Alanine is a naturally forming chemical found in a variety of foods especially meats. This non essential amino acid is used in the production of protein. It assists the body in metabolizing various components such as glucose and can also play a part in lowering cholesterol. It is suggested that an Alanine supplement be used with people who have a diet low in protein and who may be exposed to adverse effects of a protein deficiency. Alanine is also linked to an increase in the efficacy of the immune system and a reduction of toxins in the system.

Arginine is a non-essential amino acid that is needed by the body for the proper functioning of the liver, skin, joints, and muscles. It helps improve the immune system by increasing the T-lyphocytes output from the thymus gland. Arginine also neutralizes the effects of ammonia and toxic substances by detoxifying the liver. It is beneficial to most athletes particularly body builders because arginine helps in the production of creatine in the body and stimulates the excretion of growth hormones that aids in the development of muscle mass. It also helps improve the metabolism and in fat loss. Arginine also promotes the healing and repair of damaged tissues.

Calcium, a mineral vital to the human body, Calcium is necessary for many bodily functions, such as muscle contraction, and proper heart function.

Cystine is a non-essential sulfur containing amino acid. Our body can supply cystine on its own. Cystine is important for vitamin B6 utilization and is a detoxifying agent. It removes toxins absorbed by body through alcohol and smoking and protects body from damage of brain and liver. Cystine increases the level of glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant and helps in detoxifying harmful toxins in the liver. As Alpha-keratin, the protein that makes up the skin, fingernails and hair contains cystine; it is also used in anti-aging products. It is also useful for faster healing of burns and wounds, for low count of white blood cells and in skin diseases.

Glutamic Acid is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which enhances firing of neurons in central nervous system. Glutamic acid is a main excitatory neurotransmitter in brain and spinal caord. It is transformed either into glutamine or gamma-aminobutyric acid – the two other amino acids which assist in transmitting messages to brain. Glutamic acid plays a vital role in metabolism of fats and sugars, and assists in transporting potassium into spinal fluid and across the blood-brain barrier. Though it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier as readily as is done by glutamine, it is present in blood at high levels and may reach the brain in small amounts. The brain can utilize glutamic acid as a fuel. It assists in correcting personality disorders and is helpful in treating childhood behavioral disorders. It is also used in treating mental retardation, epilepsy, ulcers, muscular dystrophy, and hypoglycemic coma.

Glycine is an organic compound and one of the 20 amino acids deemed as building blocks for proteins. This proteinogenic amino acid is not only the smallest but also the only amino acid of the group that is not chiral, which means there is no enantiomer of glycine. With the prominent exception of collagen, which thirty five percent are glycine, most proteins contain only small amounts of it. As a solid, glycine is sweet tasting, crystalline and has no color. Despite being non-essential, because it can be biosynthesized from the amino acid serine, glycine has several important physiological functions, besides being a precursor to proteins. It is a biosynthetic intermediate of purines and the D-Aminolevulinic acid and it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system.

Histidine is an amino acid that is essential especially in infants. The adult body produces this amino acid naturally and thus it becomes a non-essential acid. However in the case of infants this is not true. This vitamin is extremely important and children may not have sufficient Histidine. The Histidine is an originator of the Histamine which is a compound that is release by the human immune system when an allergic reaction takes place. This is also essential for the repair and growth of new tissues and helps to maintain myelin sheaths (the protectors of the nerve cells). Histidine is also needed for the production of the red and white blood cells.

Isoleucine- An important essential amino acid is isoleucine which is also part of the three “branched chain amino acids” along with leucine and valine. Since it is an essential amino acid it cannot be synthesized in the body and thus isoleucine has to be ingested in the diet (almonds, chicken, eggs, cashews, fish, lentils, liver, meat etc.). Isoleucine is required for muscle recovery and also for the formation of haemoglobin. Isoleucine also assists in regulating blood sugar levels and energy levels. It is also involved in blood-clot formation. Isoleucine deficiency is present only in those people who are lacking in protein intake. Deficiency may lead to dizziness, fatigue, depression etc. Excessive amounts of isoleucine doesn’t seem to be a problem though it isn’t recommended for those with kidney or liver disease.

