In this article, we will elucidate the functional use of amino acids and why they could be taken at night.
We know that it is a complex topic, but we are very excited to propose it as a topic of our blog, since we will be able to delve into the functional use of a well-known supplement, but with a lot of potential ahead.
Surely you will have several questions, so let’s go to our business.

Amino acids, the beginning of everything

Amino acids are organic compounds that contain basic amino groups and carboxyl acids. There are 500 different amino acids in nature, of which only 20 participate in the constitution of proteins necessary for the nutrition of animals, including humans.
According to nutritional nomenclature, amino acids can be classified into:

• · Essential amino acids: That they must be ingested with the diet.
• · Conditionally essential amino acids: Self-synthesized and ingested.
• · Non-essential amino acids: They are self-synthesized.

In humans, these substances are involved in tissue protein synthesis and can be converted into fat for energy storage, oxidized into carbon dioxide and water for energy, or transformed into enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and acids for a role in regulating metabolism and growth.

Amino acids and other food components can be divided into those with nutritional, sensory, and biological functions. Firstly, its nutritional function is the most widespread and means that eating a sufficient amount of good quality protein leads to an adequate source of essential amino acids.
Conversely, eating protein with an amino acid imbalance causes a shortage of essential amino acids. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11081372
Some plant proteins lack certain amino acids—such as lysine in grains—so these amino acids are often added to certain foods to enrich their nutritional value.
In addition, in people who cannot ingest protein, amino acid preparations are used for the nutritional treatment of pathological conditions.
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.57.401

With respect to sensory function, some amino acids exhibit one or more of the five tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami) and are used to flavor processed foods.
DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.16-00057-1

Third, amino acids have biological regulatory functions, e.g., leucine increases muscle protein anabolism, arginine has a vasodilatory action and improves immunity, and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) regulates blood pressure. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-2999(02)01294-3

In addition to these three functions, amino acids can also be used as medical diagnostic tools and to predict the risk of various diseases, such as cancer, by measuring their blood levels.
Therefore, the effects of amino acids on health are a matter of great importance, but this will surely be the subject of another article.

Why are they important?

Aging affects the function of endothelial cells in skeletal muscle, thereby reducing the delivery of dietary amino acids to skeletal muscle fibers.
In addition, it promotes anabolic endurance by altering the ability of amino acids, insulin, or muscle contraction to increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.

Anabolic resistance can originate with endothelial dysfunction and alteration of the supply of amino acids to skeletal muscle fibers, thus generating two distinct responses of lack of amino acids: decreased activity of rapamycin/mammalian mechanistic target complex 1 (mTORC1) and increased activity of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), which reduce muscle protein synthesis, causing muscle weakness and atrophy.

Potential therapeutic strategies include restoring amino acid delivery to aging skeletal muscle through increased physical activity, dietary proteins, pharmacological vasodilators, and/or small molecules that stimulate mTORC1 and/or inhibit ATF4 in aging skeletal muscle fibers https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2016.06.010

In the same vein, malnutrition and infections are major obstacles to survival, health, growth and reproduction.
This global concern has led to the development of nutritional immunology as a new scientific discipline that integrates research methodologies in nutrition and immunology to define the role of nutrients in the metabolism and function of immune system cells at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole-body levels.

Protein malnutrition reduces the concentrations of most amino acids in the plasma.
Findings from recent studies indicate an important role for amino acids in immune responses by regulating the activation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killers, and macrophages.
In addition, it participates in the cellular redox state, gene expression and proliferation of lymphocytes.

And, last but not least, the production of antibodies, cytokines and other cytotoxic substances.
There is increasing evidence showing that dietary supplementation of specific amino acids for humans with malnutrition and infectious diseases improves immune status, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.
Arginine, glutamine, and cysteine precursors are the best prototypes.
DOI:10.1017/S000711450769936X

The Role of Nitric Oxide and Arginine

Nitric oxide in the body plays a very important role, from maintaining vascular homeostasis and fighting infections to acting as a neurotransmitter and its role in cancer, which has aroused a lot of interest among researchers.
Nitric oxide plays an important role in the physiological modulation of coronary artery tone and myocardial function.
One of its variants, the inducible (iNOS) seems to be a key mediator of this glia-induced neuronal death.
The high sensitivity of neurons to nitric oxide is partly due to the fact that it causes inhibition of cellular respiration, rapid release of glutamate from both astrocytes and neurons, and subsequent cytotoxic death of neurons.
DOI: 10.2174/092986709788682155

