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All about Amino Acids

Amino acids are the molecules, combined to form proteins. Amino acids along with proteins are the building blocks of life.

When proteins are broken down, amino acids are left. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins to help the body in various ways like breaking down food, grow, repair body tissue, perform many other body functions, healthy hair and skin, and used as a source of energy by the body.

According to Dermatology Important amino acids required are: Arginine, Histidine, Methionine, Lysine, Proline, Leucine, and Glycine.

Role of different essential amino acids:

Arginine: promotes the repair of noticeable skin damage.

Histidine: antioxidant that soothes the skin.

Methionine: prevents the skin from potentially harmful toxins.

Lysine: serves to enhance the skin's surface.

Proline, leucine, and glycine: reduce the depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

Micronutrients included:

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A is a class of nutritious chemical substances that are unsaturated. Its derivatives, such as retinoids and carotenoids, play a significant role in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and death, including skin cells.

Retinoids are typically present in animal products, whereas provitamin A carotenoids, such as -carotene, are mostly found in plant items. While carotenoids are regarded to be advantageous owing to their role as antioxidants, carotenoids must be transformed firstly into retinoid forms in order to fulfill physiological functions in the skin. The deficiency of vitamin A is associated with slower wound healing.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C inhibits the generation of free radicals caused by UV irradiation, protecting cells from oxidative stress. It reduces the effects of UV irradiation on the skin. Promotes the healing of cutaneous wounds and also improves skin hydration by increasing epidermal moisture content.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D enhances innate immunity by stimulating the synthesis of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides. Inflammation, angiogenesis, and wound healing are all influenced.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E reduces lipid peroxidation. Photoaging and photocarcinogenesis are both slowed. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Zinc:

Zinc defends against photodamage. It has antibacterial properties.

Copper:

Copper acts as an antioxidant. Collagen maturation is stimulated and also melanin synthesis is influenced.

Selenium:

Selenium protects the skin from the oxidative damage caused by UV exposure. Effective in the prevention and treatment of psoriasis.

According to Gynecologist Important amino acids required are: Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine + cysteine, phenylalanine + tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine

Role of amino acids:

The above-mentioned amino acids are very vital to consume during pregnancy since they are not synthesized by the human body and are essential for normal wear and tear, along with smooth functioning and growth. Because pregnancy is a highly responsible time, it is crucial to ensure that the fetus receives all of the necessary nutrients for its well-being, growth, and development.

Pregnancy adds to the already complicated amino acid metabolism. Protein is required in large quantities for blood volume expansion and maternal tissue development. Protein requirements are also placed on the pregnant lady by the growth of the fetus and placenta. As a result, extra protein is required to maintain a viable pregnancy.

Protein shortage is difficult to assess due to protein's dynamic and complicated metabolism, as well as the fact that protein deficit is commonly accompanied by deficiencies in other nutrients and energy. Protein shortage is characterized by poor development, muscular weakness, poor hair growth, and low serum albumin, which causes edema.

Micronutrients included:

Folate:

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that can be found in leafy green vegetables, yeast extract, and citrus fruits. It is required for the production of DNA and neurotransmitters also involved in amino acid metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell multiplication.

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin generated from retinoids or provitamin carotenoids. During pregnancy, extra vitamin A is required to promote the fetus's development and tissue maintenance. It also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to maintain excellent health.

Calcium:

Calcium is an important nutrient for bone mineralization as well as an important intracellular component in cell membrane maintenance also. It is actively transferred through the placenta during pregnancy, and maternal calcium needs to rise and can absorption and utilization improve naturally during pregnancy due to physiological changes.

Iron:

Iron is required for the manufacture of hemoglobin and myoglobin, as well as other cellular processes such as oxygen transport, respiration, growth, gene control, and the appropriate function of iron-dependent enzymes. Insufficiency of iron is still one of the most common single nutritional deficits in the world which impacts over two billion people, including 30% of pregnant women in the developed world. Prevents maternal anemia, puerperal sepsis, LBW, and premature delivery (30–60 mg/day).

According to the Pediatrician, Important amino acids required are: Phenylalanine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine combined, and isoleucine, leucine, and valine

Role of amino acids:

The need for phenylalanine, tyrosine, and isoleucine for protein synthesis in growing children was investigated. The relevance of this intake, defined as sufficient intake, is highlighted, as is the distinction between sufficient intake and demand. According to our findings, adequate consumption of isoleucine, leucine, and valine is lower than in previous research on the subject.

Micronutrients included:

Calcium:

Calcium requirements are determined by bone mass growth. Calcium is found mostly in milk, cheese, yogurt, and vegetables. Rickets is caused by a calcium shortage in pre-adolescence. The sufficient consumption is 280 mg/day during the 6–12 month interval; during the second year, the population's recommended intake climbs to 450 mg/day.

Phosphorus:

Phosphorus is found in a variety of foods, like cereals, wholemeal flours, eggs, legumes, fish, milk, cheeses, meat, etc. As phosphorus is widely distributed in diet, deficits caused by inadequate food consumption are very uncommon. Inadequate consumption can impair development and produce rickets. From 6 to 12 months, the AI of phosphorus is 160 mg/day, whereas, in toddlers, the population-recommended intake is up to 250 mg/day.

Iodine:

Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. Early childhood deficits might result in goiter and hypothyroidism. The majority of the foods are iodine deficient, however, fortification allows them to meet the age-appropriate consumption limit of 90 g/day.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption and the formation of bone tissue. Because its receptor is expressed in a variety of cells, vitamin D plays a function in a variety of nonskeletal pathways. A number of studies have found a link between blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] levels and chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, and neoplastic disorders. In this stage of life, however, vitamin D supplementation is not suggested for the prevention and treatment of chronic nonskeletal illnesses.

Other micronutrients: the vitamins and minerals are essential: a shortage of even one of them can have serious implications, affecting growth, delaying maturation, or causing deficiency disorders such as rickets, scorbutus, and cretinism. Every age group has unique dietary requirements. During the first six months of life, growth is fast, and breast milk, while containing relatively little concentrations of various macro and micronutrients, is able to meet growth and development needs optimally. Weaning raises the danger of an imbalanced diet, and pediatricians should provide help to the family at this time. From pre-school until puberty, growth is continuous.

[There is no such research that suggests avoiding any micronutrient along with any certain amino acids, there is no specific research or recommendation to consciously exclude the intake and consumption of micronutrients on the nutrient level.]

Reference:

doi: 10.1093/ajcn/33.2.279

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