Amino Acids Lab Tests

Amino Acids - Protien

Amino Acids

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Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins, and proteins play a vital role in almost all biological activity in the human body. In fact, approximately 25% of our body is made up of protein. Our cells require a variety of nutrients to maintain their function, and we specifically need sugar, fat and protein to produce the energy currency that runs our body. Amino acids make up a large percentage of our cells.

Amino Acids – What Specific Functions Do They Participate In?

Amino acids amongst other things play a key role in energy metabolism within our cells. Without proper amino acid balance our cells ability to produce the energy currency chemical called ATP is significantly reduced. Without ATP production we run a deficit of cellular energy which compromises every organ system in our body including the brain and nervous system, heart and cardiovascular system, the digestive and musculoskeletal system, and immunity. Here is a short list of other functions of amino acids:

Responsible for wound healing and repair
Help remove waste material from cells
Needed for proper growth and maintenance of skin, hair, and nails
Important for muscle energy and repair

Amino Acids – Essential Amino Acids

Essential amino acids are those amino acids we must obtain from our diet. Our body doesn’t have the ability to produce these amino acids so we are dependent on food for a constant supply. These essential amino acids play a vital role in cellular metabolism and body function. Here is the list of essential amino acids:

  • Histidine
  • Isoleucine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Methionine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Valine

A few amino acids on this list are noteworthy. Methionine is an amino acid that is central to a biochemical system called Methylation. Methylation is critical for higher cognitive function and is linked to language processing, attention, focusing, awareness, and memory. Without adequate methionine, methylation chemistry is significantly altered.

Another amino acid on the essential amino acid list is Tryptophan. Tryptophan is critically important for serotonin production. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain which is linked to mood, awareness, happiness, and fine and gross motor skills. Deficits in tryptophan can lead to deficits in serotonin which leads to depression.

Amino Acids – Non-Essential Amino Acids

Non-essential amino acids are those that our body can manufacture. They are still important, and a healthy diet is critical because vitamin and minerals from our food are what help amino acids and proteins function in unison to support overall cellular metabolism.
Here is a list of non-essential amino acids:

  • Alanine
  • Arginine
  • Aspartic acid
  • Cysteine
  • Glutamic acid
  • Glutamine
  • Glycine
  • Proline

A few amino acids are noteworthy on this list as well. Cysteine and glutamic acid are critically important for the formation of a powerful antioxidant in the body called glutathione. Glutathione is our cells powerhouse antioxidant and helps protect us against toxins. When glutathione runs low there is increase chance for cell damage and disease.

Amino Acids – Benefits of Testing

Testing for amino acids is important. This can be done through blood or urine sampling and provides measurement of amino acid balance or imbalances which helps in determining whether the diet is adequate or deficient. Sometimes amino acid supplements need to be implemented to bring amino acids into balance. Also, the amino acid test such as the Urine Amino Acids gives an idea of specific mineral and vitamin need to support overall amino acid metabolism.

 

Recommended: Foods With Amino Acids

foods with amino acids like quinoa

Foods With Amino Acids

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There are many foods with amino acids – some higher in content than others. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins play a vital role in cellular function within every organ system of the body such as the brain and nervous system, heart and cardiovascular system, immune function, musculoskeletal system, etc. There are two primary categories of amino acids – essential and non-essential. The essential amino acids we must obtain from food and the non-essential are amino acids that our own body can produce. Listed below are the main amino acids found in the essential and non-essential categories:

Foods With Amino Acids – Essential Amino Acids List

• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

Foods With Amino Acids – Non-Essential Amino Acids List

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Aspartic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamic acid
• Glutamine
• Glycine
• Proline

Amino acids in general make up approximately 75% of human body and are vital for every body function. For example, cysteine, methionine, and glycine are necessary for the methylation cycle. Methylation is a system in the body that supports brain function and detoxification. In fact, cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid (all non-essential amino acids) come together to form glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in our cells. Glutathione is necessary to protect us c against toxins and support detoxification of poisons.

The foods generally highest in all around amino acids are animal proteins such as meats, eggs, and dairy. However, vegetables and grains have can have amino acids too. Listed here is the top 10 list of vegetarian food choices that contain a high amount of amino acids:

• Quinoa
• Buckwheat
• Hempseed
• Chia
• Soy
• Rice and Beans
• Ezekiel Bread
• Hummus and Pita
• Grain, oats, and nuts
• Peanut butter

These foods are considered to be complete proteins providing a wide variety of amino acids in various ratios.

Other foods such as those listed here provide a variety of amino acids:

Pumpkin, cabbage, spinach, sunflower seeds, avocadoes, figs, raisins, dates, peanuts, almonds, mushroom…

For a complete list of foods with amino acids please see the following link, here.

