
This week we’re going to take a look at amino acids.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Proteins are complex molecules comprised of combinations of 22 naturally occurring amino acids. When a person eats a food that contains protein, their digestive system breaks the protein down into amino acids. The body then combines the amino acids in various ways to carry out bodily functions. Amino acids build muscles, cause chemical reactions in the body, transport nutrients, prevent illness, and carry out other functions. Amino acid deficiency can result in decreased immunity, digestive problems, depression, apathy, lack of motivation, inability to relax, poor memory, poor concentration, fertility issues, lower mental alertness, slowed growth in children, and many other health issues.
Amino acids can be looked at as the alphabet of mind and mood. Amino acids improve how the brain ‘talks’. Essentially, the words the brain uses to send messages from one cell to another are called neurotransmitters and the letters they are built from are amino acids. Examples of these neurotransmitters are; Adrenalin, noradrenalin, and dopamine, which make you feel good, stimulate you, motivate you, and help you deal with stress. GABA counteracts the stimulating neurotransmitters, relaxing you and calming you down after stress. Serotonin keeps you happy, improving your mood and banishing the blues. Acetylcholine keeps your brain sharp, improving memory and mental alertness. Tryptamines keep you connected. For example, melatonin keeps you in sync with day and night and the seasons.
These neurotransmitters are made directly from amino acids taken into the body from

food. There are eight essential amino acids, from these eight, all other amino acids our brain and body need can be made, in turn, these can make neurotransmitters. When it comes to brain health and mood, amino acids are vital. For example, the amino acid tryptophan creates the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps to improve mood. Tyrosine has been shown to improve mental and physical performance, especially under stressful situations.
Eating enough protein is vital, since almost all neurotransmitters are made from it. You can influence how you feel by giving yourself the ideal quantity and quality of protein every day. This is fantastic for your body and brain, particularly if you’re eating protein that has high quality usability, which is determined by the protein’s balance of amino acids.
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*Sources:
Staying Healthy with Nutrition (Elson M. Haas, MD)
Optimum Nutrition for the Mind (Patrick Holford)
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