leucine Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Why Does Fasting Reduce Seizures?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 07:00:03 +0000

Boston Children’s Hospital via Newswise – Calorie restriction has long been associated with reduced seizures in epilepsy. New research from Boston Children’s Hospital helps explain how fasting affects neurons in the brain and could lead the way to new approaches that would avoid the need for fasting or restrictive diets. The findings were published August 30 in the journal Cell Reports. “This study is the first step in understanding how dietary therapies for epilepsy work,” says first author Christopher J. Yuskaitis, MD, PhD, a neurologist with the Epilepsy Center and Epilepsy Genetics Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “The mechanisms have until now been completely unknown.” DEPDC5, mTOR, and Fasting To connect the dots between diet and seizures, the researchers began with existing knowledge. They knew that the well-known mTOR cellular pathway is involved in many neurological disorders and had shown previously that over-activation of this pathway in neurons increases susceptibility to seizures. Studies by others had shown that mTORC activity is inhibited by acute fasting, though these studies didn’t look at the brain. Finally, Yuskaitis and colleagues knew that signaling by a protein called DEPDC5 acts as a brake on the mTOR pathway. That was intriguing, since mutations in the DEPDC5 gene have recently been found in many people with epilepsy. DEPDC5 mutations have been linked to focal epilepsy, infantile spasms, and sudden death in children. “When we used an animal model that knocks out DEPDC5 specifically in the brain, we found that we could reduce seizures by using an mTOR inhibitor,” says Yuskaitis. “That gave us the idea to explore the connection between DEPDC5, mTOR, and fasting.” Amino Acid Sensing In the new study, they showed in a mouse seizure model that mTOR signaling was reduced in the brain after fasting. Additional studies of cultured rat neurons in a dish suggest that this fasting effect is primarily driven by the lack of three amino acids (leucine, arginine, and glutamine). Going further, the team demonstrated that the presence of these nutrients is sensed by the DEPDC5 protein. When they knocked out DEPDC5 in the brain, mTOR activity was not reduced and fasting no longer protected the mice against seizures. “Amino acid sensing seems to be critical for the beneficial effects of fasting on seizures,” says Yuskaitis. “This suggests that patients with DEPDC5 mutations can’t sense the loss of amino acids and may not benefit from dietary manipulation. But patients who don’t have DEPDC5 mutations may benefit from a targeted dietary strategy.” This could take the form of diets with lower levels of the three amino acids, or medications or supplements that block absorption of those amino acids, he adds. Next Step: Ketogenic Diet This study is only a first step. Yuskaitis and colleagues now want to try diets in animal models that eliminate specific amino acids and observe the effects on seizures. They also want to explore how the ketogenic diet, a popular approach to treating epilepsy, helps curb seizures. No one currently knows why this low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet works. “We’re hoping this will hope us uncover additional dietary-based therapies other than ketogenic diet, which is sometimes difficult to follow long term due to side effects,” says Yuskaitis. Such work may also provide a new lens on neurologic disorders overall. “Using these rare genetic disorders, we are starting to gain fundamental insights into the role of nutrients in brain function,” says senior investigator Mustafa Sahin, MD, PhD, managing director of the Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center at Boston Children’s. “Findings from these rare disorders may open doors for better treatments of epilepsy in general.” To read the original article click here.

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What Is the Difference Between Slow and Fast Proteins?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:00:06 +0000

Rakefet Arieli via The Jerusalem Post – There’s a difference between “slow” proteins, which are recommended to be consumed in food or drink before bed and “fast” proteins, which will do the work for you after you exercise. How can you choose the right one and which products do you need to know about before the next workout? Here are the answers. Adequate protein intake is crucial for our health. It contributes to muscle mass and bone health, and also helps us maintain a healthy weight. Since awareness of proper protein intake has increased in the last few years, companies started marketing new protein-rich products, such as yogurts, milk drinks, protein bars and protein powders. But What Exactly Should You Consume and How Do You Choose? Let’s organize all the information you need. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. There are 20 of these, and our body needs them all. The difference between the proteins is in the number of amino acids in the chain, their type, the order of their connection and the spatial structure in which they’re organized. Of the 20 amino acids, the amino acid leucine was found to be most effective for consumption after physical exertion, as it contributes to the repair and renewal of muscle tissue damaged during physical exercise, even slight tears which occur on a regular basis. Proteins are found naturally in milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs, soy and legumes. Proteins differ according to the rate of their absorption in the body. With “slow” proteins the rate of increase of amino acids in the blood is slow, and with “fast” proteins the rate of increase of amino acids in the blood is fast. “Slow” proteins, such as casein protein, should be consumed when the time window for building muscle is long, for example before bed. “Fast” proteins, such as whey and soy, are recommended for consumption when the time window for building muscle is short, such as at the end of a workout or between workouts. There are many points to consider when choosing the protein product we want to eat or drink in different situations: is it part of a meal, something to meal after a workout, or a late night bitetaste, type, quantity, quality, availability, etc. If you want to consume protein after physical exertion, nutritionists recommend 20-40 grams of whey protein, which contains one-three grams of leucine. Cow’s milk naturally contains about 80% casein protein and 20% whey. When dairy products are produced changes in the protein content can be made which affects the amount and type of protein in the products. A protein that has undergone an isolation process will contain the highest amount of whey protein and the highest amount of the amino acid leucine. So, it will be the most recommended protein to consume after a workout. Today, you can find a variety of protein drinks that differ from each other in the process of protein production in nutritional values, which vitamins and minerals are added and in how they taste. Rakefet Arieli is a clinical and sports dietitian at Shaare Zedek Hospital Sports Medicine Center. This article was written in cooperation with Yotvata and was published on our sister publication, Maariv. To read the original article click here.

