Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health


Book Description

This edited volume comprehensively highlights recent advances in the metabolism, nutrition, physiology, and pathobiology of amino acids in all the systems of humans and other animals (including livestock, poultry, companion animals, and fish). It enables readers to understand the crucial roles of amino acids and their metabolites in the health and diseases of the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal, and urinary systems, as well as the sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue). Readers will learn that amino acids are not only the building blocks of protein, but are also signalling molecules, as well as regulators of gene expression, metabolic processes and developmental changes in the body. This knowledge will guide nutritional practices to improve the growth, development and health of humans and other animals, as well as prevent and treat chronic (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders) and infectious (e.g., bacterial, fungal, parasite, and viral) diseases. Editor of this volume is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional biochemistry. He has over 38 years of experience with research and teaching at world-class universities in the area of amino acid biochemistry, nutrition, and physiology. He has published more than 625 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 62 chapters in books, and authored two text/reference books, with an H-index of 117 and more than 55,000 citations in Google Scholar. This publication is a useful reference for professionals as well as undergraduate and graduate students in animal science, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biology, human medicine, food science, kinesiology, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, veterinary medicine, and other related disciplines. In addition, all chapters provide general and specific references to amino acids in systems health for researchers and practitioners in biomedicine, animal and plant agriculture, and aquaculture, and for government policy makers.




The Role of Protein and Amino Acids in Sustaining and Enhancing Performance


Book Description

It is a commonly held belief that athletes, particularly body builders, have greater requirements for dietary protein than sedentary individuals. However, the evidence in support of this contention is controversial. This book is the latest in a series of publications designed to inform both civilian and military scientists and personnel about issues related to nutrition and military service. Among the many other stressors they experience, soldiers face unique nutritional demands during combat. Of particular concern is the role that dietary protein might play in controlling muscle mass and strength, response to injury and infection, and cognitive performance. The first part of the book contains the committee's summary of the workshop, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The remainder of the book contains papers contributed by speakers at the workshop on such topics as, the effects of aging and hormones on regulation of muscle mass and function, alterations in protein metabolism due to the stress of injury or infection, the role of individual amino acids, the components of proteins, as neurotransmitters, hormones, and modulators of various physiological processes, and the efficacy and safety considerations associated with dietary supplements aimed at enhancing performance.




Amino Acids in Therapy


Book Description

Directed primarily to the health professional, this book covers all aspects of amino acid therapy and discusses conditions that respond particularly well to this treatment.







Salts of Amino Acids


Book Description

Over the last decades, amino acids have been found to be of importance in many fields of science. Apart from their biological function, this family of organic compounds has been employed in the synthesis of a vast variety of salts, with impact on areas such as materials science, pharmaceutical or physical research. This covers a wide range, from the discovery of important ferroelectrics or non-linear optical materials to nutrients, flavor enhancers or drugs. This book describes amino acids and their salts with cations, anions and inorganic compounds from a chemical, physical and crystallographical point of view. Additional data on structural properties, crystal growth and the relation of structure and physical properties of amino acid salts is discussed.




Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health


Book Description

Amino acids (AAs) are not only building blocks of protein, but are also signalling molecules as well as regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. Additionally, AAs are key precursors for syntheses of hormones and low-molecular weight nitrogenous substances with each having enormous biological importance. For example, physiological concentrations of AA metabolites (e.g., nitric oxide, polyamines, glutathione, taurine, thyroid hormones, and serotonin) are required for cell functions. Growing evidence shows that humans and animals have dietary requirements for all proteinogenic AAs. Mammals, birds and fish also have species- and age-dependent needs for some AA-related substances. However, elevated levels of other products (e.g., ammonia, homocysteine, H2S, and asymmetric dimethylarginine) are pathogenic factors for neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, optimal amounts of AAs and their ratios in diets and circulation are crucial for whole body homeostasis and health. Adequate provision of one or a mixture of functional AAs or metabolites may be beneficial for ameliorating health problems at various stages of the life cycle (e.g., fetal growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and mortality, weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction and wasting syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility). Dietary supplementation of these nutrients can also optimize the efficiency of metabolic transformations to enhance muscle growth, milk production, and athletic performance, while preventing excess fat deposition and reducing adiposity. Therefore, functional AAs hold great promise in improving the growth, health and well-being of individuals. Chapter 7 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.




