The What, Where, How, When and Why: Amino Acids

I have grown increasingly intrigued by oral and injectible amino acid therapy ever since stumbling upon lessflexible.com. Amino acids are complicated and I don't claim to know the first thing about them, but I do wonder if they could help improve the strength of our stretchy connective tissues as they did in one young woman's experience. She claims she is less flexible since starting a carefully tailored and administered amino acid therapy regime with her doctor. I would love to be less flexible, as would most EDS sufferers. Amino acid therapy an area that I believe warrants further research in relationship to connective tissue disorders. I am happy to welcome guest blogger Martina from Gracewell Healthcare who graciously tackled the basics of amino acids. 

Essential Amino Acids	Non-essential amino acids
Histidine	Alanine
Isoleucine	Arginine
Leucine	Asparagine
Lysine	Aspartic Acid
Methionine	Cysteine
Phenylalanine	Glutamic Acid
Threonine	Glutamine
Tryptophan	Glycine
Valine	Proline
	Serine
	Tyrosine

The What, Where, How, When and Why: Amino Acids

This guest guest post was generously contributed by Gracewell Healthcare

What: They Are/The Benefits of Them

Amino acids consist of a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. The human body naturally stores twenty of these acids. However, another nine must be obtained from food sources. It is absolutely essential that we have every single one of the amino acids, as they each perform a special function. In general terms they combine to form proteins, which are important for the building and maintenance of muscles and processing of the brain. Amino acids have also been found to play a role in weight reduction.

Where: To Find Them

There are a wide range of foods and drinks that are high in protein. Meats such as pork and beef fall under this category and contain the complete variety of amino acids. Less fattening alternatives such as fish and chicken are also complete amino sources. Those individuals who refuse to consume meat or dairy products can still maintain the protein levels by eating vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Health experts advise the consumption of at least 60g of proteins every single day. Some people may even opt to maintain the healthy diet with supplements.

How: To Consume/Recognise/Identify Them

In scientific terms amino acids are formed from a central carbon atom, to which the Carboxlyic acid, Hydrogen, Amino and variable 'R' groups are attached. Amino acids can join together in the formation of dipeptides and polypeptides. They have fairly complex names such as phenylalanine, which is known as a provider of energy and tryptophan, which can combat sleep deprivation and depression. As previously mentioned, the standard amino acids form part of our natural DNA structure. The essential amino acids must be consumed as food or drink.

When: They Come Into Play/Their Function in the Human Body

A high profile scientist by the name of Dr. Elson Haas has stated that around one fifth of the human body is made up of proteins. They are a major constituent part of the eyes, skin, muscle and brain. Without these proteins human beings wouldn't exist. Apart from keeping us alive the proteins and amino acids that they are made up from play a key role in the processing of messages from the brain and generation of energy. People who are unable to maintain their amino acid levels may experience depression, insomnia and extreme lethargy.

Why: They Are Important

It is essential that humans consume foods and drinks containing amino acids on a daily basis. That's because the body uses them in a variety of means, including the building of organ and muscle tissue and development of hormones such as adrenaline. It is definitely worth taking supplements that include vital aminos such as Threonine, which prevents the onset of illness and disease, and  Leucine, which allows for the processing of vitamins, minerals and protein. Anybody who fears that they may not be consuming enough amino acids or requires assistance on the selection of supplements is advised to see a medical expert. 

Fall Update

I love the fall. It is definitely my favorite season. We had been spoiled with pacific northwest sunshine and perfect crisp fall weather until a couple days ago when things took a turn for the worse and the rain set in. And when I say rain I don't mean light showers. I mean monsoons that result in massive puddles and darkness all day. Don't get me wrong, we desperately needed the rain because of all the forest fires we'd had lately. The air is much cleaner now that it's rained and I'm breathing easier because of it. Pesky sinus problems had been plaguing me pretty badly in September. I despise sinus headaches. (Any readers out there have any natural remedies for sinusitis? Not a big fan of antibiotics...)

But other than sinus issues that things have been looking up health-wise. Physical therapy is going well and I am blessed to be working with therapists who are familiar with both TMJD and EDS. Don't get me wrong, I still have aches and pains, but I haven't been dependent on round-the-clock tylenol as I had previously been. I have also discontinued taking 1/2 a flexeril at bedtime because it was giving me tachycardia all day long as a side effect or reaction. Most prescription drugs seem to disagree with my constitution. I had also grown tired of the daily tylenol for months on end. Especially after Dr. Oz mentioned how over-the-counter analgesics like tylenol and ibuprofen can lead to hearing loss after longterm use. Considering that my grandpa has better hearing than I do, it's probably not a bad idea to cut way back on the Tylenol consumption. My ears ring a bit and my grandparents both insist that I'm hard of hearing. Perhaps it's just because I prefer not to have to strain to hear the television. Or maybe being front row at all those concerts as a teen wasn't such a good idea after all. Or maybe it really is the years of chronic Tylenol use. But I have noticed the need to turn up the volume on my iPod lately.

I attribute my pain relief and improved POTS symptoms to two things. The first is that I have begun taking a multivitamin, extra C, and cod liver oil which has helped A TON with joint pain. I have also begun researching amino acid therapy after being inspired by what I read on lessflexible.com. A woman with EDS began an injectible amino-acid regime (monitored by a physician of course) and explained how it helped her become less flexible in regards to her hypermobility form of EDS (the same type I am afflicted with). I need to do a bit more research before delving into the complicated world of supplements but her personal experience sounds promising and may very well hold some validity.

The second is that the barometric pressure has been high and stable (with the exception of the barometer falling the past few days). I definitely tend to have more controlled symptoms when it is sunny but not hot and coincidentally when the barometric pressure is high and consistent. Like wearing a giant compression stocking. Thus a controlled, comfortable environment is very helpful for controlling POTS symptoms.

The fall has been filled with appointments. Trying to get well has become a full-time job. I am trying to fit in a bunch of random appointments before the new year since my deductible has finally been met. This means I will be continuing with physical therapy, a few more acupuncture sessions, adding massage and hopefully some counseling too. My EP also wants me to go to the autonomic testing lab at the university for autonomic testing and see one of their EDS specialists as soon as possible. I still have not proceeded with the upright MRI of my brain and spine as I am scared of what the results could show. I am also seeing a sleep specialist and an ENT before the end of the year. Too. Many. Appointments. But it beats having to pay for them next year so I am trying to be diligent and put in the time and effort to hopefully improve more of my symptoms. Fingers crossed for some decent doctors who aren't jerks and don't waste my time. On that note, I am digging the lyrics to Sara Bareilles' song, 'King of Anything.' Remind you of interactions with clueless know-it-all doctors much?