TYROSINE

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid the body makes from another amino acid called
phenylalanine. It is an essential component for the production of several important brain
chemicals called neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Neurotransmitters help nerve cells communicate and influence mood. Tyrosine also helps
produce melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and skin color. It helps in the function of
organs responsible for making and regulating hormones, including the adrenal, thyroid, and
pituitary glands. It is involved in the structure of almost every protein in the body.
It's rare to be deficient in tyrosine. Low levels have been associated with low blood
pressure, low body temperature, and an underactive thyroid. This does not mean, however, that
taking tyrosine supplements will help any of these conditions.
Thyroid hormones are primarily derived from the amino acid tyrosine with the
incorporation of iodine atoms
Thyroid hormones are secreted by the thyroid gland and comprise of two hormones
Thyroxine (T4) and Triidothyronine (T3). The primary function of these hormones is to regulate
the basal metabolic rate and affect almost all the cells of the body. In addition, these hormones
are involved in protein synthesis, they regulate the growth of long bones, etc. They play a critical
role in the process of cell differentiation and development. These hormones regulate
carbohydrate, fat, protein and vitamin metabolism and thereby control the way in which human
cells produce energy and use it for the various cellular functions. They also enhance the
sensitivity of the body to Catecholamines
Catecholamines which include neurotransmitter hormones - epinephrine and nor
epinephrine are also derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine
Catecholamines are also referred to as ‘Fight or Flight’ hormones which are released by
the adrenal glands in response to stressful situations. Epinephrine and Nor epinephrine are the
two basic forms of these hormones which act as neuromodulators in the central nervous system.

High levels of these hormones in the blood, is the consequence to stress, results in physiological
changes which include: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increase in blood glucose
levels and general fight or flight response of the body. They have a relatively short half life of
about a few minutes in the body and tend to degenerate very easily.
TRYPTOPHAN
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and is needed to maintain optimum
health. Tryptophan must be obtained from the diet. The unusual indole side chain
of tryptophan is also the nucleus of the important neurotransmitter serotonin, which
is biosynthesized from tryptophan. The aromatic portion of tryptophan also serves as an
ultraviolet marker for detection of this amino acid either separately, or incorporated
into proteins and enzymes, via ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Tryptophan is incorporated into
proteins and enzymes at the molar rate of 1.1 percent compared to other amino acids, making it
the rarest amino acid found in proteins.
 Tryptophan is required for the production of niacin (vitamin B3). It is used by the human
body to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is important for normal nerve and brain
function. Serotonin is important in sleep, stabilizing emotional moods, pain control,
inflammation, intestinal peristalsis, etc.

Serotonin and melatonin are derived from the amino acid Tryptophan

Both Serotonin and Melatonin are neurotransmitters. Serotonin plays an important role in
sleep regulation, sensory perception, noise sensitivity, light sensitivity, moods and body
temperature. On the other hand, melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating the circadian
rhythms and a host of other biological functions. Altered levels of these hormones are associated
with depression, increased pain sensitivity and insomnia.

It is further important in controlling hyperactivity in children, assists in alleviating stress, helps

with weight loss and reducing appetite. It has been found that people suffering from migraine
headaches have abnormal levels of tryptophan. In this case, supplementation may be helpful.

CYSTEINE
L-cysteine, also abbreviated as C or Cys, is a naturally occurring α-amino acid containing
sulphur. Sulphur is a very important element vital for normal, healthy growth and metabolism.
Since L-cysteine can be synthesised in the human liver it is not classified as an ‘essential’ amino
acid. However, in order to meet our daily body’s requirement for L-cysteine it’s important to
supplement this amino acid through our diet. The concentration of L-cysteine in protein is very
small (approximately 2%), so a varied diet is needed to counteract this shortage.
L-cysteine is produced from an essential amino acid called methionine. Methionine and
cysteine are involved in many vital catalytic reactions that keep our body functioning properly.
Again, our diet plays a critical role in how much of this essential amino acid is available to our
body. As we are unable to produce our own methionine, we must rely on the foods we eat to
maintain a healthy supply. Having a sufficient quantity of methionine available is critical for our
body to produce L-cysteine.
SERINE

Serine is a non-essential amino acid derived from the amino acid glycine. It is important
to overall good health, both physical and mental. Serine is especially important to proper
functioning of the brain and central nervous system.

