Amino acids

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The body's production of glutathione in the liver is dependent upon a diet high in fruits and vegetables (providing precursors), membrane transport activities of the three sulfur amino acids (cysteine, cystine, and methionine), and adequate conversion of methionine to cysteine via the trans-sulfuration pathway. Therefore, any of the many herbs and nutrients that aid this biochemical process are valuable in cataract prevention. Nutrients include NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), alpha-lipoic acid and SAMe (s-adenosylmethionine).

Herbs for Health and Healing Kathi Keville See book keywords and concepts

Proteins are composed of amino acids.) Another Chinese herb, shizandra, also has a regulating effect on the central nervous system. Studies show that this herb quickens responses and makes people more alert while actually stimulating the nervous system. A 1983 study conducted in China showed that shizandra relieves headaches, insomnia and dizziness and calms a racing heart. It has also been reported to control anger and aggression. Since stress takes a big toll on your adrenal glands, consider using herbs such as licorice, bupleurum and ligus-trum to support those glands.

The Super Anti-Oxidants: Why They Will Change the Face of Healthcare in the 21st Century James F. Balch, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

This powerful antioxidant is a sulfur-containing tri-peptide formed in the body from three amino acids: cysteine (a sulfur-containing amino acid), glutamic acid, and glycine. "Glutathione Helps in Preventing and Battling weight Cain, Hyperactivity, Alcohol, Sugar and Caffeine Addictions, Allergies, Arthritis, cataracts, Lung and Skin, and Prostate and Bladder Cancers." Glutathione helps both to prevent numerous diseases and, in doing so, to slow the aging process. Dr. Allen H.

Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

In addition to being a significant source of the amino acids that make up protein, they contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Beans also are stocked with protease inhibitors, phytosterols, saponins, and isoflavones, all potent phytochemicals that inhibit a multitude of diseases. Yellow split peas and lima beans are excellent sources of genistein, and pinto beans are a great source of daidzein. A one-half-cup serving of beans daily will deliver a significant amount of all these beneficial phytochemicals. Beans are available dried or canned.

Food Your Miracle Medicine Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts

Thus, he figures that pumpkin seeds may work as well as the pure amino acids alone or as well as certain drugs specifically designed to treat the condition. Other potential remedies for prostate swelling, according to Dr. Duke, are cucumber seeds, watermelon seeds, sesame seeds, carob, soybeans, flaxseed, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts and saw palmetto fruit. Dr. Duke suggests that such foods, along with pumpkin seeds, could be ground together into a peanut-butter-like spread he calls "Prosnut Butter.

Smart Exercise: Burning Fat, Getting Fit Covert Bailey See book keywords and concepts

We eat an incredible variety of proteins, which all end up in the blood as simple amino acids. And the carbohydrates in potatoes, bread, or chocolate pudding all turn into blood glucose. But the fats we eat, which go through the same digestive processes — saliva, stomach acid, and pancreatic enzymes — don't reduce to a simple one-word end product. Instead we get fatty acids, monoglycer-ides, triglycerides, high-density cholesterol, low-density cholesterol, and a few other tongue twisters. Is it any wonder no one can understand the research reports?

Food Your Miracle Medicine Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts

It's the "balance of power" between the two amino acids that determines whether the virus takes over cells and flourishes in your body. At that juncture, you want lots of lysine and little arginine to keep the virus in check. THE ARGININE EXPERIMENTS As a test of how arginine can prod the herpes virus into acting up, Dr. Griffith gave patients high doses of arginine—500 milligrams four times a day—and restricted their lysine intake. Three out of five quickly developed such severe herpes outbreaks that he stopped the study.

Griffith says, it was discovered that amino acids found in food can either stifle or encourage the growth of the herpes virus. Adding the amino acid arginine to the herpes virus in cell cultures made it grow like crazy. Adding the amino acid lysine halted the growth and spread of herpes viruses in cells. One theory is that lysine wraps a protective coat around the cell, barring the virus from penetrating and eviscerating the cell. If that's the case, doesn't it make sense to feed the herpes virus a diet low in the growth-stimulant arginine and rich in the growth-inhibitor lysine?

An ounce a day, or about two tablespoons, would provide therapeutic amounts of the amino acids and other useful substances, he says. PSORIASIS: FISH FOR THE SKIN There's intriguing evidence that fish oils may help prevent and relieve the symptoms of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease characterized by red, dry, scaly skin, pain and itching.

Thus, paradoxically, when you drink milk that contains tryptophan, levels of tryptophan do not increase in the brain, but actually decrease because tryptophan molecules are crowded out of the brain by other more plentiful amino acids in milk. On the other hand, eating high-carbohydrate meals without tryptophan, actually raises brain tryptophan that creates serotonin, calming most people down, says Dr. Wurtman. Not all scientists agree with Dr. Wurtman's intricate explanations of brain chemistry.

