Alanine, or L-alanine, is an amino acid that helps the body convert the simple sugar glucose into energy and eliminate excess toxins from the liver.
Contents
Uses
L-alanine is a critical player in the body’s protein biosynthesis and has certain regulatory functionality. Muscle protein consists of approximately 6% of L-alanine. 30% of the L-alanine in the blood is synthesised by muscle, which demonstrates its importance to the overall metabolism. The L-alanine is absorbed from the blood in the liver and then converted to pyruvate. This enables a faster and more effective supply of energy when it is needed so that the body can perform longer at increased levels of intensity. Athletes therefore often supplement L-alanine in order to attain personal goals.
Benefits
Healthy immune system and kidneys
Other important tasks of this non-essential amino acid are the support of the immune system and prevention of kidney stones. These can be produced by the body as a result of insoluble toxic compounds, which L-alanine is able to chemically neutralise. L-alanine may therefore be used prevetatively against kidney stones by individuals with an according family history..
L-alanine is also an important reactant for glucagon because it will stimulate its production when he blood sugar is too low. Additionally, it will support the generation of glucose from other amino acids.
Healthy prostate
Studies have shown that prostate fluid has a high concentration of L-alanine may therefore protect the prostate gland itself from an irregular enlargement. A symptom of this is usually severe pain and problems during urination. This can usually be reduced by the consumption of dietary supplements containing L-alanine.
It is therefore assumed that L-alanine can reduce the swelling of the gland’s tissue and even be used to treat prostate cancer.
The proteinogenic amino acid L-alanine has been successfully used to treat certain illnesses and is therefore used often in orthomolecular medicine. In addition to its ability to positively influence blood sugar it is also used frequently to prevent prostate cancer. Several studies have show that L-alanine also stimulates the immune system, reduces inflammation and therefore helps to balance and stabilise the organism as a whole.
A study showed in 2002 that there is an interrelationship between L-alanine and the secretion of insuline by the pancreas. When allowed to react with glucose it leads to an increased production and excretion of glucose therefore positively influencing diabetes. The metabolism of glucose is improved overall and symptons can be reduced or eliminated altogether. This reduces possible complications of secondary conditions resulting from diabetes, significantly improving patients’ quality of life.
A separate study was able to show that the supplementierung of L-alanine is able to increase physical fitness when combined with exercise and protect from cardiovascular illnesses. Over 400 individuals were asked to consume L-Alanien supplements or placebos and the former group was shown to perform significantly better at exercise whilst displaying lower fat readings in the blood
Cautions
Alpha-alanine seems to be safe when used appropriately for a short time. Side effects have not been reported in studies of alpha-alanine.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of alpha-alanine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: L-alpha-alanine can increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This can be helpful if blood sugar levels are too low, but it can be harmful if blood sugar levels are normal or too high. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use alpha-alanine.
Interactions
We currently have no information for ALPHA-ALANINE Interactions
Other names
2-aminopropionic Acid, Acide Alpha-aminopropionique, Acide Aminé Alanine, Acide Aminé Non Essentiel, Ala, Alanine Amino Acid, Alfa-alanina, Alpha-aminopropionic Acid, D-alanine, D-alpha-alanine, DL-alanine, L-alanine, L-alpha-alanine, L-alpha-aminopropionic Acid, Non-essential Amino Acid
References
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alanine
Aminoacidstudies, http://aminoacidstudies.org/l-alanine/