Know your vitamins

Our bodies run on protein made up of amino acids; from the production of blood, tissue, muscle, collagen, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and the chemical messages constantly being sent around the body. There have been 24 main amino acids identified that, in combination, make up tens of thousands of proteins. Some of the most important – arginine, carnitine, cysteine and taurine – have been included in this glossary.

An important amino acid that can be produced naturally by the body, but often needs supplementation from diet or intravenous therapy. It performs many vital functions in the body including boosting the immune system, promoting healthy skin, nails and hair with the production of collagen and minimising stress.

Calcium is everywhere in the body, doing invaluable work keeping it in optimum condition. It is required for strong bones and teeth, necessary for the blood clotting function and helps to keep your heart healthy. If deficient in calcium from diet, the body takes what it needs from your bone reserves which can lead to serious health problems. Calcium works closely with magnesium as they balance each other out and both are necessary for good health.

Not technically an amino acid but made up from two essential amino acids, carnitine is mainly found in red meat so vegetarians often suffer from a carnitine deficiency. Stress, over-exercising, being overweight and certain malabsorption conditions can also lead to lowered levels of carnitine. Among other functions, carnitine is invaluable for energy production. Other benefits of carnitine include maintaining the immune system and improving the condition of your skin.

The superhero antioxidant. Cysteine’s many benefits include producing healthy skin and hair and boosting the immune system. Cysteine slows down the ageing process by fighting free radicals that damage the body. It is one of the three amino acids that make up glutathione.

Its benefits include boosting the immune system and strengthening the intestinal system. Glutamine is an amino acid that makes up the powerful antioxidant glutathione, but also has many important functions of its own, such as regulating blood PH, removing waste products, as well as being an important building block in the production of muscle tissue.

This molecule, made up of the amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamine, is produced naturally by the body and is usually recycled. However, when the body’s toxic load is too great – a problem that is on the rise – our levels can become depleted. The benefits of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, are becoming increasingly recognised, as it fights the spread of free radicals that cause such damage to the body. Lowered levels of glutathione can lead to a depressed immune system, lowered energy levels and the risk of muscle damage and lengthy recovery times. Studies have clinically proven its value.

As Registered Nurses, MrandMrsNurse were constantly monitoring Magnesium levels in patients since it is one of the key nutrients needed by the body. Usually gained from a varied diet, lower levels of magnesium in food sources mean that more and more people are experiencing a magnesium deficiency. Other factors such as certain medications, stringent dieting, alcohol abuse or gluten intolerance can all contribute to lowered levels of magnesium. Magnesium is essential for energy production and cell turnover. Boosting your levels of magnesium can benefit production of healthy bones, teeth and heart. It can also help relax muscles and thereby lessen the chance of incurring an athletic injury.

An essential amino acid, methionine contains sulphur and is used to produce glutathione, cysteine, creatine and taurine. These are necessary for all the functions of the body, as well as building strong and healthy tissue and eliminating toxins. Methionine also contributes to the production of collagen, strengthening of muscles and an increase in energy levels.

Ornithine is an amino acid which is crucial for the elimination of waste from the body and if this process is compromised it can greatly increase levels of toxicity. This can cause a lack of energy.

Another essential amino acid, phenylalanine produces tyrosine that is needed to make adrenaline, dopamine and noradrenaline.

Not actually an amino acid in itself, taurine is a by-product of two other amino acids. Its benefits include boosting energy levels and improving athletic performance and reaction time, making it very popular with athletes. Taurine also works as a highly effective antioxidant.

Selenium is a mineral found in the soil and we gain selenium from a variety of different foods. It is essential for a number of functions in the body from the production of antioxidants and the thyroid hormone and how our metabolism and immune systems works. There are a number of health benefits associated with selenium including building a healthy immune system. It can also reduce oxidative stress through the production of antioxidants, which keeps you looking and feeling young.