Interpretive Guide for Amino Acids
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Interpretive Guide for Amino Acids Intervention Options LOW HIGH Essential Amino Acids Arginine (Arg) Arg Mn Histidine (His) Folate, His Isoleucine (Ile) * B6, Check for insulin insensitivity Leucine (Leu) * B6, Check for insulin insensitivity Lysine (Lys) Carnitine Vitamin C, Niacin, B6, Iron, a-KG Methionine(Met) * B6, á-KG, Mg, SAM Phenylalanine (Phe) * Iron,VitaminC,Niacin,LowPhediet Threonine(Thr) * B6, Zn Tryptophan(Trp) Trpor5-HTP Niacin, B6 Valine (Val) * B6, Check for insulin insensitivity Essential Amino Acid Derivatives Neuroendocrine Metabolism y-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) a-KG, B6 Glycine (Gly) Gly Folate, B6,B2,B5 Serine (Ser) B6, Mn, Folate * Taurine (Tau) Tau, B6 Vit. E, Vit. C, B-Carotene, CoQ10, Lipoate Tyrosine(Tyr) Iron,Tyr,VitaminC,Niacin Cu, Iron, Vitamin C, B6 Ammonia/Energy Metabolism a-Aminoadipic Acid B6, a-KG Asparagine (Asn) Mg Aspartic Acid (Asp) a-KG, B6 Mg, Zn Citrulline (Cit) Mg, Aspartic acid Glutamic Acid (Glu) B6, a-KG Niacin, B6 Glutamine (Gln) a-KG, B6 Ornithine (Orn) Arg Mg, a-KG, B6 Sulfur Metabolism Cystine (Cys) NAC B2 Cystathionine B6 Homocystine (HCys) B6, Folate, B12, Betaine Additional Metabolites a-Amino-N-Butyric Acid a-KG, B6 B6, a-KG Alanine (Ala) * B6 Anserine Zn n-Alanine Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, B6 n-Aminoisobutyric Acid B6 Carnosine Zn Ethanolamine Mg Hydroxylysine (HLys) Vitamin C, Iron, a-KG Hydroxyproline (HPro) Vitamin C, Iron, a-KG 1-Methylhistidine Vitamin E, B12, Folate 3-Methylhistidine BCAAs, Vit. E, Vit. C, n-Carotene, CoQ10, Lipoate Phosphoethanolamine (PE) SAM, B12, Folate, Betaine Phosphoserine Mg Proline (Pro) a-KG Vitamin C, Niacin Sarcosine B2 * Use balanced or custom mixtures of essential amino acids Nordic Laboratiroes∙ Nygade 6, 3.sal ∙ 1164 Copenhagen K ∙ DenmarkTel: +45 33 75 1000 ∙ e-mail: [email protected] In association with ©Metametrix, Inc. All rights reserved Interpretive Guide for Amino Acids 2 Essential Amino Acids rich protein or inefficient metabolism. convert to succinate for use in the Krebs If other sulfur-containing AAs are low, (citric acid) cycle for energy generation. A r g i n i n e then enhance methionine utilization by Cofactors here are a-KG and vitamin B6. Low - often reflects a diet poor in high adding the necessary cofactors, quality protein, causing arginine to be magnesium and vitamin B6. G l y c i n e poorly absorbed. Because arginine is Low - possible generalized tissue loss, required for nitric oxide production, Phenylalanine glycine being part of the nitrogen pool deficiencies have wide-ranging effects Low - can result in altered thyroid and important in gluconeogenesis. on cardiovascular and other systems. function and catecholamine deficits Supplement glycine. High - may indicate a functional block including symptoms of depression, High - supplement vitamin B5, folic in the urea cycle. Manganese activates cognitive disorders, memory loss, acid, and vitamins B6, and B2 for the an arginase enzyme, so supplementing fatigue, and autonomic dysfunction. efficient metabolism of glycine to with manganese may help. Reduce lifestyle stressors and pyruvic acid for oxidation and for supplement phenylalanine. glutathione synthesis or H i s t i d i n e High - high protein intake or a block in gluconeogenesis. Low - check dietary protein, or malab- the conversion of phenylalanine to sorption if other essential AAs are low. tyrosine. Iron, vitamin C, and niacin are S e r i n e Low histidine is associated with necessary for this enzymatic step. Check Low - can lead to disordered rheumatoid arthritis, folate deficiency, tyrosine level and, if low, supplement methionine metabolism and deficits in and/or salicylate/steroid use. tyrosine and iron. acetylcholine synthesis. If simultaneous High - may indicate excessive protein high threonine or phosphoserine, then intake. If high 3-Methylhistidine, T h r e o n i n e need for vitamin B6, folate, and muscle protein breakdown is indicated. Low - can result in hypoglycemic manganese is indicated. symptoms, particularly if glycine High - when accompanied by low I s o l e u c i n e or serine is also low. Supplement threonine, indicates glucogenic Low - a chronic deficiency of this AA threonine/BCAAs. compensation and catabolism. can cause hypoglycemia and related High - excessive dietary intake or Supplement threonine and BCAAs. problems and loss of muscle mass or possible insufficient metabolism of inability to build muscle. threonine. The initial step here requires T a u r i n e High - large intake of this AA or (vitamin B6) and zinc is needed to Low - may increase risk for oxidative incomplete metabolism of it. If other phosphorylate vitamin B6 to its active stress, fat maldigestion, high cholesterol, BCAAs are high, add vitamin B6 to aid coenzyme form, so supplementation atherosclerosis, angina, arrythmias, and metabolism. with vitamin B6 and zinc can be helpful. seizure disorders. Supplement taurine or cysteine and vitamin B6, even if fresh L e u c i n e T r y p t o p