Your body uses amino acids to build proteins, develop hormones and enzymes and maintain your overall good health. Your body requires more than protein and amino acids to maintain health, however. It also needs vitamins, nutrients, fiber and calories. Oat bran is a source of both fiber and amino acids that can help to create a healthy internal environment in your body. The bran is the hard outer layer of oats and is often the by-product of milling when the grain is refined.
Amino Acids
There are amino acids that are essential and must be consumed in your diet because your body cannot make them. There are also amino acids that are not essential because your body can manufacture them from the essential amino acids you get in your food. Your body uses 20 different amino acids, 10 of which are essential. Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is produced from the phenylalanine you eat in foods and absorb from foods.
Fiber
Fiber is also an essential part of a healthy diet because it helps to normalize your bowel movements, lower your cholesterol levels and control your blood sugar levels, and it helps you to lose weight. Including fiber in your diet is not difficult, since fruits, vegetables and bran products are high in fiber. Fiber can be classified as soluble or insoluble. The first type absorbs water to form a gel-like material, which slows digestion; the second type helps promote movement of digested food through your intestines. Oat bran fiber, from the hard outer shell of the grain, is soluble and plays a role in lowering cholesterol levels and glucose levels.
Oat Bran
The bran of the oat plant is the outer layer or husk of the grain. Interestingly, this was the part of the grain that was discarded for years during the milling process. Oat bran is rich in fiber, but also is rich in protein, omega oils, starch, vitamins and minerals. Oat bran can help to reduce your blood pressure and your potential of developing hormone-related diseases, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
Tyrosine
Oat bran contains both tyrosine and phenylalanine, the precursor to tyrosine. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 1 cup of raw oat bran contains 0.6 g of tyrosine and 0.8 g of phenylalanine. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists foods high in tyrosine as almonds, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, fish, turkey and chicken. You can also purchase tyrosine supplements in pill form that should be taken 30 minutes before meals and divided into three doses throughout the day. Taking tyrosine together with B-6, B-9 and copper will help your body to use it more effectively. Before adding this supplement to your daily routine, check with your physician to be sure it will not interfere with any other medications or underlying medical conditions.
