Jeff’s Healthy Living Blog

From K. Perry, special to JeffsHealthyLiving.com

Amino acid supplements and amino acid food intake can bring various health benefits to those seeking wellness of mind and body.

Amino acids found in amino acid supplements are utilized by every cell in the human body and play a part in many important functions. Valuable amino acids are usually obtained through amino acid food intake, in particular high protein foods, and can also be obtained through amino acid supplements.

Sources of amino acid food, aside from amino acid supplements, include all types of meat as well as eggs, cheese and milk. The amino acids in amino acid food have a profound effect on muscles, nails, hair, skin and body organs.

A lack of amino acid food, while not common, can lead to deficiency and compromised health. Poor muscle strength and general fatigue could be signs of a lack of amino acid food or amino acid supplements. Excessively dry skin, or outbreaks of acne are sometimes a result of a lack of amino acid food and amino acid supplements. Amino acid food deficiency is often remedied with amino acid supplements and increased amino acid food intake.

Because amino acids are responsible for building and repairing various body parts, including amino acid supplements in the diet makes sense to many people. Amino acid supplements contain ingredients which are essential to certain body functions.

In total, amino acid supplements contain eight essential amino acids, as well as fourteen non-essential amino acids. As the body does not manufacture the essential amino acids, amino acid supplements or amino acid food is necessary for requiring them and maintaining good health. Insufficient protein intake due to minimal amino acid foods or amino acid supplements can lead to a decrease in muscle strength and size.

Another benefit of amino acid supplements is its ability to replenish the waning acid supply in the body. Studies show that amino acid supplements can aid the growth of lean mass with no ill effects on present muscle mass. Reduced body fat and increased endurance is another benefit of amino acid supplements experienced by many athletes. Minimal time spent recovering after extreme training, as well as long lasting energy, are results indicated by research on amino acid supplements.

Those involved with bodybuilding may need higher levels of protein or amino acid supplements, as physical activity has definite effects on protein metabolism. Recent studies indicate that amino acid supplements can increase muscular development, particularly when involved with heavy resistance training.

Another area where amino acid supplements have proven beneficial is in treating Alzheimer’s disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Amino acid supplements and amino acid food aids those with bronchitis, depression and even diabetes. Many emphysema and high blood pressure sufferers have favorable reports regarding amino acid supplements and amino acid food. Enhanced fitness can be achieved with amino acid supplements because through amino acid supplements the body’s protein needs are met and balanced.

Ongoing research shows that while taking amino acid supplements an increase of insulin levels occurs during meals, which leads to easier absorption of amino acid food. Because the secretion of growth hormone is stimulated by amino acid supplements the body’s nitrogen requirements can be easily met by taking amino acid supplements.

Research on amino acid supplements show that athletes achieve muscular strength much quicker and experience less physical exhaustion while taking amino acid supplements or amino acid food. Essentially amino acid supplements are extremely useful to those involved with physical training and amino acid supplements will benefit anyone wanting to ensure a balanced diet.

Copyright 2005 Health-Focus
Providing Resources on Health and Nutrition

More on Amino Acid Supplements

From Oktay Ozadam, special to JeffsHealthyLiving.com
Getting enough zinc can wonders in numerous health conditions. Zinc activates white blood cells to fight infections. It helps protect the body against viruses. Men need zinc for sperm production and to keep the prostate gland healthy. Zinc helps the pancreas make insulin and keep normal sugar levels.
Zinc is essential for good memory. Zinc supplements even help teenagers get better grades in school.
How important is zinc? Zinc is present in every cell in the body. It is a component of over 200 enzymes. There are high amounts of zinc in red blood cells, white blood cells, your bones, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and retina. Men have high concentrations of zinc in the prostate gland. Every cell in the body needs zinc to divide and replace itself when the body makes new tissues.
Here are two lists. One is a list of conditions that can occur when the body does not get enough zinc. The second is a list of conditions that improve due to the benefits of zinc supplements.
Not getting enough zinc can chronic fatigue, dermatitis, diarrhea, hypothyroidism, female infertility, impaired platelet aggregation, insulin resistance, and loss of taste or smell. It can cause reduced resistance to infection, night blindness, poor appetite, poor memory, attention deficit disorder, and reduced learning ability, and it can cause slower growth in children, slow healing of wounds, and infertility in men. Add to this list Acrodermatitis enteropathica, Alopecia, atrophy of the testes, bone loss and osteoporosis, decreased sperm count, decreased sperm motility, delayed puberty, nerve cell problems in Alzheimer’s disease and Down’s syndrome, and ringing in the ears.
Among the benefits of zinc supplement is improved immune function. Other benefits of zinc supplements are adding calcium to bones and teeth, lowering blood sugars, helping interferon work in treating hepatitis C, clearing up bacterial prostatitis, and recharging the male sex drive. They can help recovery in brain injury, improve brain function, restore night vision, increase sperm count, and stimulate the libido.
Extra zinc can help bring out weight gain in anorexia nervosa and help children with sickle cell disease. It can even cure bad breath.
Who needs the benefits of zinc supplements? You might be surprised. The United Nations University found that 20%25 of people worldwide are deficient in zinc. Zinc in supplements is needed to prevent childhood infections and diarrhea and to support normal growth and development.
Think you’re safe if you eat a good diet? Think again. Scores of modern medications deplete the body’s stores of zinc. Any women who takes the Pill or hormone replacement therapy or medication to prevent osteoporosis is at risk for nutritional deficiency and may need zinc supplements. Heart patients, diabetics, and epileptics also need zinc supplements.
Even some supplements increase the body’s need for zinc. Calcium supplements, magnesium supplements, and whey all can interfere with the absorption of zinc. Never take zinc at the same time you take these supplements, and always be sure you are getting enough of the benefits of zinc supplements if you take any supplements for bone health or muscle health.
What about side effects of zinc supplements?
If you take too much zinc, your body will have difficulty absorbing copper. It’s OK to take up to 20 mg every 2 hours for as long as 2 weeks to fight a cold, but for everyday nutrition limit your intake to 15 mg a day. Zinc supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but only if you take about a gram–over 60 times the recommended dose.
How can you tell if you are taking too much zinc?
Here is a simple test. Overdoses of zinc numb your taste buds to bitter flavor and metallic aftertastes. Zinc has a metallic taste. If you can’t taste zinc, you don’t need to take it! The benefits of zinc supplements are yours with just a small, regular dose.

Oktay Özadam is the editor for nutritional health supplements where you will find all the information you need on nutritional supplements, how they can benefit your health, and how to choose your supplements wisely.