What are Amino Acids? There are 20 different types of amino acids, which are important building blocks for proteins. Proteins are broken down into amino acids by the body during digestion. These are referred to as "proteinogenic amino acids" because they are integrated into proteins. In chemistry, an amino acid is defined as a molecule containing both amino and carboxyl functional groups. Additionally, non-proteinogenic amino acids are those that are not considered part of the proteins in the body. For example, the thyroid hormone thyroxine or the building material of bacterial cells, glutamate.
What are the Functions of Amino Acids in the Body? There are different types of amino acids, with approximately 270 known amino acids, of which only 20 have various functions in the human genome. Therefore, to complete the biological processes in the body, these 20 amino acids, 8 of which have different roles, must be obtained from external sources. The body can produce 12 of these amino acids. The other 8 amino acids, like vitamins, cannot be produced by the body itself and must be obtained through nutrition.
Amino acids serve the following functions in the body:
Skin structure
Muscle synthesis
Immune system maintenance
Transmission of signals from the brain
Transport and storage of nutrients
Protein formation
Control of hormone production
Control of cell and bone structure
Regulation of the heart and vascular system
What Problems Can Amino Acid Deficiency Cause? Since amino acids are involved in all biological processes in the body, their deficiency can lead to performance decline, fatigue, muscle weakness, hair loss, sleep disorders, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and thyroid disorders. If there is a deficiency of a specific amino acid in the body, the functioning of all proteins is disrupted. Amino acid deficiency is generally a risk for small children, pregnant women, highly stressed individuals, and chronic patients. High blood pressure (untreated) and atherosclerosis are often associated with a deficiency in two essential amino acids. It is important to ensure an adequate intake of arginine to dilate blood vessels and normalize blood pressure.
Growing children may not produce enough arginine and histidine, which are necessary. Therefore, their diet should include fish, chicken, cheese, and soybeans.
Pregnant women may suffer from essential amino acid deficiency due to changing hormones. Therefore, it is important to ensure an adequate intake through the diet. Since stress hormones are composed of amino acids, those with high levels of stress may experience amino acid deficiency.