Author: Andrea Barrett | Registered Holistic Nutritionist
About Andrea Barrett | Registered Holistic Nutritionist
Andrea is a freelance health and wellness writer and registered holistic nutritionist. She has a BA in Communication Studies from McMaster University and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Aspartate or aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid synthesized in the body from oxaloacetate and glutamate. Some rodent research has shown that D-aspartic acid (DAA) benefits nervous system activity, hormone synthesis and release, and male fertility, but human studies are limited. Quick Look What Is Aspartate Amino Acid? Aspartate, or aspartic acid, is a […]
Read More… from What Is Aspartate Amino Acid? Your Guide to Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a synthetic acetylated variant and precursor to the non-essential amino acid L-cysteine. Its primary role is as an antioxidant and precursor to the antioxidant glutathione. Research suggests NAC supplementation could benefit exercise performance, lung diseases, psychiatric illnesses, neurodegenerative diseases, and more due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Quick Look […]
Read More… from N-Acetyl Cysteine Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide to Amino Acid Uses, Dosage, Risks, and Side Effects
Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid synthesized de novo in small amounts. Under certain physiological conditions, such as pregnancy and growth, it becomes dietarily essential and can be obtained from cheese, poultry, wheat germ, and more. Cysteine is necessary for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, male fertility, respiratory health, blood sugar regulation, and cancer […]
Read More… from What Is Cysteine? Health Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects
Amino acids can be categorized based on their affinity to form hydrogen bonds with highly polar water molecules. Hydrophobic molecules have a low affinity to water, whereas hydrophilic molecules have a high affinity to bond with water. Glycine is a hydrophobic amino acid due to its single hydrogen atom R-group, which is nonpolar. Quick Look […]
Read More… from Is Glycine Hydrophobic?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized in the body. It must come through supplements or diet. As a largely nonpolar amino acid, tryptophan has an aromatic side chain, showing its hydrophobic nature. Quick Look What Is Tryptophan? With a molecular weight of 204.22 g/mol and a molecular formula of C11H12N2O2, tryptophan […]
Read More… from Is Tryptophan Polar or Nonpolar?
Cysteine is a sulfur-containing proteinogenic amino acid that is conditionally essential. Cystine is an amino acid composed of two cysteine molecules. Cysteine is commonly found in dietary supplements and has good bioavailability, while cystine has poor bioavailability, making it less than ideal as a nutritional supplement. Quick Look What Is Cysteine? Before we break down […]
Read More… from Is There a Difference Between Cysteine vs Cystine?
L-cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid produced from serine and methionine, while N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is the synthetic form of L-cysteine found in most supplements. Both offer benefits for antioxidant defenses, blood sugar regulation, male fertility, respiratory diseases, and cognitive health. Quick Look What is L-cysteine? L-cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid that […]
Read More… from L-Cysteine vs NAC: What’s the Difference?
Amino acids contain an acid group–a carboxylic acid–which would suggest all amino acids are acidic, but that’s not always the case. Amino acids can be acidic or basic depending on the pH of their side chains. Acidic amino acids have acidic side chains, while basic amino acids have basic side chains. Aspartate (aspartic acid) and […]
Read More… from What Are Acidic Amino Acids?
D- and L-amino acids are a type of stereoisomer called enantiomers. They are mirror images of one another—they have the same molecular formula and connectivity, but the spatial arrangement of their atoms is different. Both L- and D-amino acids are naturally occurring amino acids, but the L-form plays an integral role in protein synthesis, whereas […]
Read More… from D vs L Amino Acids: What’s the Difference?
Amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino group (NH3) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH) that form proteins. The amino acids within a protein are held together by a covalent peptide bond, forming a long polypeptide chain. Quick Look What are Amino Acids? Proteins are one of the most important compounds in the human […]
Read More… from What Bond Holds Amino Acids Together?
