Read on for our continued review of the important amino acids found in amaranth. In total, the “grain of God” includes 18 amino acids, among which there are irreplaceable ones and those that are synthesized in the body under certain physiological conditions. But we will focus on those, the percentage of which in amaranth is greater than in many other food products. The first part on this topic is in the previous article.
7. Lysine.
One of the most important essential proteinogenic amino acids, which plays an important role for a growing body. Lysine is involved in the formation of bones, so foods with its content should be in the children’s diet. In addition, lysine is becoming a valuable ingredient in the fight against viral infections. It helps fight off seasonal respiratory illness. In pharmaceuticals, it is prescribed to combat herpes and against the manifestations of osteoporosis. Lysine is involved in the creation of antibodies, enzymes and improves the chemical composition of the blood. This amino acid is one of the factors in the rejuvenation of human organs, and in particular of the skin, because it prevents insufficient production of collagen. After a long workout, athletes should consume foods with a high ratio of this chemical for quick muscle recovery. Our body absorbs lysine from animal products such as fish, red meat, and eggs. It is also present in plant foods – soybeans, potatoes and amaranth. The daily norm for lysine for humans is from 1 to 3 grams. Just so much of it is contained in 170-400 grams of amaranth cereal.
8. Phenylalanine
It also belongs to essential amino acids and, of course, takes part in the synthesis of proteins and neurotransmitters. Therefore, products containing phenylalanine should be used for the formation of muscle tissues, for strengthening memory and for various types of intellectual work. This amino acid has a positive effect on the mental state, therefore, artificial drugs of phenylalanine are prescribed for depression and apathy. The light analgesic effect makes it possible to overcome pain arising from psychosomatic disorders. Phenylalanine performs such a difficult task, because it participates in the production of the hormone of happiness – dopamine. And when a person feels more cheerful, then the state of health improves. The results of optimal amino acid intake are especially pleasing for those with chronic diseases. Amaranth grain, in addition to a large set of useful chemical trace elements, also has this wonderful amino acid – about 0.5 g per 100 gm. A fairly high figure, although fish, red caviar, dairy products and hard cheeses are considered traditional sources of phenylalanine. There is a hypothesis, which still needs additional scientific research, that this substance speeds up metabolism and helps to reduce appetite in people who actively exercise.
9. Arginine
This amino acid is also known as L-arginine and is very well known among doctors who prescribe artificial analogs to solve various health problems in their patients. Despite the availability of biological additives “L-arginine”, the human body can get it from many food products: meat, eggs, walnuts, milk, rice, legumes, buckwheat and wheat groats and, of course, amaranth grain. The daily norm of amino acids fluctuates – relative to age, physical and mental stress, seasonal periods of the year, when energy consumption increases to fight immunity against viral infections and temperature changes. But in any case, an adult should receive up to 6 grams of arginine daily. It is very easy to count the presence of arginine when consuming amaranth dishes – for every 100 grams of cereals, leaves or oil, there is about 1 gram of arginine. The chemical compound improves: endurance when playing sports; the condition of people with problems of pressure surges – normalizes blood flow; mental and physical development of children; general condition in pregnant women; at critical moments associated with injuries and various diseases, it even increases athletic performance in competitions. Interesting fact: L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid, because at a difficult time for the body, cells independently synthesize this unique substance to fill its sharp deficiency.
10. Glutamic acid
(S) -2-aminopentanedioic acid is the chemical name for a healthy and tasty ingredient. And this acid, perhaps, is known to every housewife in the kitchen, and not only to chemists, doctors or students studying biology. Indeed, many spices are added with the compound “monosodium glutamate”, which is a traditional flavor enhancer. In the production of food, an artificially created analogue of glutamic acid is often added, therefore, probably, modern mankind receives it in large quantities. But the need for it is also rather big: our body is waiting for this biological component 16 grams per day, or – 25% of all the necessary amino acids. There is glutamic acid in amaranth cereals, flakes, herbs and cold-pressed amaranth oil. This substance is needed by almost all systems of the human body, but most of all – for blood plasma, brain, muscles and nervous system. Acid stimulates redox processes in the brain, takes part in the normalization of metabolism, is a prophylactic agent for hypoxia, removes excess ammonia and performs many other important functions.
11. Serine
It is also a very important chemical compound. It is involved in the creation of proteins and belongs to aliphatic oxymonoaminocarboxylic acids in the general classification of amino acids. It should be noted that serine degrades when heated, so it is best used in foods that do not require cooking. To get this amino acid from amaranth, add its leaves to salads or use fresh amaranth oil. Serine is produced by the body and independently, provided there is a sufficient amount of proteins in the human diet. It is a multifunctional component that performs unique tasks for our body: it is responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain; acts as a mild pain reliever and generally improves intellectual ability; takes part in the assimilation of vitamins and other microelements in the intestine; in synthetic form it is used to treat mental illness and disorders; restores skin and bone tissue; has an anti-aging effect. Since serine is offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers, it sometimes has contraindications. Therefore, it is better to get it from natural food sources, which, first of all, are amaranth products.
In addition to amino acids, given in two parts of our materials (article on this topic, part I – by reference), there are other substances of this group in amaranth, no less important and necessary for people of any age. Read the list of all the chemicals included in amaranth and you will be convinced that this is a real green pharmacy that saturates our body with everything it needs for a long and healthy life.