 

Recommended: Benefits of Amino Acids Tests

amino acids test procedure for urine test

Amino Acids Testing Procedure

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Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and the amino acids testing procedure for comes in different forms. There are many benefits to doing amino acid testing, and the information provided by amino acid tests can be useful for a wide variety of health complaints. All proteins in the body are essentially larger chains of peptides which come together through the various sequencing of amino acids. Without amino acids and the corresponding proteins our body’s ability to regulate cardiovascular, immune and neurological function would be greatly compromised. Therefore, following amino acids testing procedure is very important when evaluating amino acids.

Amino Acids Testing Procedure – Blood Testing

Amino acids can be tested through blood sampling. The blood test should be done fasting (not having eaten for at least 6 to 8 hours, but 4 hours is generally okay unless otherwise specified via the test kit instructions) to provide more accurate results. Blood amino acid testing provides a snapshot of amino acids in general blood circulation and an overall picture of essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that we must obtain from our diet, and non-essential amino acids we can produce internally. This means our diet should be replete in essential amino acids to maintain healthy levels. One reason amino acids testing procedures calls for a fasting blood sampling is that various supplements (particularly if they contain amino acids) can cause the values on the test to appear artificially elevated.

Amino Acids Testing Procedure for Urine Testing

Amino acids can also be tested through urine sampling. The urine test is normally done as a 24-hour urine collection. The sampling of amino acids from a 24-hour urine collection provides detailed information about total body storage and circulation of amino acids. It also accounts for what amino acids are being obtained from your diet over a 24-hour period of time. The 24-hour urine amino acid test often is the best way to measure total amino acids. Unfortunately, obtaining a 24-hour urine test can be difficult, especially in children. Therefore, another amino acids testing procedure is to do an 8 hour urine collection through the night. This method will still provide useful information, as along as the diet the previous day wasn’t manipulated artificially with amino acid supplements or exceptionally high amino acid foods.

What to Avoid with Amino Acids Testing

The amino acids testing procedures call for some specific action to take place prior to and during the collection process. For blood testing having not eaten for a minimum of 4 hours is required (make sure to check the specific instructions for blood amino acid test you will have done). Blood is drawn from a vein in the arm (elbow region) or back of hand. In young children or infant a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin. The blood draw process normally takes less than a minute.

The amino acids testing procedure for urine collection also has some specific actions that need to take place prior to and during the collection process. A regular diet should be consumed during the 24-hour urine collection time frame. To get the best indication of diet with relation to amino acid supplements the avoidance of amino acid supplements should be avoided during this time frame. For an 8 hour urine collection this is best done by collecting a first morning urine after a night’s sleep. If it is necessary to get up in the middle of the night to urinate this urine should be collected too.

Summary of Amino Acids Testing Procedure

Amino acid testing is a useful diagnostic tool to assess overall amino acid deficiencies and imbalances. When doing amino acid testing make sure to always read and follow the specific instructions of your particular amino acid test kit, and follow the labs amino acids testing procedure to ensure the most accurate sampling of your particular amino acid status.

Recommended: Lab Tests

Benefits of amino acids testing

Benefits of Amino Acids Tests

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There are many benefits of amino acid tests that can be applied for a wide variety of health issues. These tests provide excellent information about various amino acids, as well as certain minerals and vitamins that support these amino acids. The benefits of amino acid tests are important for individuals desiring the evaluation of amino acid levels with regards to their overall health, as well as to determine potential deficiencies, or at least the increased need for certain vitamins and minerals. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins which play a critical role in various systems throughout the body.

Benefits of Amino Acid Tests and Immune Function

The benefits of amino acid tests with regards to the immune system is through understanding that the immune system is dependent on various amino acids as their foundation for proper immune chemical production and regulation. Deficiency amino acids can lead to poor immunity which compromises health in general.

Benefits of Amino Acid Tests in Brain Function

The benefits of amino acid tests with regards to the brain and nervous system is through understanding that certain amino acids and their corresponding proteins are important because it is the brain which coordinates nerve impulses involved in speech, cognitive abilities, and muscles throughout body. Without various amino acids the brain is not able to function normally.

Detoxification and the Benefits of Amino Acid Tests

The benefit of amino acid tests with regards to detoxification is through understanding that certain amino acids are necessary for the process of detoxification. Detoxification is critical for survival as its main role is to rid the body of poisons. The main amino acids involved in supporting detoxification are methionine, cysteine, and taurine. Methionine is an amino acid that is at the center of a system called methylation which is vitally important for attention and focusing, and influences detoxification chemicals too.

Other Benefits of Amino Acid Tests

Other benefits of amino acid tests is the overall assessment of essential amino acids, which are those that must be obtained from food, and and non-essential amino acids which are those that are generated from within the body. Many imbalances can be detected through amino acid testing, and by knowing which amino acids are normal, low, or high specific amino acid supplements can be taken with more accuracy. There are various amino acid tests available, including blood and urine assessments. Urine testing through a panel called Urine Amino Acids has the advantage over blood in that is evaluates the circulation of amino acids overtime and is felt to be more representative of body stores of amino acids. Therefore, the benefits of amino acids tests come about because of their ease of collection and the beneficial information obtained through their analysis.

 

Recommended: Amino Acids Testing Procedure