The proteins in the foods you eat are made up of building block molecules called amino acids, of which phenylalanine is one. You use the phenylalanine in your diet for a variety of purposes. Some individuals -- those with a disease called...
If you've spent much time perusing the shelves at your local supplement retailer, you've probably seen arginine on its own or in other supplements. You may also have seen L-arginine and wondered about the difference between the two. While there is...
Leucine is one of the amino acids, or building blocks of protein. You need amino acids that you obtain from the proteins you eat to make your own proteins; you also use them for energy. Leucine, in the context of a protein, contributes to the...
Glutamine -- sometimes also called L-glutamine -- is a dietary supplement. Because it's an amino acid, however, and some acids can make acid reflux worse, you might wonder whether taking glutamine supplements could negatively impact your...
Your body cells are made up of large quantities of protein, which forms both structural and functional molecules. You also depend upon proteins outside of your cells -- antibodies and many hormones are proteins, for instance. To build these...
Arginine and ornithine are two amino acids, the building blocks of proteins -- both the ones you eat and the ones your cells build for functional and structural purposes. There's only a small amount of evidence linking arginine -- and ornithine in...
Protein is one of the three macronutrient compounds; the other two are carbohydrates and fats. You need macronutrients to provide your cells with energy and the building blocks for molecules that your body produces. Protein is made up of amino...
Lysine is an amino acid, and amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are 20 "common" amino acids that your body needs to build proteins, which are structural and functional components of cells. Of these, certain -- including lysine...
Many people think of amino acids as nothing more than supplements sold in health food stores, purported to help build muscle, treat illness and improve health. In fact, amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and you need them to maintain...
Proteins are important structural and functional biomolecules that are a major part of every cell in your body. Your cells make proteins by following the instructions encoded in your DNA, which is genetic material and a type of nucleic acid. Other...
Adding vegetable protein to your diet, whether you are simply cutting back on meat, following your spiritual beliefs or completely removing all animal products, is a relatively easy project. Planning a vegetarian-style daily menu is a matter of...
A wide variety of supplements is available on the market that promise to help you put on muscle overall, or in specific places -- for example, the biceps muscles. While there is some research that suggests arginine may have roles in increasing...
Acai, pronounced ah-sigh-EE, berries are harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the Amazon rainforest in South America. The acai berry looks similar to a large blueberry and has a slightly tart taste, with hints of chocolate and...
Protein, carbohydrates and lipids, also called fats, are the three macronutrients found within foods. These three substances differ in structure, function and composition as well as in how they're metabolized once consumed. Protein differs most in...
Human growth hormone is secreted by the somatrope cells of the anterior pituitary gland, located in the brain. HGH is released in a pulsing fashion at intervals throughout the day and night. The largest release of HGH occurs approximately one hour...
Phenylalanine is one of the amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Many of the foods you eat -- including meat, dairy, eggs and soy -- contain phenylalanine. You use this amino acid for a variety of purposes in the body, including...
According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, proteins are comprised of building blocks called amino acids. Human beings require amino acids in order to thrive. Of the 20 common amino acids, there are nine which scientists deem essential. We must...
Phenylalanine -- an amino acid and one of the building blocks of protein -- has no side effects as a component of food in healthy individuals. However, in those with a disease called phenylketonuria, or PKU, phenylalanine causes a variety of side...
Despite somewhat similar-sounding names, Listeria and lysine aren't related to one another. Listeria is a bacterial infection that you can get from eating contaminated food. Lysine, on the other hand, is an amino acid --- one of the building...
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been under scientific scrutiny since 1965, and many negative claims continue to circle about it. The FDA approved aspartame as a limited use additive in 1981 and as a general purpose sweetener in 1996...
You may have seen dietary supplements consisting of or including a compound called arginine. If you've also noticed the ingredient L-arginine in supplements, you've probably wondered what the difference is. While they're technically not the same...
Tryptophan is an amino acid and a component of the proteins you eat and the proteins in your body. Because you use tryptophan to synthesize the neurotransmitter serotonin--involved in feelings of relaxation and well-being--you may experience a...
Leucine, often called L-leucine, is one of the amino acids. As such, it's a building block of protein, both in the food you eat and in your body and cells. Leucine is one of the essential amino acids, meaning you have to consume it -- your body...
Proteins consist of 22 substances known as amino acids. These amino acids are necessary for maintaining life. They support the growth, repair and maintenance of our organs, nerves, skin, hair and nails as well as all of the muscles in our bodies....
Phenylalanine is one of the 20 common amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins both in your body and in the foods you eat. You use phenylalanine for energy and to build other small molecules in the body. The term "phenylalanine" is...
Lysine is one of the amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. The proteins you consume when you eat food, and the proteins that make up the structural and functional components of your body, consist of 20 common amino acids, one of...
Tyrosine and phenylalanine are two of the 20 common amino acids that make up the proteins in the food you eat and in your body. You need both these amino acids -- phenylalanine you must get from food, while the body can make tyrosine -- to provide...
Zinc has a variety of critical roles in your body, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. It helps with cell metabolism and can help promote muscle growth and hormone health. Zinc is attained primarily through diet since your body is...
Arginine is one of the most common amino acids that for humans is conditionally essential. This means that an individual's age and health condition determine the degree of necessity. In most cases the human body makes enough arginine to satisfy...
