Amino Acids

Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein - the components that make up protein. In your diet they are important because without consumption of complete proteins some or sometimes much of the nutritive value of protein is lost. Therefore it is important that your diet include complete proteins - meaning all amino acids. This is possible through food combinations. Classic examples are wheat and dairy, corn and beans - each possess amino acids that the other do not, or do in small quantities - and together they provide maximum protein nutrition. Diet for a Small Planet is the classic cookbook discussing diets with complete proteins.

Cysteine, glycine and glutamine are especially important for vision because they help build glutathione - which is essential for eye and overall health while taurine helps remove waste from the retina.

• Glutamine supports cellular energy and is one of the glutathione precursors.
• Cysteine, another glutathione precursor, supports lens and retinal health.
• Glycine, the third primary glutathione precursor, acts as a neurotransmitter.
• Taurine is used in the retina as an antioxidant and helps protect the optic nerve from damage.
• L-arginine is a nitric oxide precursor which supports blood flow and which the body uses to build protein.
• L-methionine assists in removing toxins and heavy metal wastes; supports synthesis of cysteine and taurine.

Amino Acid News

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