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Amino Acids: The Powerful Proteins
By Jared M. Skowron, N.D.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, thus the building blocks of our body. Practically every part of the body is composed of some type of amino acid, including our hormones, neurotransmitters, immune antibodies, energy as ATP, cellular transporters, and carriers for minerals, such as iron. We have the ability to influence which molecules are made by amino acids we eat or take as a part of our supplement regimen. As I tell my patients, “If there’s only bread and peanut butter in the fridge, you’re going to make peanut butter sandwiches.” Our bodies can only manufacture hormones and neurotransmitters based on the raw materials they are given. The good news is we can affect which molecules are made, changing how we feel! As a cornerstone of chronic disease treatments, amino acids are the most essential nutrients to maintaining health and should be a part of daily life for all.

WHY ARE AMINO ACIDS SO IMPORTANT?

As small molecules, they are linked together with other amino acids. When only a few amino acids are linked together, they are called peptides; while larger ones (hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands long) are called proteins. These protein chains fold into complex structures, which carry minerals and interact with other cells. Certain proteins are neurotransmitters, affecting how we think and feel emotionally; other proteins become hormones, affecting our metabolism and mood; others make up the antibodies of our immune system, attaching to bacteria; and still others aid in metabolizing toxins for removal from our body. The amino acid you choose will determine which molecule is created by the body.

THE BRAKES

Certain amino acids create molecules that act as the brakes of the body. Is your nervous system going too fast? Are you experiencing too may thoughts, are you hypersensitive, or unable to sleep, listen to others, or focus? All are possible signs that you may need to apply the brakes to the nervous system. The major amino acids which slow down the nervous system are 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), Theanine, Taurine, and GABA. 5-HTP creates serotonin, a mood elevator. Those taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) hold on to serotonin more efficiently; however, the only way to create more serotonin is through amino acid therapy. Theanine is used to create GABA and in anti-anxiety therapy due to its support of the nervous system. Theanine works more efficiently in the brain and central nervous system, while GABA, which cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, reduces the speed of information coming from the outside world. Those with hypersensitivities to touch, sounds, sights, tastes, and smells can reduce excess sensations with GABA, better affecting the peripheral nervous system.

THE ACCELERATORS

Certain amino acids create molecules that act as accelerators in the body. Does it feel as if your body or metabolism is going too slowly? Does your brain feel it is working sluggishly or is your mood apathetic? These may be signs of tyrosine and phenylalanine deficiencies and that supplementation might be beneficial. The amino acid tyrosine creates thyroid hormone and increases metabolism. It also creates dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which increases the speed of the nervous system and may elevate mood. Phenylalanine has both those latter actions as well.

THE HEALERS

Other amino acids repair the body, mend leaky membranes, and dissolve mucus build-up. Glutamine is an amazing amino acid for tissue repair. The top therapy for ulcers, leaky gut, and other gastrointestinal inflammation, glutamine is one of my key therapies for anyone with chronic disease. It’s best used in a high dose, 2,000 mg two or three times a day and easily taken as a powder. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is used as a mucolytic. Congestion or clogged sinuses or ear canals can be cleared with NAC. Those who take high doses may notice they develop a sulphury body smell. Know that it is from the NAC and treatment should be continued.

THE ESSENTIALS

Certain amino acids are termed “essential,” because they must be acquired through our diet, from which the body forms other aminos and proteins. Those who do not eat a sufficient amount of protein, are taking acid reducers or blockers, or have had stomach surgeries can be systemically deficient in proteins. These essential amino acids should be taken in a certain ratio, which matches how they are found in foods.

For some, individual amino acid therapies work well, for others certain combinations are more effective. I use Metabolic Maintenance’s B.A.M. (Balanced Amino Maintenance) , a basic protein supplement that provides a comprehensive and complementary amino acid profile. My patients prefer Anxiety Control and Spectrum Awakening from Metabolic Maintenance as combination therapies. When using amino acids as a therapy, they are more effective when taken an hour or two before a meal, since a high amino ratio (rather than a balanced ratio) in the blood stream is more effective.

Proteins are a necessary part of the food chain, and different protein forms have different effects on each and every cell of our body. Amino acids are extremely powerful when used correctly, and should be used in conjunction with healthy protein, lean meats, fish, beans, and nuts in your diet.

About the author
Dr. Jared M. Skowron, N.D., maintains a private practice in Hamden, CT, where he specializes in reversing adult chronic disease and autism. He is a professor at the University of Bridgeport, teaching clinical diagnosis, Eyes Ears Nose Throat, and pediatrics. He is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine and Holy Cross, and a member of MENSA. He is the Senior Naturopathic Physician with Metabolic Maintenance Products. He may be reached at (800)772-7873.