March 18, 2020
Amino acids have important roles in the body, such as intermediates in metabolism, catalysts for most of the important reactions in living cells, as well as regulation of the immune system.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs which protect the human body against attack from foreign bodies, which could potentially lead to illness and disease. It is designed to defend against a wide variety of pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses.
Did you know: amino acids play a key role in regulating the body’s immune response? A deficiency of dietary protein or amino acids has long been known to impair immune function and increase the susceptibility of humans to infectious disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17403271). The lack of protein adversely affects the immune system and its ability to respond to foreign bodies. However, supplementation of certain amino acids can significantly increase one’s capacity to resist infections as well as heal from them. This supplementation, or, “immunonutrition,” assists the optimal synthesis and concentration of a variety of immune related proteins (including cytokines and antibodies). The amino acids feed into and impact the regulation of key metabolic pathways in immune cells, balancing and boosting the immune system.
Why Total Amino Solution™? The value of using our complete amino acid supplement is to ensure all of the essential amino acids are available when they are needed. The amino acids found in Total Amino Solution™ are in the most rapidly absorbed form, ready to supply the essential elements to restore and maintain our body’s immune response. Unlike amino acids derived from food sources, the free-form pharmaceutical grade amino acids used to make Total Amino Solution™ require no digestion. Absorption is rapid and complete. The immunonutrition is available in your bloodstream within 20 minutes of ingestion, helping to build your immune defense against unwanted bacteria and viruses.
December 2, 2019
The holidays are a glorious time for us to celebrate with our families and friends. With the seasonal changes, the holidays themselves, and the New Year, there is much to be thankful for. Yet, in the middle of the season, we may find ourselves over stimulated and exhausted. Many of these physical and emotional symptoms are messages telling us something is out of balance. This year, why not consider some new strategies to cope with the seasonal changes?
Amino Acids and Stress
Some primary reasons people take an amino acid blend are to calm stress, to balance the brain and nervous system, to strengthen the immune system, to stabilize blood sugar concerns, and to increase the body’s endorphins, which serves to decrease physical and emotional pain.
To understand how amino acid deficiency exacerbates mood, sleep and stress disturbances, it is important to understand how the brain affects our emotional and mental health. The primary neurotransmitters that maintain healthy brain functions are:
⇒ Serotonin - for mood stabilization, sleep and carbohydrate cravings
⇒ GABA - a natural tranquilizer for relaxing the nervous system
⇒ Dopamine and norepinephrine - offer the brain increased energy and focus
A complete blend of free form amino acids enters your blood stream within 20 minutes of ingestion. This rapid rate of entry has an immediate therapeutic effect. Stress and tension from seasonal changes and holiday pressures can cause the body to use more nutrients than normal. A complete amino acid blend can rapidly offer necessary nutrients, coming to aid your body with the nutrients it demands for seasonal balance.
For many of us, sleep disturbances also increase with seasonal changes, and our mood balance can suffer. Among the amino acids essential for good sleep is tryptophan, an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which in turn is the precursor to melatonin—a neural regulator that promotes deep, prolonged sleep. As evening falls and light gets dim, the body has an innate mechanism that transforms serotonin into melatonin and initiates sleep. Many people who supplement with tryptophan find it alone is a good sleep aid, but of course, it does not substitute for the functions of the other amino acids.
Healthy Holiday Strategies and Lifestyle
Avoiding stimulants like coffee and desensitizers like sugar, alcohol, and nicotine is recommended for those experiencing holiday stress. It is best to stick with a good diet, and to exercise regularly, while limiting nuances that may result in more anxiety. Exercise stimulates endorphins, our natural painkillers, and promotes more oxygen and fuel to the brain, enabling us to focus and make better decisions.
Vitamin D and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Lastly, high doses of vitamin D during the winter months have proven in several studies to be a very effective natural remedy for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Sunlight on the skin is an essential part of our natural way of synthesizing vitamin D. Thus, with short dark days plus heavy clothing, we make far less in winter and our reserves can become depleted. Fortunately, vitamin D can be supported by eating foods like cod liver oil that contain high levels naturally, or by taking nutritional supplements.
Sunlight also influences the mood-regulating hormone already mentioned: melatonin. Melatonin helps
modulate our circadian (day/night) rhythms, with darkness triggering melatonin secretion by the pineal gland within the brain, bringing us down gently at night for sleep. Sunlight shuts off melatonin production, bringing us up for daytime activity. If the day/night melatonin cycle is disrupted, insomnia, mood swings and food cravings may follow. Getting some sunlight early in the day can greatly help in restoring that cycle.
Of course, many factors work to brighten our mood. Amino acids, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, exercise, getting outdoors and enjoying sensible sun exposure are just a few strategic choices we can make to combat holiday stress. Enjoy!
Dr. Dan Smith, D.C.
References:
1. Braverman, Eric R. MD. The Healing Nutrients Within. Basic Health Publications; 2003.
2. Safe Harbor. The Role of Diet in Mental Health. 2012.
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/dietcure.htm
3. Florey, E. (1991). GABA: history and perspectives. Can J Physiol Pharmacol
4. Cass, Hyla, MD,. Tryptopure Enhances Mood, Relaxation And Sleep. www.totalhealthmagazine.com.
5. Lansowne AT, Provost SC: Vitamin D3 enhances mood in healthy subjects during winter.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1998, 135:319-323.
. . . without performance enhancing drugs
October 1, 2019
With school back in session, and team sports getting underway, high school and college athletes are looking for ways to perform at their very best on the playing field. Under pressure to excel, they put a huge demand on their growing bodies. And while their appetites are hearty, they may not be getting the nutrition they need from food alone to build speed, strength and endurance.
That may lead some kids to try performance enhancing drugs. Well-known steroids researcher Dr. Charles Ysalis and sports psychologist Dr. Michael S. Bahrke, cite studies that report that 3-12% of adolescent males admit to using [anabolic steroids] at some time during their life. (And who knows how many don’t admit it.)
My goal is to help prevent the use of these drugs in young athletes (or any athletes for that matter). So what’s the solution?
Nutritional support for enhanced focus, endurance and energy
For anyone who wants to enhance their athletic performance using only natural products, I developed a nutraceutical called Clean Sport® SUPPORT.
The ingredients include:
• Rhodiola Rosea, an herb that’s been shown to support physical and mental performance while reducing fatigue
• Acetyl L-Carnitine, an amino acid that promotes natural energy production and enhanced focus
• Vitamins D3 and K2 (MK-7), natural partners that work together to facilitate the absorption of calcium into the bones
This unique blend of nutrients works synergistically to boost focus, endurance and energy for all levels of fitness. A 16-year-old basketball player reports that since using Clean Sport® Support, he has sustained energy on the court, and he doesn't feel as winded after his mile run.
My advice to young athletes?
• Practice, practice, practice
• Eat a healthy diet
• Get plenty of sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Take high-quality nutritional supplements
Add preventive chiropractic care to the mix and you’ve got the formula for success. Should an injury occur, chiropractic in addition to medical care can help speed healing.
Dr. Dan Smith, D.C.