Better Nutrition's amino acids guide

Better Nutrition, Oct, 2004

better nutrition's
amino acids guide

        What Is It?                        What Does It Do?

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)    5-HTP has been effective in some
                               conditions characterized by serotonin
                               deficits, especially depression. It has
                               also been effective in treating obesity,
                               insomnia, fibromyalgia and chronic
                               tension headaches. The African plant
                               Griffonia simplicfolia, bananas,
                               tomatoes, plums, avocados, eggplant,
                               walnuts and pineapples are sources of
                               5-HTP.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine             Acetyl-L-carnitine has been effective as
                               a possible neuroprotective agent and may
                               be used to treat strokes, Alzheimer's
                               disease, Down's syndrome and various
                               neuropathies. It may also have anti-
                               aging properties.
Acetycysteine                  Acetylcysteine is used in the treatment
                               of respiratory disorders such as acute
(N-acetylcysteine, NAC)        and chronic bronchilis. It may help
                               against cardiovascular disease and might
                               be useful in treating diabetes and some
                               cancers.
Arginine Proglutamate          Arginine pyroglutamate thought to have
                               cognition-enhancing properties.
Creatine                       Supplemental crcatine may boost energy
                               during anaerobic exercise. It may also
                               have neuroprotective and cardioprotec-
                               tive actions.
DL-Phenylalanine               DL-phenylalanine is thought to have
                               analgesic and antidepressant properties.
Glutamine Peptides             Glutamine peplides have been shown to
                               help patients recovering from infec-
                               tions, surgery or trauma. They may also
                               have antioxidant properties.
Glutathione                    Glutathione has antioxidant properties.
                               It may also have detoxification activi-
                               ties. Some evidence shows that it may be
                               helpful against some cancers, diabetes
                               and lung disorders.
Glycine                        Glycine may have antispastic activity.
                               It may also have antioxidant and anti-
                               inflamnatory properties and might he
                               useful against some cancers.
L-Arginine                     Supplemental L-arginine may have
                               antioxidant and wound-healing proper-
                               ties. It has also shown promise in the
                               treatment and prevention of cardiovas-
                               cular disease and male infertility. It
                               has demonstrated some anti-cancer
                               effects.
L-Carnitine                    Supplemental L-carnitine may have
                               cardioprotective activity in addition
                               to beneficially affecting cardiac
                               function. It may have a triglyceride-
                               lowering effect in some. It may also
                               help elevate HDL ("good") cholesterol
                               levels. It may also have antioxidant and
                               neuroprotective properties.
L-Cysteine                     L-cysteine may have anti-inflammatory
                               properties and may help with
                               osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
L-Glutamine                    L-glutamine may protect against the side
                               effects of chemotherapy. It may also
                               have antioxidant properties.
L-Lysine                       Supplemental L-lysine has possible anti-
                               herpes virus activity. There is pre-
                               liminary research suggesting that it may
                               help in treating and preventing
                               osteoporosis.
L-Ornithine                    L-ornithine has possible anabolic
                               effects. It may also improve athletic
                               perforanmce and have wound-healing
                               properties.
L-Phenylalanine                L-Phenylalanine has possible antidepres-
                               sant activity. It may also, when used in
                               conjunction with UVA radiation, have
                               antivitiligo activity.
L-Theanine                     L-theanine may have anticancer effects.
                               It may also help decrease the side
                               effects of chemotherapy and have mood-
                               modulating properties.
L-Tyrosine                     L-tyrosine has possible antidepressant
                               properties.
Lactoferrin                    Supplemental lactoferrin may have
                               antibacterial and antiviral properties.
                               It may also have antioxidant and anti-
                               inflammatory effects.
Ornithine Alpha-               OKG has been shown to be useful as a
Ketoglutarate (OKG)            nutritional support for burn and other
                               trauma patients. It has been shown to
                               speed the healing of wounds. It may
                               also enhance athletic performance.
Para-Aminobenzoic              PABA may have antifibrosis activity. It
Acid (PABA)                    may also help alleviate syptoms of
                               scleroderma, a skin disease.
Taurine                        Taurine has antioxidant activity. It has
                               been shown to reduce cholesterol levels
                               in animals. There is some evidence that
                               it can normalize blood pressure. It may
                               also be helpful to those with cystic
                               fibrosis, and it has possible detoxi-
                               fying, antidiabetic and antiseizure
                               effects.
Transgalacto-                  TOS may have antitumor and antimicrobial
Oligosaccharides (TOS)         properties. They may protect against
                               colorectal cancer. They may also help
                               improve mineral absorption and balance.

