Genetic Disorders and Birth Defects

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that can be derived from the diet or produced in the body from methionine and cysteine. Taurine differs from other amino acids in the following ways: It is not utilized in protein synthesis, but is found unbound... Full Answer

Methionine and cysteine are inter-convertible sulfur-containing amino acids. Methionine is considered an essential amino acid; while cysteine is not. These sulfur-containing amino acids are very important to the health of connective tissue, joints, hair,... Full Answer

Glutamine, given its importance to the cells of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, has been shown to prevent mouth ulcers (stomatitis), muscle and joint pain, and suppression of the immune system in cancer patients receiving some... Full Answer

Glutamine promotes the healing of peptic ulcers. In a double-blind study of 57 patients with peptic ulcers, 24 took 1.6 grams of glutamine per day, while the rest used conventional therapies, such as antacids and antispasmodics. Glutamine proved to be... Full Answer

Glutamine supplementation has been shown to boost immune function and fight infection. These effects have been best demonstrated in endurance athletes (extreme exercise suppresses the immune system) and critically ill subjects. In fact, its importance is... Full Answer

Some evidence suggests that overtraining results in low glutamine levels and that glutamine supplementation can help prevent over training, as well as help an athlete recover from over training. Plasma glutamine concentrations increase during exercise.... Full Answer

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. It is also the most abundant amino acid in the blood and in the free amino acid pool of skeletal muscle. Glutamine stimulates the... Full Answer

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These essential amino acids are very important for the maintenance of muscle tissue and appear to preserve muscle stores of glycogen, a storage form of carbohydrate that can be... Full Answer

Special amino acids are of specific interest with regard to growth and development, metabolism, and protection from environmental chemicals, as well as a variety of diseases. They include arginine, the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), glutamine,... Full Answer

In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 72 percent of protein in the diet is from animal products - specifically, 49 percent from meat, fish, and poultry; 18 percent from dairy products; and four percent from eggs. In contrast, plant foods... Full Answer