What are amino acids actually?
Amino acids (AS) are the building blocks from which proteins are built. They can link together in chains, like pearls, and as soon as this chain contains more than 100 amino acids, it is called a protein.
What is interesting is that the body does not need a certain amount of protein. Rather, it primarily needs amino acids. The consumed proteins are broken down in the stomach and small intestine to utilize the amino acids they contain. Already broken down amino acids therefore have better bioavailability (biological value) than a protein that still needs to be broken down. Also, extracting AS from plants is easier than from animal protein. However, the total protein content in animal foods is somewhat higher.
What does the body use amino acids for?
So far, we are aware of 20 (or 21) of these amino acids that can form a protein. If one assumes 21 different amino acids and a chain of 100 amino acids, this results in the combination possibilities of 21 to the power of 100.
This enables the body to build this multitude of different proteins (antibodies, fingernails, muscles, etc.) from only 21 different protein building blocks. In 2005, an international symposium was held in Prague on the topic "New therapeutic strategies through amino acid and protein therapy" (11).
"Unfortunately, there are neither suitable laboratory markers that indicate an exact amino acid requirement, nor is it taught in medical training how to recognize an amino acid requirement, nor are there simple proven supplements on the market so far. Blood analysis of individual amino acids only shows me the current AS in the blood and does not take into account the requirement in the tissue" - Dr. Matthias Welker
Amino acids are needed for more than just muscles. Amino acids also form the basis for our connective tissue (subcutaneous tissue, elastic fibers, fascia [so-called connective tissue] and so on), play an important role as neurotransmitters, are essential for the immune system and form building blocks of enzymes (we know of 2,500 enzymes, but there should be about 20,000 enzymes in the human organism), and they are even involved in hormone formation. In short, amino acids are essential for the functioning of body and mind.
Amino acids are more than a muscle supplement or a fad. Amino acids are vital building blocks.
Are dietary supplements dangerous?
With this question, we find ourselves in a jungle of countless opinions:
"You must take this, it will definitely help you against *insert any problem here*.
Or "Don't take that, I just read recently how dangerous it is. That was in *insert sensational news outlet here*."
But what's actually true? The short answer: both are correct
Now more precisely: There are countless studies for and against dietary supplements. But what stands out about the studies that are against dietary supplements? They always involve so-called mono-preparations. This means only one nutrient is supplied in high doses.
Is it surprising that mono-preparations are not necessarily beneficial for health? No, because nowhere in nature does one consume only a single isolated nutrient. A mono-preparation serves at most to temporarily replenish an isolated acute deficiency, e.g. after poisoning, surgery, medication use.
In nature – and also at Sanopoly – the focus is always on the synergy of individual nutrients. Only in this way can the body fully benefit from supplementation and overdosing is avoided. The European Nutraceutical Association also expands on this idea in a detailed statement regarding dietary supplements (1).
"With pride I can say today that only Sanopoly, after years of research, from ongoing medical observation and analysis of the well-being of numerous patients, offers such a meaningful and effective vital nutrient mixture. which is based on the actual needs of humans." – Jan Veen, Managing Director.
Furthermore, reference is made here to the legal regulations regarding dietary supplements, which also apply EU-wide and thus make harmful use impossible. The dosage recommendations are e.g. chosen by the DGE (German Society for Nutrition) in such a way that they do not cause harm with long-term use. (2) In our observation, the recommendations in Germany are often even too low.
At Sanopoly, we ensure compliance with these guidelines. Furthermore, our entire medical advisory board is constantly engaged in researching synergies and incorporating findings beneficial for the human organism accordingly into the products.
Years of experience from therapists and patients have shown that Sanopoly products have no overdosing and no unwanted side effects. Not without reason are we called Sanopoly.
"sano" – to make healthy & "poly" – many
Are amino acids dangerous?
No - only incorrect, unconsidered use. For a long time, the medical advisory board of Sanopoly has advised against consuming individual amino acids in high doses - this goes against our natural metabolism. An amino acid profile is needed that corresponds to human body structure and daily requirements.
An overdose of amino acids leads to a breakdown of the unused portion. The consequence is, for example, an elevated uric acid level. In the long term, however, this can have negative consequences (gout, stress on the kidneys & liver, and others) with it. But only if, for example, through BCAA products you regularly bring your amino acid balance out of equilibrium (3).
Amino acids in general are absolutely safe. Quite the opposite: The importance of amino acids is proven. Countless studies regarding various amino acids & their compounds prove their positive effects (more on this under: What benefits do amino acids promise?).