Amino Acids


Book Description

Following its predecessor, the second edition of Amino Acids: Biochemistry and Nutrition presents exhaustive coverage of amino acids in the nutrition, metabolism and health of humans and other animals. Substantially revised, expanded and updated to reflect scientific advances, this book introduces the basic principles of amino acid biochemistry and nutrition, while highlighting the current knowledge of the field and its future possibilities. The book begins with the basic chemical concepts of amnio acids, peptides and proteins, and their digestion and absorption. Subsequent chapters cover cell-, tissue-, and species-specific synthesis and catabolism of amino acids and related bioactive metabolites, and the use of isotopes to study amino acids metabolism in cells and the body. The book details protein turnover, physiological functions of amino acids, as well as both the regulation and inborn errors of amino acid metabolism. The book concludes with a presentation on human and animal dietary requirements of amino acids and evaluates dietary protein quality. Features: Encompasses a comprehensive coverage of basic to applied concepts in amino acid metabolism in humans and other animals. Highlights important roles of dietary amino acids and protein intake in growth, physical performance and health, including sarcopenia mitigation and immunity. Discusses concerns over the excess intakes of amino acids or protein in the development of diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and cancers, as well as bone integrity Each chapter contains select references to provide comprehensive reviews and original experimental data on the topics discussed. Each chapter is backed by original experimental data on various topics discussed and contains select references to aid the reader further in research. Written by Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition, Guoyao Wu, Ph.D., this book is an authoritative reference for students and researchers in both biomedicine and agriculture.




Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition


Book Description

This is the first volume in a 2-volume compendium that is the go-to source for both research- and practice-oriented information on the importance of branched chain amino acids in maintaining the nutritional status and overall health of individuals, especially those with certain disease conditions. Over 150 well recognized and respected contributors have come together to compile these up-to-date and well-referenced works. The volumes will serve the reader as the benchmarks in this complex area of interrelationships between dietary protein intakes and individual amino acid supplementation, the unique role of the branched chain amino acids in the synthesis of brain neurotransmitters, collagen formation, insulin and glucose modulation and the functioning of all organ systems that are involved in the maintenance of the body’s metabolic integrity. Moreover, the physiological, genetic and pathological interactions between plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and aromatic amino acids are clearly delineated so that students as well as practitioners can better understand the complexities of these interactions. Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition: Volume 1 covers basic processes at the cellular level, inherited defects in branched chain amino acid metabolism, and experimental models of growth and disease states.




Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Amino Acids


Book Description

Amino acids are featured in course syllabuses and in project and research work over a wide spectrum of subject areas in chemistry and biology. Chemists and biochemists using amino acids have many common needs when they turn to the literature for comprehensive information. Among these common interests, analytical studies, in particular, have undergone rapid development in recent years. All other chemical and biochemical aspects of amino acids - synthesis, properties and reactions, preparation of derivatives for use in peptide synthesis, racemization and other fundamental mechanistic knowledge - have been the subject of vigorous progress. This book offers a thorough treatment of all these developing areas, and is structured in the belief that biochemists, physiologists and others will profit from access to information on topics such as the physical chemistry of amino acid solutions, as well as from thorough coverage of amino acid metabolism, biosynthesis and enzyme inhibition; and that chemists will find relevant material in biological areas as well as in the analysis, synthesis and reactions of amino acids.




The Molecular Nutrition of Amino Acids and Proteins


Book Description

The Molecular Nutrition of Amino Acids and Proteins provides an in-depth look at the involvement and role of amino acids and proteins in molecular nutrition. Editor Dominique Dardevet has assembled a collection of chapters written by leading researchers and top professors that provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of amino acids and proteins. The book provides an introduction to the fundamentals of amino acids and proteins as well as the composition of food. It then delves into the molecular biology of the cell and genetic machinery and its function. The Molecular Nutrition of Amino Acids and Proteins also features reference guides for terms and bullet-point summaries, making it readily accessible to novices while still providing the most up-to-date and detailed information that experienced researchers need. Provides a gentle introduction to the subject by first addressing nutritional information and then building in molecular aspects, clearly establishing fundamental information for the reader Facilitates reader comprehension by including succinct summary points in each chapter Contains a glossary of definitions that allows readers to easily reference terms Provides both a deep and broad understanding of the subject by containing overviews as well as detail-focused chapters