Heal with Amino Acids and Nutrients: A Self-Help Guide for Common Health Problems Using Amino Acids and Natural Remedies--What to Use and When by Birkner Katherine M. & Sahley Billie J

Author:Birkner, Katherine M. & Sahley, Billie J. [Birkner, Katherine M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

As a person ages, their ability to digest proteins diminishes. The amount of stomach acid-and protein-digesting enzymes decreases. Up to 30% of people over 60 do not secrete any stomach acid. Since most people over 60 have a decreased ability to digest proteins, and proteins are broken down into amino acids, then supplementation with amino acids will provide a base to cover the essential amino acids needed by the body. Since enzymes decrease with age, a pancreatin supplement with each meal facilitates the digestion of foods.

The digestion and elimination process slows down as we age. Poor appetite is a common complaint, due to many factors. Salivary secretion decreases by 50 to 60%. Loss of teeth, or gum disease, makes chewing more difficult and painful. Constipation may result from decreased fluid intake, lack of fiber, little or no exercise, and decreased intestinal motility.

Probably one of the most apparent changes occurs in the skin. The skin loss of resiliency and wrinkling becomes very evident. The skin becomes drier, thinner, more fragile, and less elastic.

The bones begin to break down through bone demineralization, reduced exercise and activity, and loss of calcium from kidneys and intestines. The loss of height becomes apparent in many seniors. The mineral loss in bones makes the bones more fragile and brittle. Sometimes the bones break, causing a fall.

Nutritional status influences all parts of the nervous system. The neurotransmitters regulate the physiological processes, and the way the brain processes information relates to our nutritional status. In several studies done on individuals 65 and over, the results indicate cognitive tasks corresponded to the nutritional status of the individual.

Alterations in psychological and neurophysiological performances occur when a person is deprived of, or low in, the B vitamins. As an example, acetylcholine derives from the B complex vitamin, choline. Inadequate amounts of choline can affect the synthesis, release, and metabolism of acetylcholine, and alter nerve function. Serotonin, an inhibitory neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan, decreases with age. Conversely, the catecholamine family—epinephrine, norepinephrine, and the neurotransmitters derived from phenylalanine or tyrosine—decreases with aging. These changes can produce mood swings, depression, and sleep-pattern alterations. The nutritional status based on a person’s unique genetic needs, determines cognitive and behavioral functioning.

In the past decade researchers have realized the relationship between the activity and function of the nervous system to the availability and metabolic activity of various nutrient-derived substances, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other conditionally essential nutrients such as carnitine, taurine, and glutamine.

Function, Cognition, and Behavior Influenced by Nutrients

Nutrient Influence

Taurine Seizures

Carnitine Cognition, depression

Phenylalanine Catecholamines, dopamine, depression

5-HTP Sleep, serotonin, neurotransmitters

(Tryptophan)

Thiamin (B1) Carbohydrate sensitivity

Riboflavin (B2) Neurotransmitter control, neuropathy

Niacin (B3) Dementia

Pyridoxine (B6) Neurotransmitter cofactor

Cobalamin (B12) Dementia

Folic Acid Dementia

Choline Memory, acetylcholine synthesis

Inositol Peripheral neuropathy

Pantothenic Acid Fatigue

Vitamin E Parkinson’s disease

Iron Neurophysiological problems

Magnesium Sleep disturbances, nervous exhaustion

Zinc Smell, taste

Copper Neurotransmitter control, RBC formation

Between 50 to 60% of the brain is fat. This fat is not stagnant. Replacement of this fat occurs at the rate of 2 to 8% per day for DHA and 3 to 5% for arachidonic acid (AA).

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