AMINO ACID THERAPY FOR HEPATITIS C

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AMINO ACID THERAPY FOR HEPATITIS C

from http://www.healthyhepper.com/aminoacids.htm

WHAT ARE AMINO ACIDS? AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT TO THOSE WITH HEPATITIS C (HCV)?

Amino acids are the " building blocks " of protein, protein is necessary

to sustain life. Since the liver plays an important role in

assimilating amino acids, poor liver function (as can be caused by

hepatitis C) can affect overall levels negatively.

" Amino Acid Therapy " is a branch of medicine that is used for all kinds

of disorders and disease. Dolan explains the overall importance

of amino acids with respect to Hepatitis C patients and the idea behind

a therapy that emphasizes amino acid therapy, " ... it is founded on

the belief that some individuals or sections of the population have

imbalanced amino acid profiles that are associated with ill health. The

aim of the therapy is the correction of these imbalances... it appears

that HCV patients constitute a group with a serious pattern of

deficiency. " It is thought by therapists that correcting the deficiency

and maintaining the proper balance of amino acids can assist in healing

Hepatitis C and improvement in health.

Here is a condensed list of facts about the functions of amino acid and

their importance in the body (for a more detailed explanation of these

refer to the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing by F

Balch):

Proteins are chains of amino acids linked together by what are called peptide bonds

Each protein in the body is tailored for a specific need and they are not interchangeable

Proteins that make up the human body are not obtained directly from

diet. Protein from the diet is broken down into amino acids which the

body uses to build the specific proteins it needs.

Amino acids enable vitamins and minerals to perform their functions.

Vitamins and minerals that are absorbed and assimilated into the body

they cannot be effective unless the necessary amino acids are present.

The liver produces about 80% of the amino acids needed. The remaining 20% must be obtained by the diet.

Essential amino acids must enter the body through diet, whereas

nonessential amino acids can be manufactured by the body from other

amino acids obtained from dietary sources.

Nonessential amino acids does not mean they unnecessary, it means the body manufactures them.

The phrase branched-chain amino acids or BCAA is sometimes used to

refer to the amino acids having aliphatic side-chains that are

non-linear. These are leucine, isoleucine and valine.

If even one essential amino acid is missing, the body cannot continue proper protein synthesis

Even if you have a well balanced diet that contains enough protein,

there are many factors that can contribute to deficiencies of amino

acids: impaired absorption, stress, drug use, age, infection among

others.

Having a high protein diet is not the answer to getting more amino acids, since excess protein puts stress on the liver.

You can get amino acids from various multivitamin formulas, protein

mixtures, food supplements and amino acid formulas. The majority of

amino acid supplements are derived from animal protein, yeast protein,

or vegetable protein.

Some amino acids are NOT available from vegetable protein. Therefore,

if you are a vegan or vegetarian, you are more susceptible to amino

acid deficiency because protein in plant sources doesn't contain all

the amino acids that your body needs.

Amino acid therapy is thought to be helpful in improving the health of

those living with Hepatitis C and it is also used by some for reducing

depression and anxiety.

Review of research shows, " Branched Chain Amino Acid

(BCAA)supplementation appears to be associated with decreased frequency

of complications of cirrhosis and improved nutritional status when

prescribed as maintenance therapy [for those with liver disease] " .

THE SENILITY PRAYER :Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,

The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and The eyesight to tell the difference