Protein

[Guest guest]

Dear Gang,

I read an interesting article on the Jon Baron newsletter so I

thought I would investigate further. I became interested because

Threonine helped my spasms so much.

Most MSers do not digest protein well. Instead of taking

supplements, Jon Barron suggests taking the most bio available

protein supplement –Rice and yellow pea protein. (surprisingly, not

all protein is bio-available) I know we are suppose to stay away

from legumes, but I am going to try it. Many of the symptoms are

familiar. I was wondering what everyone thought of them. I will let

you know how it goes.

Rice protein is high in cysteine and methionine, but tends to be low

in lysine. Yellow pea protein, on the other hand, tends to be low in

the sulfur containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine -- but

high in lysine.

Nine essential amino acids that your body cannot manufacture and must

be gotten from your diet:

1. Phenylalanine

2. Valine

3. Threonine

4. Tryptophan

5. Isoleucine

6. Methionine

7. Leucine

8. Lysine

9. Histidine (your body can manufacture histidine, but usually

not in sufficient amounts)

If your diet is chronically deficient in any one of the essential

amino acids, the building of protein in the body stops.

phenylalanine - deficiency include confusion, lack of energy,

decreased alertness, decreased memory, and diminished appetite.

Doses in excess of 5,000 mg a day may be toxic and can cause nerve

damage. High quantities of DL-phenylalanine may cause mild side

effects such as nausea, heartburn, and headaches.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/phenylalanine-000318.htm

Valine - deficiency results in negative hydrogen balance in the

body, deterioration of muscle function and mental health, insomnia,

and skin hypersensitivity. Some symptoms include loss of balance

during locomotion and susceptibility to irritation allergens.

Valine overdose leads to hallucination and crawling sensation on

skin, headaches, and emotional agitation. People with kidney or liver

disease should not consume high amounts of amino acids without

consulting their doctor.

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/amino-acids/valine.php

Threonine - Deficiency include: emotional agitation, mental health

deterioration, decreased digestion, intestinal malfunctions,

increased liver fat, deterioration of nutrient absorption, and

decreased protein uptake. An enzyme called serin, or threonine

dehydratas, necessary for the catabolism of threonine, diminishes

with age, causing clinical symptoms in the elderly. Most noted are

those of depression and immunosuppression. A threonine deficiency can

also result in extreme irritability -- seen in all age groups.

Threonine, as well as lysine, is deficient in most grains and

requires legumes to obtain a complete protein meal. Threonine is used

to treat indigestion and intestinal malfunctions, as well as in

preventing excessive liver fat. Nutrients are more readily absorbed

when threonine is present.

http://www.innvista.com/health/nutrition/amino/threonin.htm

Tryptophan - Because tryptophan supplies part of vitamin B3 in the

body, deficiency of tryptophan can increase risk of vitamin B3

deficiency. Deficiency of tryptophan in the diet enhances the

progress of the vitamin-deficiency disease pellagra. Tryptophan

deficiency is likely to occur in individuals with poor overall

protein intake. A deficiency of tryptophan may lead to depression,

insomnia, schizophrenia, suicidal thoughts and carbohydrate craving.

Combined with a shortage of magnesium, this deficiency may be a

contributing factor to heart artery spasms.

Tryptophan may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less

alert than they are normally. This medicine may cause dryness of the

mouth. Symptoms of tryptophan overdose include agitation, confusion,

diarrhea, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination,

restlessness, shivering, sweating, alking or acting with excitement

you cannot control, trembling or shaking, twitching, and vomiting.

Avoid combining l-tryptophan with other serotonin increasing agents

such as 5-HTP or SSRI drugs, such as Prozac, Paxil, etc.

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/amino-acids/tryptophan.php

Isoleucine - Deficiency is only found in people deficient in dietary

protein but symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue,

depression, confusion as well as irritability. Symptoms of deficiency

may mimic the symptoms of hypoglycemia. This nutrient has also been

found to be deficient in people with mental and physical disorders,

but more research is required on this. Toxicity - Consuming higher

amounts of isoleucine is not associated with any health risks for

most people but those with kidney or liver disease should not consume

high intakes of amino acids without medical advise. People ingesting

higher amounts of isoleucine report elevated urination.

http://www.anyvitamins.com/isoleucine-info.htm

Methionine - deficiency causes the liver to metabolize only

histidine to form, resulting in an incomplete form of folic acid.

Methionine deficiency can cause apathy, loss of pigmentation in hair,

edema, lethargy, liver damage, muscle loss, fat loss, skin lesions,

weakness, and slowed growth in children.

Toxicity - Excessive methionine intake, together with inadequate

intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, can increase the

conversion of methionine to homocysteine. Homocysteine is a

potentially harmful blood fat that has been linked to atherosclerosis

(hardening of the arteries). L-methionine supplementation should be

avoided by those with neoplastic disease and elevated homocysteine

levels and used with caution in those with coronary heart disease. L-

methionine supplements should be avoided by pregnant women and

nursing mothers unless they are prescribed by a physician. There are

no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with methionine.

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/amino-acids/methionine.php

Leucine - Deficiency occurs in individuals who are deficient in

dietary protein - symptoms are similar to hypoglycaemia and may

include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion

irritability

There has not been any consistent evidence that leucine supplements

have any toxicity. Although it is known that a high intake of leucine

may give rise to the disease pellagra and may increase the amount of

ammonia in the body.

http://www.vitalhealthzone.com/nutrition/amino-acids/leucine.html

Lysine deficiencies occur more often in people who do not consume any

animal products than in those who do. A lysine deficiency can occur

either by an inadequate dietary intake or by an excessive arginine

intake. Lysine deficiency can interfere with carnitine synthesis and

have adverse impact upon fat metabolism to energy. A lysine

deficiency may also lead to calcium loss, which could increase your

risk of developing osteoporosis. Deficiency include fatigue, nausea,

dizziness, loss of appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes, slow growth,

anemia, and reproductive disorders.

Lysine supplements are considered safe and nontoxic. Side effects

have not been reported with the use of lysine, although very high

doses (more than 10 grams a day) may cause gastrointestinal

symptoms, such as nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Lysine must be used

with care in supplement form when taking antibiotics. In very large

doses (10 to 30 grams a day), lysine increases the toxicity of

aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, neomycin, and

streptomycin. Don't drink milk at the same time you take lysine.

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/amino-acids/lysine.php

Histine - A deficiency can cause pain in the bony joints. A low urine

concentration of histidine has been reported to accompany rheumatoid

arthritis.

Histidine Side Effects - Precautions

Taken orally, histidine has a tendency to stimulate hydrochloric acid

secretion in the stomach. Thus persons who already suffer from

overabundance of acid in the stomach and those who have ulcers should

avoid taking pure histidine.

http://www.supplement-directory.com/article/Histidine%20Benefits%20-%

20Histidine%20Deficiency%20-%20Histidine%20Sources/

With much love,

Lydia