What are amino acids?

There are 20 identifiable amino acids, simple organic compounds, found in your body. These compounds act as the building blocks that make up proteins which are found in muscle and other tissues. The human body is comprised of individual cells, many of which consist of amino acids. They play a role in giving the cells structure and are involved in storing and transporting nutrients. Amino acids also affect the functioning of organs, tendons, arteries, and glands and are also vital to healing damaged tissues.

You are probably familiar with the term “essential amino acids”. These are a subset of nine amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and therefore, must be consumed in your diet. The list includes: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Essential amino acids are critical to every metabolic process in our bodies. Because the majority of health problems, from insomnia to obesity to arthritis can be traced back to metabolic issues, getting enough essential amino acids in your diet is vital.

The role of essential amino acids

What are some of the bodily functions that are assisted by this group of nine amino acids? We’ll start with histidine which is necessary for growth and repair of all tissues and plays an important role in creating the protective sheath around your nerves. It also aids in removing excess iron and other heavy metals from the body along with being a helpful tool in decreasing indigestion and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Next up is lysine, an amino acid that helps the body absorb calcium, making it critical to bone and muscle growth as well as converting fat into energy. In addition, there are cardiovascular benefits like helping to maintain healthy blood vessels. Then there’s phenylalanine which increases the level of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, all neurotransmitters that help elevate mood and assist in the operation of the nervous system in general. As if that wasn’t enough, phenylalanine also aids in the absorption of the sun’s UV rays which, in turn, are used in the production of vitamin D.

Suffice it to say, without extolling the virtue of all nine essential amino acids, they play an enormous part in your overall health and sense of well-being.

Are you getting enough through diet alone?

The more research that is conducted into the importance of essential amino acids, the more experts agree that many of us are simply not getting a sufficient amount through diet alone. Some signs that this may be happening to you are a reduction in energy and metabolism, hair or skin loss, digestive problems, insomnia, obesity, and a feeling of increased stress.

Supplementing with a whey protein isolate is an excellent way to add much needed nutrients to your diet. FlexFitPro contains all nine essential amino acids plus a large number of nonessential ones as well. It is low carb, low fat, low calorie, and can provide the boost you need to help reach your optimum health.