Serine helps form the phospholipids needed to make every cell in your body. It is also
involved in the function of RNA and DNA, fat and fatty acid metabolism, muscle formation, and
the maintenance of a healthy immune system. The proteins used to form the brain, as well as the
protective myelin sheaths that cover the nerves, contain serine. Without serine, the myelin
sheaths could fray and become less efficient at delivering messages between the brain and nerve
endings in the body, essentially short circuiting mental function.
 Serine is also needed to produce tryptophan, an amino acid that is used to make
serotonin, a mood-determining brain chemical. Both serotonin and tryptophan shortages have
been linked to depression, insomnia, confusion, and anxiety. Research suggests that low levels of
serine may contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM).

Serine helps produce immunoglobulins and antibodies for a strong immune system, and
also aids in the absorption of creatine, a substance made from amino acids that helps build and
maintain all the muscles in the body, including the heart.

In order for serine to be manufactured in the body, sufficient amounts of vitamin

B3 and vitamin B6, and folic acid must be present. Meat and soy foods, dairy products, wheat
gluten, and peanuts are all good natural sources of serine, but today’s Western diet includes so
much processed convenience food—amino acid supplementation may be needed more often than
most people realize.

Serine supplementation is available in capsule, tablet, and powder forms. It can be

purchased as a stand-alone supplement or, more commonly, in combination amino acid
supplements and sports drinks. Serine is a constituent of phospholipids, which help seal in
moisture, so it is also often included as a natural moisturizing agent in many cosmetics and skin
care preparations.
GLYCINE

Amongst the 22 amino acids vital for our body to function and manufacture
proteins, glycine is the smallest and simplest, with only a single hydrogen forming its side chain.
Abbreviated at G or Gly, this amino acid has the chemical formula NH2CH2COOH. It’s the
second most widespread amino acid found in human enzymes and proteins.

Glycine is biosynthesised in the liver from the amino acids, serine and threonine. As a
solid, it’s a sweet tasting crystalline substance and the principle amino acid within cane sugar. In
humans, it’s found in high concentrations within the skin, connective tissues and muscle tissues.

Glycine has several important roles within the body. It’s essential for the production of
many different acids, including nucleic acids, bile acids, creatine phosphate and porphyrins. On a
broader scale, glycineis involved in the regulation and support of many essential processes.

This amino acid is closely associated with the central nervous system and the digestive
system. Glycine helps with the breakdown of fat by regulating the concentration of bile
acids. Glycine is also required for the biosynthesis of heme. Heme is a key component of
haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is essential in the maintenance of red blood cell integrity and
optimal oxygen carrying capacity.

Due to the range of functions performed by glycine, this amino acid has proven to be
important in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, as well as supporting overall well-
being. Some of the benefits of glycine are outlined below.
ALANINE

Alanine is a non-essential amino acid. Alanine can be manufactured in the body from
pyruvate and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs).

Alanine helps balance glucose and nitrogen in the body. One of alanine’s main functions
in the body is a role in the glucose-alanine cycle. When muscles produce lactic acid during times
of decreased oxygen, such as in physical exertion, alanine is also produced. Alanine produced in
this manner is then transported to the liver, where it is used to make glucose that can be stored as
glycogen, which is necessary for energy production (ATP). Alanine is also involved in the
metabolism of the nutrients tyrosine and tryptophan and its production is dependent on the
vitamin pyridoxine (vitamin B6).

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme present in the liver and to a lesser extent in
skeletal muscle that converts alanine into glutamate and pyruvate so that the liver can rid the
body of toxin ammonia. Therefore, increased serum ALT activity can accompany liver injury
and is used as a laboratory test (along with AST) to determine liver health. Weight gain, stress,
alcohol and drug abuse, many prescription and non-prescription drugs (including acetaminophen
or Tylenol), viral infections and environmental toxins can increase serum ALT levels.

Beta-alanine should not be confused with L-alanine. beta-alanine, also known as 3-

aminopropanoic acid, is a naturally occurring amino acid not found in proteins and is a precursor
to the amino acid carnosine.

Alanine can be used as a sweetener for dairy products, such as non-fat and low-fat
fermented milks, yogurt, buttermilk, and cheese