L-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid which is extremely essential to the body. It has a variety of beneficiary properties, in that it acts as a detoxifier by combining with other acids to remove toxins from the blood stream, and helps in building immune system antibodies and converts carbohydrates into muscular energy. People with lowered levels of L-Aspartic Acids may find themselves susceptible to fatigue and tiredness. People tend to feel that they have no energy to continue with a particular activity, and replenishing the body’s levels of L-Aspartic acid may be just the thing to get back to normal. Natural sources rich in L-Aspartic Acid are animal protein, avocado, asparagus and oats. Dietary supplements can also make available, the required amounts of L-Aspartic Acid.

Lecithin is needed by every cell in the body and is a key building block of cell membranes; without it, they would harden. Lecithin protects cells from oxidation and largely comprises the protective sheaths surrounding the brain. It is composed mostly of B vitamins, phosphoric acid, choline, linoleic acid and inositol. Although it is a fatty substance, it is also a fat emulsifier.

Leucine is an essential amino acid that works together with isoleucine and valine, forming the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA). Leucine is easily converted by to body to glucose, helping to regulate and maintain the blood sugar level. Leucine promotes muscle recovery, muscle repair and provides the body with energy. It also helps in burning fat that are least responsive to exercise and dieting. Leucine helps in toning the body and the muscles. Leucine prevents muscle loss by breaking down and converting to glucose, this prevents the body from breaking down muscle tissues to create energy, particularly during intense workouts and heavy weight lifting.

Lysine

Methionine is an a-amino acid classified in the non polar group of amino acids. All amino acids have a basic structure in which there is a central carbon atom, attached with the amine, carboxyl, and functional groups as side chains and also a hydrogen atom. Only the functional group varies in different amino acids and the properties, and thus the importance of the amino acids varies according to the functional groups. Methionine has a non polar thioether group as its functional group. Most of the advantages of methionine are based on the fact that the body can convert it into very useful substances. On its own, it is a potent antioxidant and helps in the breakdown of fat. When converted to creatine monohydrate, it helps muscle building.

Milk is a white liquid produced by modified sweat glands of mammals called mammary glands. Milk is very nutritious and its exact components vary from species to species but it contains good amounts of saturated fat, proteins, calcium and vitamin C. Milk contains butterfat globules in water based fluid. Though undoubtedly accepted as an excellent source of nutrients, research has indicated some special health benefits of milk use as well. Consumption of low-fat milk has been found to reduce the risk of contracting high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, colorectal cancer and obesity. Consumption of full fat dairy milk may lead to an increase in fertility in women. Milk contains conjugated linoleic acid which destroys certain types of cancer cells

Phenylalanine- (S) alpha Amino beta phenylpropionic acid, or L-Phenylalanine, is an essential, electrically neutral amino acid, one of the twenty amino acids that are used by the human body to create proteins. L-Phenylalanine can also be turned into L-Tyrosine, also an amino acid, which converts into L-DOPA, a precursor to catecholamines like epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. While it is naturally found in breast milk and also milk of mammals, it is also a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in many diet soft drinks. Other sources of phenylalanine include beef, poultry, pork, seafood, sesame seeds, soy milk, walnuts, flax seed, cottage cheese and asparagus. Although widely available through food, L-Phenylalanine is also marketed as a supplement, particularly for body builders where muscle growth is the main factor.

Phosphate (Phosphorus) is a chemical element that is found in the periodic table with the atomic number fifteen. As a high reactive element, it is not found in clean form as a free element in nature. It is one of the most important and essential elements in the human body, being found in phospholipids that form all the membranes of cells, the DNA, the RNA and also the ATP. Cellular energy is being transported by phosphate in form of adenosine triphosphate, calcium phosphate, which are salts, are responsible for the stiffness of bones. In the average human, the amount of phosphorus in weight would be about one kilogram, whereby most of it is in form of apatite and found in teeth and bones. The daily consumption of phosphorus through dietary means is estimated at about one to three grams.

Potassium, a mineral that is quite common in our food. Potassium is needed for proper muscle growth, nervous system and brain function and to help balance the PH of our bodies.

