Lean Pockets
Protein: 13 g
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Sugars: 7g
Fat: 3.5 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg
Calories: 280

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It’s important to eat protein throughout the day. Sometimes protein is hard to find, especially since many sources need refrigeration. Here’s a list that highlights convenience and decisions involved in various protein sources.

Formula: C₅H₉NO₄
Molecular weight: 147.13

Glutamate is a key molecule in the citric acid cycle and cellular metabolism.

Glutamate is a principal excitatory neurotransmitter. GABA is synthesized from glutamate. GABA (a non-standard amino acid) is a principal inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) patients have elevated levels of glutamate in serum and spinal fluid. Lab studies have shown that neurons are killed when exposed to elevated glutamate for long time periods.

There is also a controversy over whether monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an excitotoxin because it could cause a spike of blood plasma levels of glutamic acid. There is also a concern of the possible combined effect of glutamic acid with two other excitotoxins: aspartic acid and aspartame.

There are 20 known standard amino acids, which are well known as components of protein (proteinogenic), but some are also important as neurotransmitters or intermediary for synthesis of other molecules. The sequence of amino acids in a protein are related to the function of that protein and are determined by the genetic code in the DNA. Over 100 amino acids are found in nature.

Amino acids are molecules that contain a basic amino (NH2) group, an acidic carboxyl (COOH) group and a side chain (R for carbon chain) attached to an alpha carbon atom.

All amino acids have the L configuration (Wikipedia: optical isomerism), except for glycine, which is optically neutral.

Amino acids form linear arrays to form proteins.

Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body (varies from species to species). The essential amino acids are:

Phenylalanine, Valine, Tryptophan

Threonine, Isoleucine, Methionine

Histidine, Arginine, Lysine, Leucine

Note: Mnemonic device for remembering these is “Private Tim Hall”, abbreviated as: PVT TIM HALL

Branch chain amino acids are:
leucine, isoleucine and valine

Non-standard amino acids are biologically-important: GABA (neurotransmitter), carnitine (used in lipid transport within a cell), ornithine, citrulline, homocysteine, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine, and sarcosine.

Researchers concluded that: (1) the protective activity of L-arginine involves gastric hyperemia (blood flow increase) mediated by NO (nitric oxide) and a mild irritant effect due to enhanced generation of endogenous prostaglandins, and (2) the ulcer healing properties of L-arginine depend upon its hyperemic and angiogenic actions, possibly involving NO.

Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ, Sliwowski Z, Drozdowicz D, Zaczek M, Kedra D.  Role of L-arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide-synthase, in gastroprotection and ulcer healing.  J Gastroenterol. 1997 Aug;32(4):442-52.

See also:
Related Links on PubMed for +glutamine +ulcer

Such as:
Sukumar P, Loo A, Magur E, Nandi J, Oler A, Levine RA. Dietary supplementation of nucleotides and arginine promotes healing of small bowel ulcers in experimental ulcerative ileitis. Dig Dis Sci. 1997 Jul;42(7):1530-6.

Formula: C₆H₁₄N₄O₂
Molecular weight: 174.20

Nitric Oxide (NO) precursor. Used by athletes to promote hemodilation or ‘pump’ during workout. Involved in synthesis of nitric oxide from L-Arginine and nitric oxide synthase reaction.

NO2 Hemodilator
NO2 is a powerful nitric oxide generating, performance enhancing HEMODILATOR. In a double-blind clinical trial conducted at Baylor University, NO2 was shown to be both safe and effective for increasing strength and power while delaying the onset of muscle fatigue. Comparing results between the NO2 group and the placebo group, standard repeated-measures ANOVA statistical test analyses demonstrated that the NO2 group boosted their strength by more than 300%, increased sprint peak power, and delayed the onset of fatigue.

More coming soon!
Check some of the important research on arginine and nitric oxide in other categories of physiology below:

Formula: C₅H₁₀N₂O₃
Molecular weight: 146.14

The only amino acid with two Nitrogen atoms.

More coming soon!