Due to its ability to cause the generation of nitric oxide, arginine has been shown to be an important endothelial relaxation factor.
In addition, it mediates its effects through independent and nitric oxide-dependent pathways and that is why we see them related most of the time.
Arginine modulates the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, improves immune function in healthy and sick patients, stimulates wound healing in healthy and sick patients, and modulates carcinogenesis and tumor growth.
Arginine is therefore a biologically active dietary compound with numerous physiological and pharmacological activities. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403305

More functional actions of amino acids

Two groups of amino acids, aromatic and acidic, are thought to influence brain function when ingested with food and their levels change in the brain.
Aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine) are the biosynthetic precursors of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Meals, depending on their protein content, can quickly influence the absorption of aromatic amino acids in the brain and, as a result, directly modify their conversion into neurotransmitters.
Such alterations in the production of neurotransmitters can directly modify their release from neurons and thus influence brain function.

The amino acids glutamate and aspartate are themselves brain neurotransmitters, however, they do not have easy access to the brain and, as a result, the ingestion of proteins naturally rich in aspartate and glutamate, has no effect on the level of acidic amino acids in the brain.

On the other hand, there are theories claiming that the food additives monosodium glutamate and aspartame raise the level of acidic amino acids in the brain (when ingested in very large amounts), modify brain function, and even cause neuronal damage.
Despite such claims, a substantial body of published evidence clearly indicates that the brain is not affected by aspartame ingestion and that glutamate would only cause these effects when administered only in exaggeratedly large doses.
Therefore, when consumed in the diet, none of the compounds pose a risk to normal brain function. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-8223(94)92045-1

What amino acids are we talking about?

Our continuous research has led us to develop a product that contains key amino acids, which may have a functional correlate when ingested in supplement form.
Below, we leave you a list with a brief explanation of each one:

• · L-Arginine
• · Glycine
• · L-Ornithine
• · L-Lysine
• · L-Glutamine
• · L-Tryptophan

L-Arginine

It is a semi-essential amino acid, which means that the body can synthesize it, but supplementation is sometimes necessary, especially in certain health conditions.
It plays a critical role in the production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator that regulates blood flow and is essential for cardiovascular health.
In addition, L-arginine is a precursor to creatine, which is vital for muscle energy and performance.

Functional Application: L-arginine is crucial for the synthesis of growth hormone, insulin, and other important hormones.
Supports a healthy immune system and aids in wound healing.

Glycine

Glycine is the simplest amino acid and is known for its calming properties.
It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it helps reduce excitability in the nervous system.
Glycine is also a vital component of collagen, which is essential for the health of the skin, cartilage, and joints.

Functional Application: Glycine promotes a sense of calm and relaxation, making it beneficial for stress management.
It is involved in the synthesis of the heme group, an essential component of hemoglobin, and plays a vital role in the detoxification of the body.

L-Ornithine

It is a non-essential amino acid that plays a critical role in the urea cycle, a process that helps remove ammonia from the body.
This amino acid is often used in sports nutrition for its potential to reduce exercise-induced ammonia buildup.

Functional Application: L-ornithine is involved in the production of growth hormone and insulin.
It can help improve athletic performance and recovery.

L-Lysine

It is an essential amino acid that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through the diet.
It is integral to collagen formation, which is vital for skin, bones, and connective tissues.

Functional Application: L-lysine is involved in the synthesis of carnitine, a molecule necessary for the transport of fatty acids to the mitochondria for energy production.
It also plays a role in serotonin production, affecting mood and stress response.

L-Glutamine

It is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is a critical source of energy for immune cells and the digestive system.
It is essential for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining and supports proper bowel function.

Functional Application: L-glutamine is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, particularly glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
It is essential for immune system function and helps prevent muscle breakdown during periods of stress.

L-Tryptophan

It is also an essential amino acid and is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
It is often associated with a sense of calm and relaxation.

Functional Application: L-tryptophan is essential for the production of serotonin and melatonin, making it valuable for mood regulation and sleep quality.
It is sometimes used as a natural remedy for insomnia and mood disorders.

Conclusion

We are clear that amino acids are critical for human health.
In this review, we discuss the functional and perhaps not-so-well-known actions of these fundamental pillars of life.

There is still a lot of information to be collected, functions to be discovered and benefits to be elucidated, but what encourages us to continue is knowing that we have the scientific rigor and support of all our customers, readers and friends who encourage us to move forward.

We hope that this article has aroused your interest and, above all, many more questions, which will serve as an impetus to continue in development and research.