Smart Exercise: Burning Fat, Getting Fit Covert Bailey See book keywords and concepts

It can shape protein into a specific enzyme, disassemble the enzyme into its component amino acids, then put those back together as a different protein. The new protein may be another enzyme or something such as hair or skin. Some of the enzymes we make are quite stable. Among these are the sugar-burning anaerobic enzymes in muscles. Even if you don't exercise for years, your muscles retain those enzymes because burning sugar is essential to the fight-or-flight mechanism. The fat-burning enzymes, on the other hand, break down quickly.

The Way of Herbs Michael Tierra See book keywords and concepts

Shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris Family: Cruciferae Parts Used: Entire plant, especially the aerial portions Energy and Flavors: Pungent, sweet, neutral Systems Affected: Blood, liver, stomach and uterus Biochemical Constituents: Flavonoids, luteolin-7-rutinoside, quercitin-3-rutinoside, plant amino acids, choline, tyramine, diosmin and acetylcholine Properties: Hemostatic, antihemorrhagic, diuretic and urinary antiseptic, antipyretic Dose: Standard infusion of 5-15 grams; of the tincture, 10-30 drops. Take externally.

Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

Glutathione is a carrier of amino acids into the Stimulating GST in Different Parts of the Body Many different phytochemicals stimulate increased glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, but the phytochemicals from some foods appear to favor increased GST in certain organs in the body. For example, the diallyl sulfides that are found in onions and garlic dramatically and consistently increase the levels of GST in the stomach, whereas the dithiolethiones found in cruciferous vegetables also increase GST levels, but not necessarily in the stomach.

The Way of Herbs Michael Tierra See book keywords and concepts

They also contain high amounts of protein, enzymes, and eight essential amino acids and have been found to be useful for cancer, heart disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), flu, tumors, viruses, high blood pressure, obesity, and aging. Lentinant, a polysaccharide found in the root and cell wall of shiitake, has a triple-helix structure, a shape considered important to the healing properties of shiitake. Lentinant stimulates the production of T-lymphocytes and macrophages that ingest foreign invaders.

Smart Exercise: Burning Fat, Getting Fit Covert Bailey See book keywords and concepts

If you eat just rice or just beans, the liver can't do much with the amino acids, but in combination their proteins make up a complete protein. This was not understood for a long time. People said, "Oh! I must have animal protein every day." But we now know that's not necessary. Mixing two or three incomplete proteins, like whole-wheat bread with peanut butter, makes it unnecessary to have animal protein at all. Some people still don't believe we get enough protein, so let's look at how the researchers came up with the RDA's.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Because some amino acids prevent this drug from reaching the brain, L-dopa should not be taken with food. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. And unfortunately, the beneficial effects of levodopa diminish with prolonged use, while there is an increase in longer term side effects, including dyskinesias (abnormal movements) and confusion. After about two years, it no longer works well and another drug, such as bromocriptine (Parlodel) or a combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Atamet, Sinemet), is usually substituted.

Carnitine, a substance related to the B vitamins but often grouped with the amino acids, helps to reduce free fatty acid levels in people with cirrhosis. It also reduces elevated triglycerides and liver enzymes. Start by taking a dose of 250 to 500 milligrams of L-carnitine with breakfast. After one week, add a second dose, with lunch. After another week, add a third dose, so that you are taking 250 to 500 milligrams with each meal. Continue taking L-carnitine for three to four months. ¦ Choline is very beneficial to the liver. Take 500 milligrams a day until recovery is complete.

Carnitine, a substance related to the B vitamins but often grouped with the amino acids, has been shown to restore normal transport of fatty acids from the liver. It helps to reduce free fatty acid levels and reduces elevated triglycerides and liver enzymes. Start by taking a dose of 250 to 500 milligrams of L-carnitine with breakfast. After one week, add a second dose, with lunch. After another week, add a third dose, so that you are taking 250 to 500 milligrams with each meal. Continue taking L-carnitine for three to four months.

The Way of Herbs Michael Tierra See book keywords and concepts

A vegetarian diet can be very healthful, but it is difficult to get enough protein for optimum health unless attention is given to carefully combining sources of essential amino acids. A consistently low-protein diet will eventually lead to a number of deficiency conditions such as: emotional instability, low body weight, thinning hair, allergic sensitivity, bronchial and nasal congestion (production of copious amounts of clear mucus), hemorrhoids, tiredness, and cold extremities.

Other important nutrients, such as amino acids, certain vitamins, calcium magnesium, and sodium, are reabsorbed. Urine contains water, urea, urates, nitrates, sulfates, and phosphates. The dietary need for potassium is obviated by the fact that there is a certain loss of potassium by secretion with urates in the urine. Herbs have a number of effects on the urinary tract. They can stimulate the excretion of urine and thus have a more flushing effect. They also possess potent antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, which help prevent and cure urinary tract infections.

