Amino acid Food sources Deficiency signs Actions Clinical uses Contraindications / Dosages

Interactions / Toxicity
Arginine Meat, fish, Poor wound healing, Triggers release of Cardiovascular disease Use with caution in cancer
poultry, dairy, hair loss / breakage, growth hormone and Peripheral arterial
nuts, seeds, liver disease, increases cytotoxic disease Supplemental arginine (or
barley, brown constipation, skin rash activity of immune Diabetes (endothelial over ingestion of foods rich
rice, cells function) in arginine) may encourage
buckwheat, Nitric oxide Erectile dysfunction the proliferation of the
chocolate, production Wound healing herpes simplex virus
corn, oats,
raisins, soy
Carnitine Red meat, Hypoglycaemia Cellular energy Cardiovascular disease Chronic liver disease and
avocado, Muscle weakness production Peripheral vascular seizures
tempeh Fatigue Improves blood disease
Cardiomyopathy glucose control Hyperthyroidism People at risk of deficiency:
Congestive heart Protects membrane Male fertility Vegetarians
failure structures and reduces Ergonomic aid in Dialysis
Hepatomegaly lactate production. cardiovascular disease Liver disease
Neuromuscular May increase sperm and chronic obstructive Renal failure
disorders quality and quantity. pulmonary disease. Coeliac disease
Preventing apoptosis Fatigue and CFS Adrenal insufficiency
Neuroprotective ADHD Vitamin C deficiency
Lipid lowering Diabetes Chronic conditions
Haemodialysis
Aging
Glutamine Animal and Conditionally Gastrointestinal Gut repair Contraindicated with
plant proteins, essential (new protection and repair Strenuous exercise hypersensitivity to
cabbage juice, classification): Body Immunomodulation HIV glutamine, hepatic disease,
eggs, wheat, cannot produce Antioxidant (precursor Cancer prevention & any condition with a risk of
soybeans, enough in: to glutathione with chemotherapy but read accumulating nitrogenous
fermented Trauma cysteine and glycine) caution about potential wastes in the blood such as
foods (e.g. Chronic stress Anabolic / to stimulate cancer renal disease
miso and Glucocorticoid use anticatabolic growth
 yoghurt) Excessive exercise Cardioprotective Excessive alcohol use
Starvation Abdominal surgery and
Infection and sepsis trauma
Cancer Acute burn injuries
Severe burns
Lysine Meat and Essential Antiviral for herpes Cold sores
protein; small simplex virus. Osteoporosis
amounts in Competes with Possibly anxiety in males
eggs, beans arginine for inclusion
and dairy into viral replication
products process.
Calcium regulation –
positive effect on
osteoblast
proliferation,
activation and
differentiation.
Biosynthesis of
collagen, elastin and
carnitine
Taurine Meat, fish & Neuronal dysfunction Conjugation of bile Possibly high cholesterol
seafood acids and lipid levels
Cardiovascular disease
Taurine is one Obesity
of the most
abundant
amino acids in
the body – It is
synthesized
from
methionine
and cysteine
with vitamin
 B6
Tyrosine Soy, chicken, Conditionally Neurotransmitter and Enhanced cognition Avoid use with
fish, almonds, essential hormone production Depression antidepressant
avocados, Depression Phenylalanine → Caffeine, cocaine and medications, thyroid
bananas, dairy Low blood pressure Tyrosine → L-Dopa → nicotine withdrawal hormone medication, in
products, Low body Dopamine → Stress adaptation malignant melanoma,
meat, eggs, temperature Noradrenaline → Stress from cold manic conditions,
nuts, beans, Restless leg syndrome Adrenaline Parkinson’s disease hyperthyroidism,
oats, wheat, Hypothyroidism Folate, B3, B6, B12, C, CFS hypertension
pumpkin and iron and copper are Weight loss
sesame seeds, required as co- Narcolepsy May elevate blood pressure
fermented enzymes for this and cause adverse reactions
foods (e.g. conversion. such as headache, GIT
yoghurt and Thyroid hormone symptoms, fatigue,
miso). synthesis. insomnia
Antioxidant
Tryptophan Turkey Essential Essential amino acid Carbohydrate cravings Side effects are rare but
Anxiety, ADHD, that is the precursor and binge eating may include headaches,
bulimia, depression, for 5- Chronic headaches, mild stomach aches,
epilepsy, fibromyalgia, hydroxytryptophan(5- Depression nausea, nasal congestion,
headaches, HTP), which is used Fibromyalgia and constipation,
hyperactivity, (along with vitamins Insomnia nightmares or vivid dreams
insomnia, obesity, B3, B6, & Mg) to Anxiety
obsessive compulsive produce serotonin (5- Panic disorders
disorder (OCD), panic HT)
attacks, PMS,
schizophrenia,
seasonal affective
disorder (SAD)
Methionine meat, fish, Essential Source of sulphur and Paracetamol overdose Liver produces
eggs, and dairy used to produce Hair, skin and nail health homocysteine from
products cysteine and taurine. Liver disorders (ie: fatty methionine if levels of B6,
Sulphur is used for liver, liver congestion, folate and B12 are not
 healthy skin, hair and detoxification) adequate. There is also fear
nail growth. Nervous system that high intake of dietary /
The sulphur from deterioration (e.g. in supplemental methionine
methionine increases AIDS) can promote some cancers
the liver's production Oestrogen excess & but more research is
of lecithin (helping to oestrogen-induced needed
reduce cholesterol) cholestasis
and reduces liver fat. SAMe is used for
Methionine helps osteoarthritis and
detoxify metabolic depression (prescribed
wastes and toxins. as SAMe, rather than
Methionine is used to methionine).
produce SAMe (S- To prevent neural tube
adenosyl-L- defects (obtain from
methionine) in the diet)
body. SAMe plays a
role in the synthesis of
neurotransmitters,
cartilage and
glutathione (used in
the liver for
detoxification)
Phenylalanine Essential Precursor for Effective as a natural Pregnancy, high blood
dopamine and pain-killer for OA, RA, pressure, and
noradrenalin and so MS, Parkinson’s, back Phenylketonuria (PKU).
thought to have an pain postoperative pain, Schizophrenia
anti-depressant effect neuralgia and headaches Antipsychotic or
antidepressant medications
(MAOI’s)
Roles of protein

1. Growth and maintenance (collagen, bone & skin)

2. Enzymes
3. Transport lipid, vitamins, minerals and oxygen
4. Hormones (nonsteroidal eg insulin)
5. Intermediates in the transport of nitrogen
6. Maintaining fluid balance
7. Immunity & healing (antibodies)
8. Source of energy (limited)