Amino Acid Absorption And Indigestion

By Robin Weiske in Nutrition on March 8th, 2008

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by Steve Pallovy

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and of life itself. They make up 75% of the body and are essential for every function in the body. Ten of the twenty essential amino acids come from the food we eat, while the rest are produced naturally in the body.

To list just a few of the twenty amino acids, one should note that histidine is essential for the regrowth of tissue, lysine assists with the absorption of calcium, leucine keeps control of blood sugar, methionine breaks fat levels down, and phenylalanine works on the functions of the nerves and memory.

When the digestive system is not working properly, there are several ways in which we will become aware of this condition. Heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion are some of the more common effects which can cause quite a bit of discomfort. It has now been discovered that the underproduction of HCL acid can actually be the cause of indigestion.

The underproduction of HCL acid is technically known as achlorhydria. When this is present, undigested food just lies in the stomach and rots and can be a cause of acid reflux. It is quite disgusting really, but the food left to rot will cause bloating, burping and the food will eventually be pushed back up to the esophagus. If the amino acids essential for you to feel your best are being produced due to your food not being broken down properly, you will know about this by having bad breath, burping excessively, or a heavy feeling after eating. Other symptoms include nausea, diarrhea or constipation

The reasons why your digestive system may not be working properly are plenty. Your body may not be picking up the chemical signals which promote body waste removal, amino acid absorption and protein and mineral uses.

Body chemicals can be affected by heavy duty workouts or stress — which seems to command all of your body’s attention, thus taking it away from other processes that may need neurotransmitters. Age also naturally diminishes hydrochloric acid production : a 65 year old individual has only 15% of the HCl that he or she had at the age of 35. Sleep deprivation, eating disorders and a poor diet can also affect digestion in significant ways.

Drugs like Prilosec, which has been the top selling prescription medication in recent years, appeal to us by promising to stop acid production, even though acid production is a much needed natural process. While these drugs provide temporary relief, they still don’t deal with the underlying issue - that the body simply isn’t digesting foods properly and therefore is not generating the necessary amino acids that it requires for proper functioning.

Many people choose to take amino acids in supplement form to regulate their digestive processes. These supplements act as a boost to the removal of waste and control stomach acid production as well as the absorption of minerals. The body is after all like an intricate machine and needs the proper mix of nutrients to function well.

About the Author:

Steve Pallovy has done research and written articles on nutrition and dieting for several years. Learn more about amino acid supplements at Simplygreatnutrition.com