h a n fish or lean meat is eaten. Females do not Low - potential catabolism of skeletal Low - commonly correlated with synthesize taurine as easily as males. muscle. Check 3-Methylhistidine to depression, insomnia, and schizophrenia. High - may be due to excessive confirm this. Supplementation with 5- inflammation in the body or to High - large intake of this AA or Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) may help. 5- supplementation of other amino acids. incomplete metabolism of it. If other HTP is one enzymatic step away from BCAAs are high, add vitamin B6 to aid serotonin. T y r o s i n e metabolism. High - possibly inadequate metabolism of Low - implicated in depression, tryptophan. Required nutrients for this hypothyroidism, and blood pressure L y s i n e process include niacin and vitamin B6. disorders. If phenylalanine is normal or Low - either poor dietary intake or too high (barring PKU), iron, vitamin C, and high intake of arginine. Low levels can V a l i n e niacin supplementation might be inhibit transamination of AA collagen Low - deficiency in this or other BCAAs indicated to help convert phenylalanine synthesis. If concurrent weakness or indicates potential muscle loss. If several to tyrosine. high triglycerides, add carnitine. High - essential AAs are low, check for adequate High - inadequate utilization of impaired metabolism of lysine. Add stomach acid. Supplement the BCAAs. tyrosine. Supplement the cofactors vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6, a- High - excessive intake or vitamin B6 needed here including iron, copper, ketoglutarate and iron to enhance functional deficit. If other BCAAs are vitamin B6, and ascorbate. utilization of lysine. high, vitamin B6 should be given. Ammonia/Energy Metabolism M e t h i o n i n e Essential Amino Acid Low - possible poor-quality protein diet. Derivatives Neuroendocrine a -Aminoadipic acid Adverse effects on sulfur metabolism. Metabolism High - possible inhibition of lysine Improve dietary methionine intake or metabolism and lowered amine group supplement. (GABA) Gamma-aminobutyric acid transfer in the tissues. Supplement High - excessive intake of methionine- High - may reflect decreased ability to vitamin B6 and a-KG to facilitate the Interpretive Guide for Amino Acids 3 transamination conversion of á- High - a possible metabolic block in for energy can lead to muscle wasting. aminoadipic to á-ketoadipic acid. urea cycle, causing excess ammonia Supplement the branched-chain amino burden. Confirm by checking for high acids. A s p a r a g i n e glutamine, low glutamic acid. Low - can reflect functional need for A n s e r i n e magnesium in the conversion from Sulfur Metabolism High - high dietary intake of poultry can aspartic acid. contribute to elevate anserine. Zinc is High - Can indicate problems with C y s t i n e required for the normal conversion to ß- purine (therefore protein) synthesis. Low - possible dietary deficiency of alanine plus 1-methylhistidine methionine and/or cystine. Low cystine Aspartic Acid can impair taurine synthesis. ß - A l a n i n e Low - inhibits ammonia detoxification in High - excessive dietary intake or High - possible bowel toxicity due to ß- the urea cycle. Can be converted to impaired cystine metabolism. Converted to alanine production by intestinal bacteria oxaloactetate using B6 and á-KG and thus cysteine (reduced cystine) via a B2 and and/or Candida albicans. Possible cause enter the Krebs cycle. Low levels can copper-dependent step. Cystine is a major for food sensitivity reactions when reflect decreased cellular energy component of tissue antioxidant combined with low taurine and high 3- generation, seen as fatigue. Citric and mechanisms. methylhistidine, carnosine and/or aspartic acids can drive the Krebs (citric anserine, due to impaired renal tubular acid) cycle, when combined with B6 and á- Cystathionine resorption. Supplement B6 (to facilitate KG. High - possible B6 functional deficit as B6 amine group transfer). Bowel detox or High - sometimes seen in epilepsy and or P-5-P is required for the conversion of high potency Lactobacillus acidophilus stroke. Magnesium and zinc may cystathionine to cysteine. Hence low and Bifidobacteria can help with gut counteract high aspartic add levels. cysteine can result. dysbiosis. C i t r u l l i n e Homocystine ß-Aminoisobutyric acid High - can indicate a functional enzyme High - increased risk for atherosclerosis High - indicates lack of a transaminase block in the urea cycle, leading to an and abnormalities in the ocular, enzyme needed to metabolize this ammonia buildup. Supplement neurological and musculo-skeletal substance in the presence of á-KG, an magnesium and aspartic add to drive the systems. The enzyme that converts apparently benign phenomenon, seen in cycle. Lower protein intake is suggested homocysteine (reduced homocystine) to kwashiorkor (chronic protein in ammonia toxicities. cystathionine is B6 dependent; deficiency). remethylation of homocysteine to Glutamic Acid methionine requires B12, folate and C a r n o s i n e Low - can suggest mild hyper- betaine.