Amino acids are critical for life and health. They make up proteins found in every tissue of the body and play a major role in nearly every body process.
Amino Support is a complete amino acid product manufactured using free-form amino acids. These free-form amino acids are synthesized, not derived from animal or protein sources. This product is flavored with a natural wild cherry flavor which masks the usually unpleasant taste normally associated with amino acid products.
Amino Support was formulated by Jon Pangborn, Ph. D. using a weighted average of human laboratory results based on human needs for amino acids as published by the US Research Council (Recommended Dietary Allowances, 10th ed, National Academy Press, 1989).
Our intestinal tract is a tunnel through the body, in which food is digested and to which wastes are added by the liver. In the lower part of the intestinal tract, a vast population of microorganisms works to further process these wastes, sometimes into useful things like vitamins. Meanwhile, in the upper part of this tunnel, foods are being broken down into basic components. Only the basic components are allowed to pass through the tunnel wall into our bodies. The mucosal tissue that lines the intestinal tunnel controls this passage-- as long as it remains healthy.
One of the digestive processes that begins in the stomach is digestion of food protein. In the stomach, proteins are broken into fragments called peptides-- chains of amino acids from two to perhaps a hundred or more amino acids. These dietary peptides are then further digested in the small intestine to form individual amino acids. An amino acid is one of those basic food components that the intestinal mucosa welcomes into the body; proteins and most peptides are not supposed to be allowed in. The objective of protein digestion is to break down giant, complex chains of amino acids into individual, free-form amino acids. Inside the body, organs and tissues reassemble these amino acids into body proteins. Muscles, skin, hair, bone, the heart and other organs contain protein that is needed for structure and function. Besides being used for building materials, amino acids form components of the immune system, act as hormones (often when bound together as human peptides), operate tissue cleanup systems (detoxification), and form enzymes, which are catalysts for operating the body's biochemistry.
Components of Kirkmans Amino Support are as follows:
Taurine: Helps form bile, spares magnesium in cells and in the body, helps support glutamate/GABA neurotransmitter activity, and neutralizes the oxidant called "hypochlorite". Taurine is present in human milk, but not in cows milk.
Lysine: A nutritionally essential amino acid that is the anchor for vitamin B6 in enzymes that process the amino or nitrogen part of amino acids. Lysine is present in meat, fish and poultry protein.
Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine: Essential "branched chain" amino acids that are important for formation of flexible, structural tissue such as skin. All protein foods contain these amino acids.
Methionine: The essential precursor of cysteine, taurine and S-adenosylmethionine, "SAM". This amino acid accounts for most of the body's "methylation". It provides sulfur that may eventually be used for sulfation but it needs vitamins B6, B12, and folate to be properly utilized. Organ meats, poultry, milk, and beef are rich in methionine.
Glutamine: Nonessential, but the major nitrogen carrying amino acid in the animal kingdom. Glutamine makes vitamin B3 work and it nourishes gut mucosal cells. All animal protein is rich in glutamine.
Threonine: An essential amino acid that is the precursor of glycine and serine. It is the slowest amino acid to cross the intestinal mucosa and is typically low in malabsorption. Threonine is one of only a few amino acids that allow sugars to bond to proteins or peptides, examples of which are immunoglobulins, interferon, and cell-to-cell recognition molecules. Threonine is found in the same foods as lysine.
Phenylalanine: Another essential amino acid, and the precursor to tyrosine which forms adrenal hormones called catecholamines.
Tyrosine: Nonessential (comes from phenylalanine and directly from dietary protein). Tyrosine becomes "dopa", dopamine, noradrenalin, part of thyroglobulin (the part that attaches iodine), and it helps form melanin, a pigment or coloring substance in body tissues. Dairy products, fish and soy contain lots of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
Arginine: Sometimes essential in infants and young children, and "semiessential" throughout life. Our bodies make some but not enough, and diet provides the rest. It helps support immune function, helps form creatine (for muscle metabolism), and forms urea. Seeds, nuts, buckwheat, lamb, beef and soy are rich in arginine.
Asparagine: Nonessential, but the major nitrogen-carrying amino acid in the plant kingdom. Often a limiting amino acid for leukocyte and lymphocyte growth. Asparagine (like threonine), allows sugars to bond to proteins forming structures required for immune response and regulation.
Proline: Not essential, but very necessary for formation of connective tissues, such as ligaments, skin, and the intestinal mucosa. Wheat germ, barley, soy, dairy and fish are rich in proline.
Alpha-ketoglutaric acid: Not an amino acid but an organic acid, "A-KG" balances
nitrogen levels in body tissues. AKG is necessary for cellular energy processes.
Most individuals tolerate amino acid supplements very well and they can derive remarkable benefits. Amino acids help support immune function, build enzymes, support the body's cleanup processes and allow tissue growth.
J. Pangborn, Ph,D.
Consultant to Kirkman Laboratories
