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The  Amino Acid Analysis 40 Plasma  is a blood test  of 40 amino acids measured from a fasting specimen.  A vast array of information can be gleaned from this data.  Inadequate protein intake, maldigestion, insulin resistance, muscle breakdown, and need for certain vitamins and minerals can be surmised from this test.  Impaired ammonia metabolism, protein overload, and inadequate methylation are some of the other conditions that can be identified through this analysis. Of course, identification of need for individual amino acids is the straight-forward use of this test.  The test report includes a custom amino acid supplementation schedule for the individual.  Although individual amino acids can be supplemented, multiple deficiencies are best addressed by a customized formula.


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 "All You Need To Know About Detoxification"

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"THE DIRTY DOZEN"

The following foods have been found to have the highest levels of pesticides. Do your best to only consume "organic" versions of these:

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Bell Peppers
Spinach
Kale
Cherries
Potatoes
Grapes (Imported)

 

 

 

Issue: #52May 2015
Microscope-fruit-puzzle-woman


Welcome to the May 2015 edition of Nutritious Bytes where the focus is Custom Amino Acid Therapy - Just what the doctor ordered!

Amino Acids - The Most Neglected and Most Versatile of Nutrients

lady-stretching-white.jpg Energy soars! Headaches vanish! Depression lifts!

 

Whether you have a chronic health condition or simply want to function at peak efficiency, an amino acid analysis could be the key. Correcting amino acid deficiencies can be life changing. How so?

 

Your fatigue and weakness...those could be from amino acid deficiencies. Depression or anxiety? Low amino acids could be the explanation. Arthritis, Insomnia, headaches, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, slow wound healing, osteoporosis, heart disease, chemical sensitivity, cancer...just about any condition can be related, in part, to lack of amino acids. Why? Because of the varied roles they play in the human body.

 

Amino acids are essential for growth and repair. Amino acids are critical for energy production. Some amino acids are neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Many types of toxins, chemicals, and body waste products are excreted by amino acids.

 

Your body is largely composed of proteins. The building block unit of protein structure is the amino acid. If you lack amino acids you cannot grow and repair optimally.

 

There are 20 amino acids that are assembled into body proteins. Nine of these are referred to as essential because the human body cannot make them; they have to be eaten in the form of dietary proteins.

 

Body proteins form the structure of cells, tissues and organs. For example, collagen is the major connective tissue protein, forming the structure of the body, including bone.

 

 Proteins are also critical for the metabolism or activities of the body. They accomplish this as components of enzymes, hormones, receptors, and transporters. For example, amylase is a starch digesting  protein (an enzyme); adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, fat-burning protein (a hormone); albumin is a protein in the blood that transports nutrients, hormones, and medications.

 

Each protein has a unique structure, which is genetically-dictated. The sequence of amino acids is critical to determining a protein's structure and function. When the body attempts to build a protein, if an amino acid is not available, the protein does not get made. This has major implications for health. For example, if collagen can't be made, wrinkles, arthritis, and osteoporosis may eventually result. The essential amino acids are most likely to be limiting; if they are not obtained from the diet in adequate quantities then proteins are not formed.

 

In many instances, people become depleted in non-essential amino acids (the ones the body can produce). This happens for a variety of reasons. Here's a hypothetical example: Let's say an individual is not eating frequently enough, doesn't eat enough green vegetables or nuts, likes cranberry juice, and takes a daily aspirin. This person is set up for depletion of the amino acid glycine. Going too long without eating causes the body to resort to glycine (and other amino acids) for making more blood sugar. A diet low in green vegetables and nuts is lacking in magnesium, which is a necessary cofactor in making glycine from the essential amino acid threonine. Cranberries contain benzoic acid, which, along with aspirin, requires glycine for elimination from the body. Many factors can result in amino acid deficiencies either by impairing absorption and formation or accelerating breakdown, utilization, and excretion.
 

Sticking with glycine as the example, consider the multitude of effects that can result from inadequate levels. Not only is glycine involved in detoxification and in maintaining blood sugar, but it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. What's more, glycine is required for making creatine, glutathione, hemoglobin, collagen, DNA, RNA, and bile acids. Creatine is an important energy substance, glutathione is critical for neutralizing free radicals and eliminating toxins, hemoglobin transports oxygen, collagen is like biological scaffolding, DNA is the stuff genes are made of, RNA translates the genetic blueprint into protein synthesis, and bile acids excrete waste products and facilitate absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. It should be easy to appreciate that a lot unhealthy outcomes can ultimately manifest from lack of glycine.

 

The list of signs, symptoms, and diseases expands with the number of different amino acids that are lacking. Let's focus on just one more symptom: depression.
 