Serine is a non-essential amino acid derived from amino acid glycine and is beneficial to both mental and physical health.It is vital for proper functioning of brain and central nervous system. Serine helps form phospholipids that are needed to make every cell in the body. It also is helpful in muscle formation and maintaining a strong immune system. Proteins used to form the brain, and the protective myelin sheaths covering nerves, contain serine. It is also required for producing amino acid tryptophan, which is used to make serotonin, a chemical that determines mood. Shortage of serotonin and tryptophan has been associated with depression, confusion, insomnia, and anxiety. Decreased serine levels can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Sodium is the element that has the atomic number 11 in the periodic table and is commonly known as the main component in the table salt, together with chloride. Interestingly enough, it is probably the one dietary component which does require limitation rather than supplementation, since that average daily nutritional requirement is around half a gram per day. This most popular food seasoning, salt, is providing the most common source of sodium and chloride in human diets, but is generally overused and may cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, if consumed overly generously. The suggested dose of table salt, or rather the upper limit portion, would be somewhat less than 6 gram per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, referenced by FDA. In the UK this limit is set at four grams per day.

Taurine is an amino acid that the body usually has lots of. It can be found both in the nervous system as well as the muscles. Its job amongst other things is to assist in the releasing of brain neurotransmitters.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is formed from proteins during digestion by working of proteolytic enzymes. It can help enhance relaxation and improve sleep, soothe nerves and anxiety, relieve minor premenstrual symptoms, and decrease carbohydrate cravings. It is vital for production of serotonin, which is among the important chemicals involved in blood regulation. During depression, the amount of serotonin released from the brain’s nerve cells may decline. Tryptophan, by enhancing serotonin levels in the blood, can increase the antidepressant effects of serotonin. It is essential for production of niachin (B3) and needs, biotin, B6, zinc, and vitamin C to form the enzyme required for conversion. It can relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. It assists in controlling hyperactivity in children, relieving stress, and increasing release of growth hormones essential for production of vitamin B6. It can also help regulate appetite and assist in weight loss.

Tyrosine is a non essential amino acid derived from several sources, including soy, poultry, milk and cheese products, but can also be synthesized in the body from phenylalanine. There are twenty amino acids that are used in human cells to synthesize proteins, one of which is tyrosine. It is of vital importance to the carbon dioxide conversion into organic compounds conducted by plants, the photosynthesis. Tyrosine is also recognized as a precursor to hormones, but also alkaloids and pigments. It is furthermore viewed as a precursor to neurotransmitters; it increases the levels of plasma neurotransmitters, most prominently norepinephrine and dopamine. While under normal circumstances the effects of tyrosine are inconclusive, it has been observed as useful in stress situations and to reduce the effects of a cold, fatigue, sleep deprivation and any kind of prolonged labor.

Valine- One of the several essential amino acids present in the human body is Valine. This is also a nonpolar, branched chain amino acid which is found in high concentrations in the muscles. Since it is an essential amino acid, valine is not synthesised in the body and thus must be ingested as part of the diet. Valine is available through foods like fish, poultry, peanuts, sesame seeds, lentils and cottage cheese. Valine is essential for muscle, growth and repair of tissue and for maintaining the body’s nitrogen balance. Since it has a branched chain, valine can be used as an energy source in the muscles and thus conserves glucose. Hence valine is often used by bodybuilders to support muscle growth and provide energy. A deficiency of valine in the body, caused by the inability of the body to metabolise valine leads to the Maple Syrup Urine Disease in which the person’s urine smells like maple syrup.

Whey Protein Concentrate enhances physical performance and is thought to be the ‘gold standard’ of protein for athletes who work extremely hard to develop and maintain a lean and strong physique. It is naturally complete protein, which means that it contains all essential amino acids that are required in the daily diet. It has the perfect combination of amino acids, helping better the body composition and increase performance of athletes. It is also a good source of branched chain amino acids. These amino acids are vital for athletes since, unlike other essential amino acids, they are metabolized directly into muscle tissues and are the foremost one consumed during exercise and resistance training. Whey protein gives the body branched chain amino acids to restore low levels and initiate repairing and rebuilding of weak muscle tissue.

Whey Protein Isolate is a pure high quality protein made from cow's milk. It is a naturally complete protein containing all of the essential amino acids required by the body daily. It is a rich source of branched chain amino acids which metabolize directly into muscle tissue and are the first ones used during periods of exercise and resistance training. It is an excellent source of Lucien which plays a key role in promoting muscle growth. Whey protein also helps stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.

Xanthan Gum is used in cosmetics to stabilize and bind products. Cosmetic companies add a very small amount to their products to keep the individual ingredients from separating. Xanthan gum is composed of glucose,mannose and glucuronic acid. It is often used in recipes in place of gelatin by people with food allergies or for people who are omitting dairy, eggs and soy from their diets.