Amino Acids

Amino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism.  They are catalysts to most, if not all, cellular processes. Scientific research has demonstrated that conditions as varied as chemical sensitivities, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration, bone disorders and insomnia are associated with amino acid imbalances.  Numerous health conditions are associated with amino acid metabolism as a result of the many physiological processes they are involved in.  The production of neurotransmitters, hormones, nitric oxide, urea, antioxidants, connective tissue and ATP are just a few examples.

Amino acids are required for neurotransmitter and hormone production such as glutamate, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine, ornithine and glutamine.  Arginine is needed for nitric oxide production and glutathione production requires glutamine, cysteine, glycine and methionine.  The most common phase II liver detoxification reactions involve glutathione conjugation, amino acid conjugation (taurine, glycine) methylation, sulphation and acetylation and glucuronidation.  Proline, isoleucine, leucine and valine are required for connective tissue, muscle metabolism and tissue repair, while glutamic acid, aspartic acid and alanine form derivatives which are intermediates in the citric acid (cellular energy) cycle.

Test details

• Test code: 5004
• Category: Nutritional Analysis
• Kit requirements: Plasma
• Collection method: Blood - Plasma
• Test method: LCMS/MS/MS (Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry)
• Turnaround time: Batch Testing

What is measured

• Amino acids
  • 1-methyl Histidine
  • 3-methyl Histidine
  • Alanine
  • Arginine
  • Asparagine
  • Aspartic acid
  • b-Alanine
  • b-aminoadipic acid
  • b-aminobutyric acid
  • b-aminoisobutyric acid
  • Carnosine
  • Citrulline
  • Cystathionine
  • Cysteine
  • Cysteine clearance
  • GABA
  • Glutamate
  • Glutamine
  • Glycine
  • Histidine
  • Hydroxy
  • Hydroxyproline
  • Isoleucine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Methionine
  • Ornithine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Phosphorylethanolamine
  • Phosphoserine
  • Proline
  • Serine
  • Taurine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Tyrosine
  • Valine

Common clinical applications

• Skin and Dermatological Health
  • Allergies
• Mental and Emotional Health
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mental health
• Cardiovascular Health
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Hypertension
• Endocrine and Hormonal Health
  • Diabetes
• Other Health Conditions
  • Fatigue
  • Infections
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Insomnia

Resources

• Patient Brochure
• Sample Report

This test should be ordered and interpreted with guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Important: Test information is general only. Results should be interpreted with a qualified health practitioner and do not replace medical advice or diagnosis.