The Amino Trio Isoleucine Leucine and Phenylalanine

The amino acids isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine often appear together in nutritional supplements. Isoleucine is the amino acid essential for maintaining the nitrogen balance vital to all body functions. It also regulates metabolism of the thymus, spleen and pituitary glands. Rich sources are sunflower seeds, all nuts, except cashew nuts, avocados and olives. Leucine the compliment of isoleucine, with a similar chemical composition although in different arrangement. Its functions and sources are also similar. Phenylalanine is essential to the production of hormone adrenaline, to the production of the thyroid secretion and the hair and skin pigment, melanin. It is effective in weight control because of its effect on the thyroid. Its use before meals suppresses the appetite substantially. Patients taking half a teaspoon of the powder 30 minutes before each meal, lose from a quarter to half a pound a day. It is also essential for the efficient functioning of kidneys and bladder. Major source are nuts, seeds, carrots, parsley and tomatoes. An important recently discovered therapeutic use of phenylalanine is its ability to overcome most conditions of lethargy through stimulation of adrenaline.