Why are amino acids so important for our body?
Article series: Proteins – building blocks of our life
When it comes to proteins, most people immediately think of bodybuilding and muscle mass. What is often overlooked: proteins, also commonly referred to as protein, are not only important for building muscle. Without proteins, none of us could live. This is because proteins, which are made up of amino acids, are the primary building material of our cells and are therefore involved in almost all vital processes in the body. That is why they are also referred to as the building blocks of life. Strength athletes recognized this long ago and have made use of it. It is no coincidence that the term protein is derived from the Greek word “proteios,” which means something like “in first place.”
Proteins – the dramaturges among macronutrients
Alongside carbohydrates and fats, proteins are among the macronutrients. Macronutrients are the basic components of every food and provide our body with energy. In adults, proteins make up about 15 to 17 percent of body mass.
Proteins are the basic building blocks of all human cells. They provide the building material for our muscles, organs and blood, as well as for hormones and enzymes. One particularly important function of proteins is to build new cells and repair existing ones. Controlled by our genetic code, they also play a decisive role in many vital processes, much like small working robots. In addition, proteins are the basic building blocks of our immune defense cells. Proteins are even needed as reserve substances for energy supply during hunger. Whether in healing processes, muscle building or the renewal of our body cells – nothing works without protein.
Amino acids – basic building blocks of proteins
The smallest building blocks of proteins are the 21 so-called proteinogenic, i.e. protein-building, amino acids, which are controlled by our genetic code and linked together in chains. Amino acids consist mainly of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and, rarely, sulfur.
Almost all vital substances that our body needs are converted from these amino acids into peptides or proteins. Peptides are relatively short amino acid chains with a length of up to approx. 100 amino acids. Amino acids are therefore the true building blocks of life, transported via the blood to those parts of the body – e.g. the skin, the muscles, the liver cells or the enzymes – where they are then converted into and incorporated as the body’s own protein.
The eight essential amino acids
Of these proteinogenic amino acids, eight are indispensable for adult humans and therefore essential: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Since the body cannot produce these eight essential amino acids itself, it is vital that we obtain them through our diet. This is because they are the basic prerequisite for our body to be able to form the remaining amino acids. Under certain circumstances, e.g. during the growth phase or convalescence, we may need to consume more amino acids through our diet.
The specific amino acid profile of humans – Human Amino Acid Profile
In recent times, researchers have discovered that every living being has its own very specific amino acid profile, the so-called “master profile” – and this also applies to humans. This amino acid profile is a prerequisite for achieving maximum protein biosynthesis. Protein biosynthesis is one of the most central processes in our human body. Put simply, new proteins are formed in our cells during this process. The synthesis of these new proteins takes place according to a plan that is defined in the genetic information of our DNA.
Only when all eight essential amino acids are present simultaneously and in exactly the right ratio to one another can our organism optimally build the body’s own protein. The more the proportion and ratio of the eight essential amino acids deviate from the optimal amino acid profile, the lower the protein nutritional value or the so-called net amino acid utilization (NAU) of a protein food source. And the higher the proportion of metabolic waste.
There is a special feature of protein metabolism compared with carbohydrate and fat metabolism, in which only water and carbon dioxide are produced as excretion products: when amino acids are broken down, the splitting of the individual components produces, among other things, nitrogen waste in the form of ammonia, which is toxic to our cells. This nitrogen waste must be broken down in the liver via what is known as urea biosynthesis and converted into urea.
“Two things are needed if life is to succeed:
proteins and nucleic acids.”
Arthur Kornberg on the occasion of his Nobel Prize award in 1959
How much protein does our body need per day?
Our modern diet, environmental pollution and our lifestyle dominated by chronic stress and constant sensory overload do not always ensure that we absorb and/or utilize all vital amino acids, i.e. the eight essential amino acids, in sufficient quantities and in the right ratio.
In our therapeutic work, we repeatedly find that most people consume too little protein. However, since our body needs sufficient protein to maintain its functionality, a protein deficiency can affect our physical and mental well-being in many ways. Because when there is an undersupply of protein, it is not only our body substance—bones, cartilage, muscles, nails, etc.—that suffers, but also our immune system, digestion and hormonal system. We lose valuable muscle mass and no longer have a good feeling of satiety. Fatigue, exhaustion, susceptibility to infections, digestive disorders, weight problems, poor wound healing and poor regenerative capacity are just a few of the possible consequences.
An adequate supply of high-quality proteins is therefore an important prerequisite for health for each of us.
In addition, there are life situations that result in an increased protein requirement: older people, athletes, pregnant women, children in the growth phase, vegetarians and vegans, as well as people who are acutely or chronically ill. A one-sided diet can also lead to disorders of protein metabolism.
Animal vs. plant protein
Our body has no protein store, which is why our body cells depend on a regular supply of protein. What many people do not know: it is not only the quantity that matters, but the quality of the proteins.
The more the amino acid profile of a dietary protein resembles the body’s own amino acid profile in its composition, the more “valuable” the protein is and the more easily it can be converted into the body’s own protein. This nutritional quality of a protein is also called “biological value.” And the higher the quality of a protein, the smaller the amount that needs to be consumed.
For comparison: an egg has a net utilization value of 48 percent; fish, meat and poultry have a net utilization value of 28 to 36 percent. The lowest net utilization value and consequently the most toxic nitrogen waste is found in plant proteins. Plant protein sources have a very low net yield with comparatively high waste. Therefore, with a purely vegan diet, the additional intake of a high-quality protein product is definitely necessary. But we also recommend that vegetarians and meat eaters supplement their diet with additional high-quality proteins.
MyAMINO® by dr. reinwald vital – the protein revolution
With MyAMINO® we have developed a globally unique protein product that allows you to supply your body with a high proportion of highly pure amino acids and that produces almost no nitrogen waste (< 1%). The special feature of MyAMINO®: the eight essential amino acids are present in a very specific ratio to one another. And this ratio enables the highest protein nutritional value worldwide, with an almost 99% net utilization value. This means that virtually all amino acids can be used for protein synthesis and thus for the body’s cell formation (anabolic). The nitrogen provided in MyAMINO® is used as a precursor for protein biosynthesis and does not enter breakdown. Substituting dietary protein with MyAMINO® thus relieves the kidneys and liver.
MyAMINO® also does not produce digestive end products in the intestine, which helps relieve the digestive system and consequently also the cardiovascular system.
In addition, MyAMINO® has virtually no calories, while still supplying your body with the same amount of actually usable amino acids as approximately 350g of meat, fish or poultry. Because proteins generally contribute to a greater feeling of satiety than carbohydrates, for example.
That is the great advantage of MyAMINO®: your body is relieved and at the same time adequately supplied with high-quality amino acids.
Do you have questions or would you like to know more? Our friendly team – consisting of therapists and naturopaths – will be happy to advise you on all aspects of proteins, amino acids and MyAMINO®. Call now or use our chat.
