As a healthcare practitioner, you may have come across claims about Essential Aminos from LifeWorks Nutritionals and have questions about their validity. Not all proteins are equal. Different proteins provide varying amounts of usable protein per gram once digested and absorbed.
For instance, consuming 1 gram of protein from whey does not provide the same amount of usable protein for muscle or bone building compared to 1 gram of protein from whole eggs. The notion that we receive 4 calories for every gram of protein consumed is a misconception. Understanding calories beyond the scientific community is crucial for comprehending their role in muscle gain, energy, and body fat.
Calories are not substances but rather a measurement of energy production. They quantify the amount of energy produced when a gram of carbohydrate, protein, or fat is broken down and burned as fuel to create energy. When we consume carbohydrates, they are primarily used to produce energy immediately or stored as glycogen or body fat for future energy needs. However, proteins and fats have different fates. Fats are used to build cells or hormones, while proteins are utilized for muscle repair, cell growth, and other important bodily functions. As a result, proteins do not contribute significantly to energy production, and therefore, the concept of calories associated with protein intake becomes less relevant.
Essential Aminos provide a source of pure essential amino acids that are highly utilized (99%) for synthesizing new protein in the human body, resulting in minimal calories (less than one calorie for every five grams). It is further enhanced with nucleic acid building blocks, the foundations of our DNA and RNA, helping to direct the process of protein synthesis at the genetic level and support genetic health and performance.
To address this, we need to delve into what protein actually is and what occurs when it enters our bodies.
Understanding Protein: Amino Acids and Protein Synthesis
Proteins are not standalone entities; they are composed of smaller molecules called amino acids. A protein consists of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds. Collagen, often misunderstood as something distinct, is simply a type of protein.
Out of approximately 500 known amino acids, only around 20 are utilized by the human body for protein synthesis. To create a protein, these amino acids are linked together in long chains that can contain hundreds or thousands of amino acids. These chains then fold into complex shapes. Each protein can have varying types and quantities of amino acids, which give them unique functions within the body.
The Importance of Essential Amino Acids
There are two main types of amino acids: Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) and Non-Essential Amino Acids. EAAs are amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, necessitating their acquisition from external protein sources. Non-Essential Amino Acids, on the other hand, can be synthesized by the body.
However, it is crucial to note that non-essential amino acids are produced using essential amino acids. Without all the essential amino acids, the body cannot synthesize proteins. Even the absence of a single essential amino acid can hinder protein synthesis. This amino acid, known as the "limiting" amino acid, restricts the utilization of other essential amino acids for protein synthesis. Therefore, the widely promoted Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) cannot effectively build new protein on their own, as all essential amino acids are required.
Optimal Essential Amino Acid Ratios for Protein Synthesis
The body not only requires all essential amino acids for protein synthesis but also demands them in precise ratios to one another. Scientists have extensively studied these ratios. If any essential amino acid is lacking or present in insufficient quantities, it limits the utilization of other essential amino acids for protein synthesis.
Food proteins vary greatly in the concentration and bioavailability of essential amino acids. To achieve normal growth and maintain health, all amino acids (essential, conditionally essential, and non-essential) must be provided in appropriate quantity and form. This aspect, known as availability or bioavailability, is critical to understand because it determines the nutritional quality of proteins.
Differences in Protein Utilization and Caloric Output
Protein digestion and absorption transform protein into individual amino acids, which are released into the bloodstream. These amino acids are then absorbed by cells throughout the body and used to synthesize new proteins as required.
However, excess essential and non-essential amino acids are not stored for later use. Instead, they undergo processes such as gluconeogenesis, where amino acids are converted into glucose or ketones, or they are decomposed. This excess amino acid breakdown results in energy production, which can be measured in terms of calories.
The precise measurement of protein utilization and caloric output can be achieved by analyzing nitrogen output. Amino acids contain nitrogen, which is released when amino acids are catabolized (broken down). By comparing the nitrogen content in a protein source before and after consumption, we can determine the percentage of protein used for protein synthesis versus the amount that is converted to energy.
Essential Aminos: Optimized Amino Acid Profile for Protein Synthesis
Essential Aminos from LifeWorks Nutritionals offer a proprietary amino acid profile that provides the exact ratio of essential amino acids necessary for efficient protein synthesis in the human body. With minimal excess amino acids, Essential Aminos offer less than one calorie for every five grams consumed. Additionally, Essential Aminos are further enhanced with nucleic acid building blocks, the foundations of our DNA and RNA, helping to direct the process of protein synthesis at the genetic level and support genetic health and performance. Comparing the amino acid profiles of Essential Aminos with other protein sources allows us to calculate the amount of amino acids used for protein synthesis versus those converted to energy.
For example, whole hen eggs contain 48% essential amino acids in the correct ratio for protein synthesis, resulting in an effective caloric measurement of 2.08 calories per gram. Whey protein, on the other hand, contains only 18% essential amino acids in the correct ratio, leading to an effective caloric measurement of 3.28 calories per gram. BCAAs, which lack the full spectrum of essential amino acids, are entirely excess amino acids subject to deamination and cannot build new proteins.
Essential Aminos' optimized amino acid profile ensures nearly zero excess amino acids, allowing for minimal caloric output. This can be measured through nitrogen output analysis.
Choosing the Right Protein Source
It is evident that not all proteins are equal when it comes to their utilization for protein synthesis and their caloric output. Understanding the role of essential amino acids and their ratios is crucial in determining the effectiveness of protein sources for building new proteins in the body. Essential Aminos from LifeWorks Nutritionals provide a highly efficient amino acid profile, resulting in minimal excess and caloric output, and are enhanced with nucleic acid building blocks to support genetic health and performance.
As healthcare practitioners, it is important to consider these factors when advising patients about protein intake and its impact on their health and fitness goals.