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Essential Amino Acids Benefits for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain and Even Mood

AHA Publisher — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 06:08:46 +0000

Rachael Link, MS, RD via Dr. Axe – Your body needs all amino acids to function and thrive, but some can be produced in the body while others need to be obtained from food. Getting enough through either dietary sources or supplementation can help enhance weight loss, preserve muscle mass, improve exercise performance, boost mood and promote better sleep. Protein is incredibly important when it comes to your health. It makes up the structure of your bones, muscles and skin and is used to build tissues and synthesize hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which is why getting enough essential amino acids in your diet is critical to maintaining optimal health and preventing protein deficiency. So what are amino acids, and how can you be sure you gett the right mix to keep your body healthy? Here’s what you need to know. What Are Amino Acids? (What Roles Do They Play in the Body?) The official amino acids definition includes any organic compound that contains both a carboxyl and amino group. To put it simply, though, they are considered the building blocks of proteins. For example, they make up a large portion of your muscles and tissues, and protein foods like meat, fish, poultry and eggs are composed of many different types of amino acids. So how many amino acids are there, and what is the role of amino acids? There are 20 amino acids in total, each of which plays a very specific role in the body and is distinguished by its respective amino acid side chains. These amino acids are involved in almost every biological process and aid in wound healing, hormone production, immune function, muscle growth, energy production and more. Your body needs all amino acids to function and thrive, but some can be produced in the body while others need to be obtained from food. Getting enough through either dietary sources or supplementation can help enhance weight loss, preserve muscle mass, improve exercise performance, boost mood and promote better sleep. Essential Amino Acids vs. Non-Essential Amino Acids The 20 amino acids that your body needs can be further divided into two distinct categories: essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body, That means you must get them from food sources to help meet your needs. So how many essential amino acids are there? There are nine essential amino acids that you must obtain through the diet, including: 1. Lysine: necessary for growth and tissue repair as well as the production of several hormones, proteins and enzymes. 2. Leucine: involved in protein synthesis, wound healing, blood sugar control and metabolism. 3. Isoleucine: aids in detoxification, immune function and hormone excretion. 4. Tryptophan: increases levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, pain, appetite and sleep. 5. Phenylalanine: helps produce other amino acids as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. 6. Threonine: forms the foundation of connective tissues like collagen and elastin. 7. Valine: supports brain function, muscle coordination and calmness. 8. Histidine: maintains the health of myelin sheaths, which protect nerve cells against damage. 9. Methionine: keeps skin elastic and helps strengthen the hair and nails. Getting a good variety of amino acids in your diet is crucial to maintaining overall health. A deficiency in any of these key essential amino acids can cause serious side effects that affect nearly every aspect of health, including immune function, muscle mass, appetite and more. In contrast, non-essential amino acids can be produced by your body, meaning it’s not as crucial to get them through the foods that you eat. There are a total of 11 amino acids that make the non-essential amino acids list, including: 1. Arginine: stimulates immune function, fights fatigue and optimizes heart health. 2. Alanine: aids in metabolism and provides energy for muscles, brain and central nervous system. 3. Cysteine: as the main type of protein found in hair, skin and nails, cysteine is crucial for collagen production and skin health. 4. Glutamate: acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. 5. Aspartate: helps produce several other amino acids, including asparagine, arginine and lysine. 6. Glycine: functions as a neurotransmitter to support brain health. 7. Proline: found in collagen, which helps promote joint health, metabolism and skin elasticity. 8. Serine: necessary for fat metabolism, immune function and muscle growth. 9. Tyrosine: helps synthesize thyroid hormones, melanin and epinephrine. 10. Glutamine: supports many metabolic processes and provides energy for the cells in the body. 11. Asparagine: acts as a diuretic and optimizes brain and nerve cell function. Some of the compounds on the amino acid list are also considered “conditionally essential.” That means they are usually not required the body but may become essential under certain conditions, such as extreme illness or stress. Amino acids can also be classified into other groups based on their structure and side chains, including polar amino acids, aromatic amino acids, hydrophobic amino acids, ketogenic amino acids, basic amino acids and acidic amino acids. Benefits of Essential Amino Acids 1. Enhance Weight Loss Amino acids benefit weight loss by enhancing fat loss and preserving lean body mass. Supplementing with branched-chain essential amino acids, in particular, has been shown to be especially effective when it comes to weight loss. Impressively enough, a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that consuming a supplement with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) while following an eight-week resistance training program led to significant increases in lean body mass and strength gains, plus greater decreases in percent body fat than consuming a whey protein supplement or sports drink. However, other research has turned up mixed results, indicating a need for additional studies in the future. 