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What is
Alanine?
Alanine is a nonessential amino
acid, it is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids.
Alanine is not essential to the human diet, since it can be
synthesized from other cellular metabolites. Alanine is manufactured from other amino acids
in the liver.
What does
in the Body?
Alanine is used by the body to
build
proteins. Alanine is vital for the production of
protein, essential for proper function of the central
nervous system and helps form neurotransmitters.
Converts into glucose when
energy is needed or blood sugar levels decrease. It helps
break down glucose, which provides the body with
energy.
Alanine strengthens the
immune system by producing antibodies.This
amino acid is
known to be involved in the metabolism of the vitamin
pyridoxine, and also
tryptophan. Alanine is present in
prostate fluid, and it may play a role in supporting
prostate health.
Where is it found?
Alanine
is found in a wide variety of foods, but is particularly
concentrated in meat. Good sources of alanine include beans,
nuts, seafood, seeds, brown
rice bran, dairy products, eggs, fish,
legumes, whole grains. Symptoms
of Side Effects/ Deficiency
Because the body easily constructs alanine from other
sources, it is difficult to become deficient in alanine.
Deficiencies of a nonessential amino acid will not occur if
a well-balanced diet is consume, because the intake of proper
foods will allow the body to produce exactly the amount of
amino acid required to function optimally. Vitamin B6
deficiency will cause an alanine deficiency.
Alanine is generally considered to be safe for most people.
However, people with kidney or liver disease should not
consume high intakes of amino acids without consulting a
healthcare professional. |