From tukki.jyu.fi!news.funet.fi!sunic!hagbard!eru!bloom-beacon!mintaka!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!cpsc.ucalgary.ca!krawchuk Sun May 19 19:14:58 EET DST 1991
Article: 9755 of alt.drugs
Path: tukki.jyu.fi!news.funet.fi!sunic!hagbard!eru!bloom-beacon!mintaka!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!cpsc.ucalgary.ca!krawchuk
From: krawchuk@cpsc.UCalgary.ca (Bj Krawchuk)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Amino Acids File 1.1
Message-ID: <KRAWCHUK.91May18231930@fsd.cpsc.UCalgary.ca>
Date: 18 May 91 21:19:30 GMT
Distribution: alt
Organization: The University of Calgary
Lines: 207
Nntp-Posting-Host: fsd


Earlier, there were some questions about amino acids on alt.drugs.
I posted a scanty summary of some of aminos I was interested in.
More questions appeared after that, posted and in my mail box.
This file is quite a bit more complete but still doesn't list 
many of the 22 or so AAs. (eg. alanine, histidine, idoleucine,
proline, serine, threonine, valine... these are all common, but
i haven't found much info on them). 
Documentation and sources are missing, so please don't take this
file too seriously. I probably won't create another version of
this for a while.

(Note that this is a Folded file, for those with MSDOS machines and
 the shareware editor.)


=============================
AMINO ACIDS AND THEIR EFFECTS
=============================
Version 1.1
Compiled by: Bj Krawchuk (krawchuk@cpsc.ucalgary.ca)
Several sources have been used and may be requested from above.

(*@/// Phenylalanine *)
(*@/// L-phenylalanine *)
L-phenylalanine
        - converted into tyrosine which is
           precursor to noradrenaline (NE) and dopamine
        - like all amino acids best taken on empty stomach since it competes
          with proteins to cross the blood brain barrier.
        - requires vitamins C and B-6 for the conversion to NE.
        - Dosage: 500 - 1000mg along with 1g C, 30-50mg B-6
        - phenylalanine also stimulates the release of
          cholecystokinin, which is the body's own appetite-suppressant,
        - can increase sexual interest
        - improves memory and mental alertness
        - antidepressant
        - do not use L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine if you are
          using MAO inhibitors for depression (it can cause a
          major elevation in blood pressure).
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// DL-phenylalanine *)
DL-phenylalanine
          - combination of synthetic (D) and natural (L) phenylalanine
          - produces endorphins and stimulates their use
          - thus, effective painkiller, often better than the
            opiate derivatives such as morphine.
          - nonaddictive, nontoxic
          - reverse-tolerance effect (pain relief gets better)
          - strong anti-depressant effect
          - can be combined with other pain-killers
            with few bad interactions
(*@\\\*)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tyrosine *)
L-tyrosine
        - precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine
        - non-essential amino acid (since PA is converted into it first)
        - has been studied as an effective aid to cocaine withdrawal
        - (see L-phenylalanine)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Tryptophan *)
L-tryptophan
        - precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin along with
          B6, niacin, and magnesium.
        - (actually immediate precursor to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP)
           which is the precursor to serotonin (5HT))
        - prolongs slow-wave sleep
        - reduces pain sensitivity
        - no effect or increases REMS
        - has some hypnotic effects
        - useful for some types of endogenous depression
          (has been found as useful as imipramine and amitriptyline)
        - aids in reducing anxiety and tension
        - an appetite supressant
        - dosages have been studied up to 15g
        - Major Food Sources:
              Cottage cheese, milk, meat, fish, turkey, bananas,
              dried dates, peanuts, all protein-rich foods.
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Lysine *)

L-lysine
        - needed for growth and enzyme, hormone, antibody production
        - aids concentration
        - treatment for some sterility problems
        - treatment and prevention for herpes infections
        - aids fatty acid -> energy conversion
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Arginine *)
L-arginine
        - used to increase sperm counts
          (semen contains up to 80% of arginine)
        - aids immune response and healing of wounds
        - helps stored fat metabolism
        - helps to tone muscle tissue
        - used for weight-loss in combination with L-ornithine
        - one amino acid required for production of growth hormone
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Ornithine *)
L-ornithine
        - similar to arginine
        - growth hormone (which acts as a fat metabolizer) is
          stimulated to be released by ornithine and arginine.
        - can be used as a slimming technique (while you sleep -
          GH is released by the pituitary gland then)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glutamine *)

L-glutamine
        - converted to glutamic acid, the brain's emergency source of
          energy when glucose is in short supply.
        - precursor to the neurotransmitter GABA
        - neutralizes excess ammonia (which can inhibit proper
          brain function)
        - improves intelligence
        - helps to control alcoholism
        - helps to speed ulcer healing
        - alleviates fatigue, depression, impotence,
          schizophrenia, senility
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Aspartic Acid *)
L-aspartic acid
        - ammonia neutralizer
        - a study showed improved stamina and endurance in atheletes
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Cysteine *)

L-cysteine
        - cystine is its stable form
        - antioxidant
        - contains sulfur
        - protects cellular membranes from "free radical damage"
        - prevents alcohol and cigarette smoke damage to the brain
        - stimulant to immune system
        - believed to be good for antiaging
        - effective against copper toxicity (eg. Wilson's disease)
        - protects against X-ray and nuclear radiation
        - warning: may affect insulin effectiveness
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Methionine *)
L-methionine
        - antioxidant
        - contains sulfur
        - prevents damage of brain cells from toxic heavy metals
        - important in producing neurotransmitters and energy
        - lowers blood level of histamine
          (this may help some types of schizophrenia)
        - combined with choline and folic acid, can prevent some
          types of tumors
        - deficiencies: hair loss, atherosclerosis, cholestorol deposits,
          edema, poor urine processing
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glycine *)
L-glycine
        - treatment for poor pituitary functioning
        - supplies creatine which is essential for muscle function
          (effective against muscular dystrophy)
        - treatment for hypoglycemia
        - stimulates glucagon which metabolizes glycogen into glucose
        - antacid
        - treatment for low blood pH
        - treatment for leucine imbalance-causing body odor and halitosis
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Leucine *)
L-taurine
        - nonessential amino acid
        - aids efficient conduction of electrical impulses
          along nerve pathways
        - anticonvulsant (esp in combo with glutamic, aspartic acids)
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Glutathione *)
L-Glutathione
      - tripeptide amino acid made of cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine
      - "triple threat" antiaging
      - antioxidant
      - anti-tumor agent
      - respiratory accelerator in the brain
      - used in the treatment of: allergies, cataracts, diabetes,
        hypoglycemia, arthritis
      - prevents some side effects of chemotherapy and X-ray radiation
      - protects against some harmful side-effects of cigarrette smoke
        and alcohol
(*@\\\*)
(*@/// Carnatine *)
L-carnatine
      - newly discovered amino acid
      - aids stored fat -> energy conversion
      - helps: hypoglycemia, reduces angina attacks, diabetes,
        liver disease, kidney disease
      - deficiency causes heart tissue damage
(*@\\\*)


---End File -----------------------------------------------------------------

--
	Bj

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brent J. Krawchuk 		Knowledge Sciences Laboratory 
krawchuk@cpsc.ucalgary.ca	University of Calgary
				2500 University Drive NW 
				Calgary, AB, Canada  T2N 1N4 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     All argument is for it; but all belief is against it. -- S. Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