The "feel good" brain chemical, serotonin is the target of the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) class of antidepressant medications. SSRIs increase the residence time of serotonin in the place where it is active (nerve synapse). However, instead of recycling serotonin to be used again, SSRIs result in accelerated elimination of serotonin from the body. SSRIs do nothing to make more serotonin. Where does serotonin come from in the first place? It is made from an essential amino acid: tryptophan.
 

At least six different amino acids can contribute to depression when not present in adequate levels. I am aware of two studies that tested depressed individuals for amino acid levels in the blood. Based on the results, a custom amino acid supplement was produced. Both studies found improved mood with correction of amino acid deficiencies. Half of the subjects were given the custom amino acid supplement, the other half were given a placebo. In one of these studies, all the test subjects were also given a prescription antidepressant. At the end of 4 weeks, the subjects given the custom amino acid therapy had improved mood compared to the placebo group. The study authors concluded: "The results suggest that oral application of a deficit oriented amino acid mixture can improve the therapeutic outcome of an antidepressant." 

 

Why are people commonly deficient in amino acids? Inadequate dietary protein is one cause of low amino acid status. Some individuals just don't eat enough food - protein included.

 

Maldigestion and malabsorption can create amino acid insufficiencies. Hydrochloric acid and pepsin formed in the stomach and enzymes produced by the pancreas and intestine are critical for liberating amino acids from dietary protein. What about the millions of people taking medications to shut off stomach acid?

 

Below is a plasma amino acid report on a patient of mine who was taking a proton pump inhibitor for symptoms of reflux. She had been on this acid-suppressing medication for years. This test report shows she was low in most of the essential amino acids, likely because her protein digestion was impaired by low levels of hydrochloric acid. If the protein we eat is not properly digested, less amino acids are liberated for absorption.

 

Amino acid depletion by acid-suppressing medication
Amino acid depletion in a patient on longterm acid-suppressing medication


 Incidentally, what happens to protein that is not properly broken down into absorbable amino acids? It becomes fuel for intestinal bacteria. The bacteria increase in number and the increased metabolic waste products of these organisms produce many adverse health effects.

 

Many different health conditions improve when amino acid insufficiencies are corrected. I consider several treatments when amino acid deficiencies are identified. Assuring adequate, good quality protein is an important first step. Animal products tend to be better sources of amino acids. Vegetarian and, especially, vegan diets can be insufficient in protein and specific amino acids. Sometimes a supplemental quality protein powder is worth using.  Whey Cool is in my opinion the best...and tastes good too.

 

Maldigestion and malabsorption needs to be considered in cases of amino acid deficiency, especially when the diet appears to supply adequate protein. Eating habits (like not chewing enough) and medications (like antacids) can be contributing factors. Underlying causes of the amino acid deficiencies need to be corrected.

 

Free form amino acid supplements offer some benefits not seen with whole proteins. Free form amino acid supplements contain single amino acids not bound together into protein chains. Free form amino acids require no digestion. They are ready for absorption as soon as they are swallowed - provided other food doesn't get in the way. When free form amino acid supplements are taken on an empty stomach, absorption is rapid. A rapid spike in blood amino acid levels occurs, producing concentrations many times higher than those obtained by eating protein, which requires a lot of time to digest. A surge in availability of essential amino acids seems to act as a metabolic switch, activating physiological pathways that have been relatively dormant. Healthy outcomes seem to follow.

 

When patients have several essential amino acid that are low, I recommend they take a custom-designed amino acid formula twice daily on an empty stomach. This powder has greater levels of the most deficient amino acids. It is usually mixed with water. Juice or lemonade can be substituted for water.


 
I usually suggest people take the supplement for six months and stop. After another three months we do a follow-up amino acid analysis to check that the abnormalities have been corrected.
 

In practice, I have patients who have used the custom amino acid supplement for years. They don't want to stop taking them because they feel the benefits. I think it is a good idea to test periodically to at least determine if the formula can be fine-tuned.

 

The first step in this process is to have a plasma amino acid analysis done. I have been sending my patients' blood samples to Metametrix Laboratory in Georgia for over a dozen years. Doctor's Data is another good laboratory I have used for amino acid analysis. Although a blood draw from a vein is the preferred sample, a small amount of blood from a finger-stick and urine specimens can also be tested.

 

If you would like to pursue amino acid analysis and therapy give my office a call.


 

Sincerely,


Joseph Debé, DC, DACBN, CDN
Board Certified Nutritionist

 
552 Middle Neck Road * Great Neck, N.Y. 11023 * (516) 829-1515

 

2103 Deer Park Avenue * Deer Park, N.Y. 11729 * (631) 522-1555
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