What are the functions and effects of amino acids?

Amino acid is an indispensable substance for the human body. The body's protein is absorbed through amino acids. The amino acids in the body can maintain the body's nutritional balance and can also play a role in daily diet intake. If the body lacks amino acids, it will lead to a decrease in the body's immunity.

The efficacy and role of amino acids

1. The digestion and absorption of protein in the body is completed through amino acids: As the first nutritional element in the body, the role of protein in food nutrition is obvious, but it cannot be directly utilized in the human body. Instead, it is utilized after being converted into small amino acid molecules.

2. Play a role in nitrogen balance: When the quality and quantity of protein in the daily diet are appropriate, the amount of nitrogen ingested is equal to the amount of nitrogen excreted through feces, urine and skin, which is called total nitrogen balance. It is actually a balance between the constant synthesis and decomposition of proteins and amino acids. The daily protein intake of a normal person should be kept within a certain range. When the intake suddenly increases or decreases, the body can still adjust the protein metabolism to maintain nitrogen balance. If you consume too much protein, it will exceed the body's ability to regulate and the balance mechanism will be disrupted. If you do not eat protein at all, tissue protein in the body will still break down, and negative nitrogen balance will continue to occur. If you do not take timely measures to correct it, it will eventually lead to antibody death.

3. Converted into sugar or fat: The a-keto acid produced by the decomposition of amino acids is metabolized through the metabolic pathway of sugar or fat depending on its different characteristics. α-Keto acid can be synthesized into new amino acids, or converted into sugar or fat, or enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle to be oxidized and decomposed into CO2 and H2O, releasing energy.

4. Participate in the formation of enzymes, hormones, and some vitamins: The chemical nature of enzymes is protein (composed of amino acid molecules), such as amylase, pepsin, cholesteryl esterase, carbonic anhydrase, transaminase, etc. The components of nitrogen-containing hormones are proteins or their derivatives, such as growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenaline, insulin, intestinal hormone, etc. Some vitamins are converted from amino acids or combined with proteins. Enzymes, hormones, and vitamins play a very important role in regulating physiological functions and catalyzing metabolic processes.

5. Prolong life: If the elderly lack protein in their bodies, their protein breakdown will increase and their synthesis will slow down. Therefore, generally speaking, the elderly need more protein than young and middle-aged people, and their demand for methionine and lysine is also higher than that of young and middle-aged people. People over 60 years old should consume about 70 grams of protein every day, and the protein should contain a full range of essential amino acids and an appropriate ratio. Such high-quality protein can prolong life.