Here too, it is simply a matter of observing the synergy of the individual amino acids. To get the full benefit, you should consume a balanced amino acid profile. This can be achieved through healthy, protein-rich nutrition. Main plant-based protein sources are recommended.
According to the aforementioned studies by Dr. Welker, unfortunately very few people manage to do this nowadays. In today's daily routine, it is almost impossible to have a balanced diet and to plan enough time for shopping, cooking, and digestion.
With this insight and the importance of amino acids, a healthy and effective supplement to daily nutrition is recommended. A preparation developed from therapeutic experience supports & optimizes the body in absorption and utilization, shows that it is complete, shows effectiveness, and does not increase urea and uric acid.
The composition of Priosa® energy has proven itself. With great effort, we have achieved the goal: an amino acid preparation that treats human health fairly and sustainably.
Below we have processed some studies.
What benefits do amino acids promise?
❖ This study (3) confirms our long-held observation that branched-chain amino acids (so-called BCAAs) alone are not sufficient for the body. It is also proven here. A complete amino acid spectrum is necessary.
❖ In a study (4) from 2007, scientists were able to demonstrate with a high dose of glycine that it can be used to treat arthritis and osteoporosis complaints. All 600 study participants noticed an improvement.
❖ In a cell experiment (5), N-acetyl-cysteine was able to completely reverse oxidative damage. Furthermore, the positive effect on chronic lung diseases was tested in this study (7).
❖ According to this study (6), an increase in plasma tryptophan concentration is notably associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
❖ In a study (8) in Spain, glutamine was shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This involved inflammation values in cancer patients undergoing abdominal radiotherapy.
❖ In Singapore, a study (9) was conducted regarding pregnancy & sleep quality. It was found that a higher tryptophan concentration in plasma reduces the risk of poor sleep by 12 percent. This particularly affects people with anxiety symptoms.
❖ In this study too (10), the positive benefit of amino acids is discussed.
❖ Overdosing is practically not an issue in practice. More details are explained in study (11).
❖ Since knee operations, even complete knee replacement surgeries, are said to be occurring more frequently, the benefit of amino acids after surgery was examined in this study (12) from the USA with a positive result.
(1) European Nutraceutical Association – Dietary supplements an orientation in the jungle of opinions http://www.enaonline.org/files/artikel/287/ENA%20Broschuere%20NEM_Web.pdf
(2) DIRECTIVE 2002/46/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 10 June 2002 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements
(3) Robert R. Wolfe: Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis in humans: myth or reality? Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2017, Received: 17 February 2017f
(4) Medical News Today Article, 10 Aug 2007: Glycine supplement helps prevent degenerative diseases such as arthrosis or osteoporosis
(5) T Ueno et al.: N-Acetyl Cysteine protects TMJ chondrocytes from oxidative Stress; Journal of Dentral Research, Nov. 18, 2010
(6) Yu E, Ruiz-Canela M et al.: Increases in Plasma Tryptophan Are Inversely Associated with Incident Cardiovascular Disease in the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED) Study; J Nutr. 2017 Feb 8. pii: jn241711. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.241711
(7) Amaral EP, Conceição EL et al.: N-acetyl-cysteine exhibits potent anti-mycobacterial activity in addition to its known anti-oxidative functions; BMC Microbiol. 2016 Oct 28;16(1):251.
(8) de Urbina JJO, San-Miguel B et al.: Effects Of Oral Glutamine on Inflammatory and Autophagy Responses in Cancer Patients Treated With Abdominal Radiotherapy: A Pilot Randomized Trial; Int J Med Sci. 2017 Sep 4;14(11):1065-1071. doi: 10.7150/ijms.20245. eCollection 2017.
(9) van Lee L, Cai S, Loy SL et al.: Relation of plasma tryptophan concentrations during pregnancy to maternal sleep and mental well-being: The GUSTO cohort; J Affect Disord. 2017 Aug 23;225:523-529
(10) Society for Nutritional Medicine and Dietetics e.V.; International Symposium »New Therapeutic Strategies through Amino Acid and Protein Therapy«, 25 to 27 February 2005 in Prague
(11) Willers, J., et al., Intake of Minerals from Food Supplements in a German Population-A Nationwide Survey, Food and Nutrition Sciences, Vol.6 Iss.2, p. 205 215.
(12) Dreyer, Hans C., et al.,