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills and Kerry Bone See book keywords and concepts

Phytosterols, essential oil, amino acids (gamma-aminobutyric acid, canavanine).7 PHARMACODYNAMICS Immune function Astragalus markedly enhanced the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells,8 potentiated interleukin-2-generated LAK (lymphokine-activated killer) cell cytotoxicity manifested by tumour cell lysis9 and reversed tumour-associated macrophage suppression in urological tumours,10 all in vitro. Using an in vitro local graft-ver-sus-host reaction as a test assay for T-cell function, Astragalus extract restored the reaction in nine of 10 cancer patients.

Smart Exercise: Burning Fat, Getting Fit Covert Bailey See book keywords and concepts

The problem is that the liver uses amino acids that were destined for some other function, primarily protein construction. The body acts as if it is lacking in protein no matter how much protein is in the diet. Somewhere in the body a protein-dependent tissue is going to suffer. The areas affected first are the muscles not being used. In older runners these are the neck, chest, shoulder, and arm muscles. Older men who run long distances day after day have fabulous lower-body muscles, but their upper bodies look emaciated. Now you know why.

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

This action on the part of bean sprouts may be attributed to their amino acids and enzymes. METHOD OF PREPARATION There is an assortment of qualified books to explain the intricacies of sprouting various kinds of beans and seeds. Only brief details can be given here. First, choose the beans to be sprouted. Second, measure out the amount you intend to sprout. Third, soak them in a quart pot of lukewarm water overnight. Fourth, pour the beans into your sprouter container the next morning, distributing them evenly over the bottom. Then thoroughly rinse them under cold water.

Stopping the Clock: Longevity for the New Millenium Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman See book keywords and concepts

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) Aids in metabolism of amino acids, synthesis of nucleic acids, and formation of blood cells; appears to be an important cofactor in many cellular reactions. Caution: Toxic in high doses; use should be monitored by a physician. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) Has antioxidant properties; works with other substances to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy; works with glutathione reductase to protect against oxidative damage during exercise; appears to aid in the formation of T lymphocytes, enhancing immunity; seems to help prevent damage to the cornea.

Human GH, or somatotropin, is a simple protein made up of a single chain of 191 amino acids. This substance is released by the pituitary gland, starting in childhood and continuing into old age. The hormone enters our bloodstream in pulses, generally in the early hours of sleep (another reason why sleep is so important to growing children!). The hormone then moves quickly from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is converted into substances called DGF 1 and 2. These are messenger molecules also known as "growth factors." They carry hGH's message of growth into other parts of the body.

Our bodies use the 22 amino acids of protein to build muscles, skin, hair, nails, and blood, as well as to nourish the heart, the brain, and other organs. Yet excessive consumption of protein not only puts an unwarranted strain on our digestive and eliminative systems, but it also reduces our immunity, increases cholesterol levels, and causes calcium to be leached from our bones. How much protein your body needs depends on your lean body weight, as protein is the substance used to maintain that weight. A number of factors may increase your need for protein.

Supplements: A diverse and broad spectrum ranging from vitamins and minerals to amino acids and fatty acids, use glandulars, coenzymes and metabolic intermediaries e.g., 300 mg/day coenzyme Q-10, 500 mg/day L-carnitine This supplementation is individualized via metabolic balancing. Pro-Greens vegetable mixtures; broad range of growth factors obtained from fractionation of glandulars.

Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists Richard Lucas See book keywords and concepts

Constituents in Fenugreek Seeds Fenugreek seeds contain protein and, according to a report in Biological Abstracts, "new free amino acids," the building blocks of the human body. Another substance found in the seeds is trigonelline, which the U.S. Pharmacopoeia describes as the methylbetaine of nicotinic acid—the pellagra preventative factor. (Pellagra is a serious disease resulting from nutritional deficiencies.) The seeds also contain an aromatic oil rich in vitamins A and D and similar in composition to cod liver oil.

Other nutrients found in the beans include potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and amino acids. In addition, soybeans are rich in unsaturated fatty acids of which the most important is lecithin. Lecithin for Coping with Cholesterol Lecithin is composed of bland, water-soluble granules refined from soybeans and is available from health food stores and various herb firms.

The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine: How to Remedy and Prevent Disease with Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

SIBERIAN GINSENG, through the interplay of its many active constituents, including the panaxosides, ginsengosides, essential oils, carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, peptides, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and sterols, is often able to normalize physiological imbalances (10). In this case, research has shown that it can raise abnormally low blood sugar levels (11-12) and that it can lower abnormally high blood sugar levels (12-13).

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