Protein is the essential substance that serves as the material foundation of life and is a necessary condition for normal physiological activities in the human body. The primary component of proteins is amino acids, which include a class of essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that the human body cannot synthesize on its own or synthesize at a rate that meets the body's needs, and therefore must be supplied by dietary protein. Let's take a look at the essential amino acids.
Methionine
Methionine, also known as homocysteine, is primarily involved in the composition of hemoglobin, tissues, and serum. It promotes the function of the spleen, pancreas, and lymph nodes. A deficiency in methionine can lead to decreased appetite, stunted growth or failure to gain weight, kidney enlargement, and liver iron accumulation. Ultimately, it can cause liver necrosis or fibrosis.
Valine
Valine primarily functions in the corpus luteum, mammary glands, and ovaries. When valine is insufficient, the central nervous system is prone to disorders. In patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, valine deficiency can lead to hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, valine and other branched-chain amino acids are commonly used for injection therapy in the treatment of liver failure and other diseases. Additionally, valine can be used as a therapeutic agent to accelerate wound healing.
Lysine
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids in the human body and has significant health and clinical nutritional significance. This is especially true during periods of childhood growth and development, recovery from illness, and pregnancy and lactation. Lysine is often considered an important indicator of the nutritional value of food. A deficiency in lysine can cause developmental abnormalities, decreased appetite, anemia, and poor tooth development, among other physiological dysfunctions. Lysine is primarily used as a nutritional supplement to improve appetite during the recovery phase of childhood nutrition.
Isoleucine
Isoleucine is essential for the growth of adults, children, and infants. A deficiency in isoleucine can lead to skeletal muscle disorders. However, when supplementing with amino acids, isoleucine should be maintained in an appropriate ratio with other amino acids. If the dosage of isoleucine is too high, it can result in nutritional antagonism and cause an imbalance in the consumption burden of other amino acids.
Phenylalanine
After phenylalanine is consumed through food, part of it is used to synthesize proteins, while the rest is transformed into tyrosine by the action of phenylalanine hydroxylase in the liver. Tyrosine can then be further converted into other physiologically active substances, participating in the elimination of kidney and bladder functional impairments.
Leucine
Leucine is one of the eight essential amino acids necessary to maintain the balance of the human body. A deficiency in leucine in infants can lead to idiopathic hyperglycemia. Supplementing with leucine can quickly lower blood sugar levels. Leucine is suitable for liver diseases accompanied by impaired bile secretion, anemia, poisoning, and other conditions. Therefore, leucine can be used as an ingredient in injections and various nutritional supplements.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan promotes the production of gastric and pancreatic juices. It can be converted into serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the human brain, and can improve sleep quality. A deficiency in tryptophan can lead to neurological disorders, hallucinations, and insomnia. Serotonin has vasoconstrictive effects, and the body releases serotonin to stop bleeding after an injury. Tryptophan is commonly used in medicine as an anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, and gastric secretion regulator.
Threonine
Threonine promotes phospholipid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation in the body. It has an anti-fatty liver effect. Threonine and iron chelates have a good anti-anemia effect. Cereal proteins contain a small amount of threonine, and the utilization rate of threonine in dietary protein is extremely low. Therefore, threonine, like lysine, is an important nutritional supplement. A deficiency in threonine can cause decreased appetite, fatty liver, and testicular atrophy. Symptom relief can be achieved by supplementing with threonine.
Histidine
Histidine is an essential amino acid for the growth and development of infants and young children but is not considered essential for adults. Adults can synthesize histidine themselves, but children under 10 years old cannot and must rely on dietary protein for supply. Histidine primarily plays a role in metabolic regulation, reducing gastric acidity, preventing anemia, and alleviating pregnancy-induced vomiting and gastric burning sensation.