        What Is It?                           How Much?

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)    Before taking 5-HTP, consult a health
                               care practitioner.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine             500 milligrams (mg)--2 grams daily in
                               divided doses
Acetycysteine                  Dosage is typically 600 mg once to three
(N-acetylcysteine, NAC)        times daily. People who supplement
                               with NAC should drink six to eight
                               glasses of wkater daily to prevent
                               cystine renal stories.
Arginine Proglutamate          500-1,000 mg daily
Creatine                       People who use creative to attempt to
                               improve athletic performance in brief,
                               high-intensity-activities should take a
                               loading dose of 20 grams in divided
                               doses four times a day for 2-5 days
                               followed by a maintenance dose of no
                               more than 2 grams daily. Those who use
                               creatine supplements should drink six to
                               eight glasses of water per day.
DL-Phenylalanine               375 mg-2.25 grams per day
Glutannine Peptides            Dosage is 12 grams daily for surgical
                               trauma, and 25 grants daily for severe
                               trauma and infections. For fitness or
                               sports purposes, use 1.5-4.5 grams
                               daily.
Glutathione                    50-600 mg daily
Glycine                        Glycine is available in 500-mg tablets
                               and capsules. As a supplement, use up to
                               1 gram daily in divided doses.
L-Arginine                     For cardiovascular health, you can use
                               8-21 grams daily in divided doses. To
                               help aid with sperm quality and quality,
                               take 10-20 grams daily in divided doses.
                               Doses of 5 grains daily are usually used
                               for erectile dysfunction.
L-Carnitine                    For cardiovascular health, take 500 mg-2
                               grams per day. Take the higher doses in
                               divided amounts.
L-Cysteine                     Usually 500 mg-1.5 grams daily. Those
                               who supplement with L-cysteine should
                               drink at least six to eight glasses of
                               water daily to prevent cystine renal
                               stones.
L-Glutamine                    Typical close, for people with cancer,
                               trauma, burns, infections and other
                               stress-related conditions are 4-21 grams
                               daily. Those who take L-glutamine for
                               these indications must be under medical
                               supervision.
L-Lysine                       For possible prevention of herpes
                               simplex virus recurrences, take 500 mg-
                               3 grams daily. The average dose is 1
                               gram daily. Higher doses should be taken
                               in divided amounts.
L-Ornithine                    Take 500 mg-2 grams per day, before
                               bedtime and on an empty stomach.
L-Phenylalanine                500 mg-1.5 grams daily
L-Theanine                     50-200 mg as needed
L-Tyrosine                     500-1,500 mg per day
Lactoferrin                    People who supplement with lactoferrin
                               usually take 250 mg daily. Lactoferrin
                               is also found in whey protein
                               supplements.
Ormithine Alpha-               Some athletes use about 2.5 grams before
Ketoglutarate (OKG)            and after exercise, as well as before
                               breakfast and at bedtime.
Para-Aminobbenzoic             Doses for scleroderma are high and must
Acid (PABA)                    only be used under medical supervision.
                               The dose nsed for this disorder is 12
                               grams daily taken in four to six divided
                               doses with meals. The tablets must be
                               dissolved in plenty of liquid to prevent
                               stomach upset.
Taurine                        500 mg-3 grams daily
Transgalacto-                  Currently available in Europe and Japan
Oligosacchariderides (TOS)     as supplements. The usual dosage is
                               ahout 10 grams daily, usually taken in
                               divided doses.