2. Preserve Muscle Mass As the primary building blocks of the muscle tissue, amino acids are absolutely essential to muscle maintenance and muscle growth. Plus, some studies have found that supplementing with essential amino acids can help prevent muscle loss, which is a common side effect that occurs with both aging and weight loss. For instance, a 2010 study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition showed that supplementation with essential amino acids helped improve muscle function for older adults on bed rest. Similarly, a study out of South Carolina found that supplementing with essential amino acids was effective at preserving lean body mass while promoting fat loss in athletes. 3. Improve Exercise Performance Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a competitive athlete, essential amino acids are definitely necessary if you’re looking to bring your workout to the next level. In fact, essential amino acids like leucine, valine and isoleucine are commonly used to help promote muscle recovery, prevent soreness and fight fatigue as part of a healthy, post-workout meal. One large review of eight studies showed that supplementation with BCAAs was able to reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle function following intense workouts. Plus, another study conducted by Leeds Metropolitan University found that taking four grams of leucine daily helped enhance strength in men during a 12-week resistance training program. 4. Boost Mood Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that plays a key role in regulating mood and maintaining mental health. It’s used by the body to synthesize serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is believed to influence mood. An imbalance in this important neurotransmitter can also contribute to serious problems like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and even epilepsy. A 2015 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reported that chronic treatment with tryptophan had beneficial effects on both cognitive and emotional function while also enhancing feelings of happiness. Meanwhile, other research has also found that tryptophan can help treat symptoms of depression and alleviate anxiety. 5. Promote Better Sleep In addition to its powerful mood-boosting effects, some evidence suggests that tryptophan may also help enhance sleep quality and beat insomnia as well. This is because it helps increase levels of serotonin, which is involved in the sleep cycle. A large review published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine noted that there is evidence to support a sleep-moderating effect of tryptophan, although research is still mixed. Unlike many over-the-counter sleep medications, tryptophan is also well-tolerated and associated with minimal side effects, making it a great natural remedy to help promote better sleep. Signs of Amino Acid Deficiency (Plus Potential Causes and Complications) So what is amino acid deficiency, and what causes it? Also known as protein deficiency, this is a serious condition that occurs when you don’t consume enough amino acids to meet your daily needs. It can result in a long list of negative symptoms, ranging from reduced muscle mass to bone loss and beyond. Some of the top symptoms of an amino acid deficiency can include: • Dry skin • Splitting hair • Hair loss • Brittle nails • Thinning hair • Decreased muscle mass • Impaired growth in children • Increased appetite • Decreased immune function • Bone loss • Puffiness and swelling Protein deficiency can affect anyone who doesn’t get enough amino acids in the diet. Older adults and people with chronic conditions, such as cancer, are at an especially high risk for protein deficiency because they often have increased protein needs and decreased food intake. Those following a vegan or vegetarian diet should also plan their diets carefully to ensure they meet their protein needs by eating a variety of plant-based protein foods. Essential Amino Acids Food Sources The best way to ensure you meet your needs for all nine essential amino acids is to include a wide array of essential amino acids foods in your diet. Common examples of proteins like meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products are some of the top essential amino acids sources and typically considered complete proteins. This means they contain all of the essential amino acids. For vegetarians, quinoa, buckwheat and fermented soy foods like tempeh or natto are also considered complete proteins. Keep in mind that, although many plant-based protein sources are considered “incomplete proteins” because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids, they can be combined with other foods to help fill in the gaps and make sure you meet your nutritional needs. Therefore, if you follow a well-balanced diet, it’s easy to get all of the essential amino acids that your body needs. So which foods are high in amino acids? Here are a few of the top essential amino acids foods that you may want to add to your diet: • Meat: beef, lamb, venison, etc. • Fish: salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, etc. • Poultry: chicken, turkey, duck, etc. • Eggs • Dairy Products: milk, yogurt, cheese • Fermented Soy: tempeh, natto, miso • Legumes: lentils, beans, peas • Whole Grains: quinoa, buckwheat, oats, amaranth, brown rice, etc. • Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, etc. • Seeds: chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, etc. Amino Acid Supplements and Dosage Although amino acids are widely available in a variety of different food sources, you can also opt for supplementation to get a quick and concentrated boost of amino acids benefits. There are many different types of supplements available that differ in the type offered as well as the potential health benefits. Protein powder supplements like whey protein, hemp protein powder or brown rice protein offer many essential amino acids that your body needs while delivering a hearty dose of protein. Collagen or protein powder made from bone broth are two other easy options that can provide a good amount of protein as well as an array of essential amino acids. You can also opt for isolated amino acid supplements, such as tryptophan, leucine or lysine. Each of these has been linked to specific health benefits, and they’re all often used as natural treatments for conditions like cold sores, depression or insomnia. Regardless of which type of amino acid supplement you select, be sure to follow the recommended dosage carefully to avoid unwanted side effects. If you do experience any negative symptoms, consider...

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