine that an additional intake of amino acids would be associated with any side effects.
The potential benefit of additional amino acids is therefore significantly higher than the risk of a side effect.
If some things in your life could be easier with more protein, it's worth taking a test. This is especially true in old age, when many of the body's building and maintenance processes slow down. Amino acids could be the “ turbocharger ” for more joy in life and well-being. Amino acids are the building blocks of the body - so give it a try!
Overall, all amino acids are characterized by the fact that they are subject to a variety of reactions and conversion processes in our body. This also results in processes that are referred to as a type of “ recycling ” because, for example, one amino acid is formed from another or a new protein building block is created from two amino acids.
Protein building blocks are constantly in motion and subject to transformations.
Repair and construction processes associated with aging make protein and protein building blocks even more valuable for you if you
This question is answered differently. Intensive research continues here.
However, initial findings indicate that an additional supply of proteins and protein building blocks can be useful, for example, to maintain, regenerate and build muscles under intensive stress .
In a field report, some athletes also report good experiences with the additional intake of a specific amino acid such as L arginine or a group of building blocks such as BCAA.
However, experience shows that many people benefit from an additional supply of proteins and protein building blocks. You feel an increased sense of well-being , increased performance and associate the protein building blocks with more performance, lightness and joy of life during sporting activity or even in stressful life situations.
The essential protein building blocks in particular seem to provide positive experiences as dietary supplements such as amino4u when taken together.
Protein building blocks work together, making it harder to estimate the effect of the isolated intake of an amino acid. So far it has not been possible to determine that an additional intake of amino acids would be associated with any side effects.
The potential benefit of additional amino acids is therefore significantly higher than the risk of a side effect.
If some things in your life could be easier with more protein, it's worth taking a test. This is especially true in old age, when many of the body's building and maintenance processes slow down. Amino acids could be the “ turbocharger ” for more joy in life and well-being. Amino acids are the building blocks of the body - so give it a try!
