Key Nutrients & Their Functions

I am always amazed that many people do not know the function/s that their food items (& nutrients within those food items) play. That said, many aren't too sure what nutrients are derived from those food items that they're eating, despite most being clearly labeled. 

Below is a list of our key nutrients and the main function that they perform. Please click on each for more info.

Protein – repair & growth of tissue (including MUSCLE!).
Carbohydrate – primary energy source.
Fat – secondary energy source.
Vitamins & Minerals – regulate metabolic processes.
Water – transportation of other nutrients.

For further information on nutrients, please visit www.GymProfessor.com .

Best regards,

GP

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Protein

Protein, the second most abundant substance in the human body (second only to water) and with functions as varied as providing structure and repair (& growth) of tissue (skin, bone, MUSCLE), to preventing and fighting infection, protein is suitably named (from the Greek word meaning "of first importance").

Proteins are made up of smaller sub-units called Amino Acids.

For further information, please be sure to follow these posts & visit the Gym Professor website.

For now, all the best,

Gym P.

P.S. Below are a list of related topics, we'll look at soon:

Amino Acids

Dietary Protein

Nitrogen Balance

Protein Requirements

Protein Source Comparisons

Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER)

Biological Value (BV)

Net Protein Utilisation (NPU)

Protein Fractions

Protein Supplementation

Amino Acids

Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein. Amino Acids are linked in various sequences and chains (polypeptides), thus accounting for the vast variety of different proteins manufactured by the body. Likewise, our dietary protein differs, and it's subsequent utilisation by the body.

Scientists have attempted to measure utilisation rates of different sources of dietary protein, creating various forms of measure, such as Protein Efficieny Ratio (PER) and Biological Value (BV), which you may've come across on the back of your protein supplements tub.

Other tags, relating to Amino Acids, which you may be familiar with (from reading the back of protein supplements), are the prefix "L" and the noting "BCAA".

An "L" prefix denotes a naturally occurring amino acid. The opposite "D" (which you're probably not so familiar with) is synthetic, and is not normally useful to the body.

"BCAA" is short for Branch Chain Amino Acids. Bonded in a chain configuartion, the BCAA's - Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine - collectively form the largest Amino section of human protein (about 33% of MUSCLE protein!).

Naturally occurring Amino Acids are further categorised as "essential", which means that they cannot be made by the body (&, subsequently, have to be included in the diet), and "non-essential", which can be made by the body (NB: Although, still benefical within diet).

A list has been made below, click on each link to find out more info. on each individual Amino Acid. However, it must be remembered that many work hand-in-hand, and adequate amounts of protein, and good sources of protein (remember, this is what Amino Acids collectively form), are of greater importance and benefit than simply supplementing high dosages of certain Amino's.

Essential Amino Acids:

L-Isoleucine (BCAA)
L-Leucine (BCAA)
L-Lysine
L-Methionine
L-Phenylalanine
L-Threonine
L-Tryptophan
L-Valine (BCAA)

Non-Essential Amino Acids:

L-Alanine
L-Arginine*
L-Asparagine
L-Aspartic Acid
L-Cysteine
L-Glutamine
L-Glutamic Acid
L-Glycine
L-Histidine*
L-Ornithine
L-Proline
L-Serine
Taurine**
L-Tyrosine

*These are regarded as "semi-essential". The reason, they can be made by the adult body, but babies and young children may not be able to manufacture enough for their needs.

**Taurine does not have an "L" prefix as it only exists in one form. Furthermore, Taurine's unusual as it's not incorporated into proteins in the body (likewise, L-Ornithine).

Tell me more about:

Amino Acids
Dietary Protein
Nitrogen Balance
Protein Requirements
Protein Source Comparisons
Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER)
Biological Value (BV)
Net Protein Utilisation (NPU)
Protein Fractions
Protein Supplementation

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Gym P.

Amino Acid - L-Valine

L-Valine is one of three BCAA's - the other two being L-Isoleucine and L-Leucine. Together they form the largest amino section of human protein (NOTE: About 33% of MUSCLE protein!) and are therefore vitally important for muscle repair. BCAA's are often sold in supplement form together and usually in a ratio of 2:2:1 Leucine:Valine:Isoleucine - for example: L-Leucine 500mg, L-Valine 500mg, L-Isoleucine 250mg - although some supplement manufacturers choose to have a greater ratio of L-Leucine.

Contraindications: Hallucination, Kidney & Liver Illnesses, Skin Irriations.

Food sources include: Meat, Dairy Products, Soy.

For further information, & plenty of FREE advice relating to diet, supplements, weight training etc., please visit GymProfessor.com

Amino Acid L-Methionine

Your search for L-Methionine is most likely due to its relationship with Creatine - L-Methionine is one of three Amino Acids (the other two being L-Arginine and L-Glycine) required to produce energy-rich Creatine.

L-Methionine was first isolated from Casein (commonly called milk protein, as it accounts for 80% of milk protein, the other 20% being whey protein) and is synthesised by L-Aspartic Acid and synthesises into L-Cysteine to act on Gluthione (tri-peptide made up the Amino Acids L-Glutamic Acid,L-Cysteine, and L-Glycine) for liver detoxifying. L-Methionine also important for health of hair, nails and skin.

Contraindications: Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pregnancy.

Food sources include: Meat, Eggs, Dairy Products, Fish, Beans.