TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

Tips to improve your health: eat healthy food for a good life!

Do you know what essential nutrients are required for our body?

In order to maintain body or improve overall health,  one needs  essential nutrition consisting of the following:

a)    Adequate essential amino acids from protein

b)    Essential fatty acids

c)    Vitamins

d)    Minerals

e)    Fluids

f)       Adequate calories.

Why Amino Acids are essential

Amino acids are present in the protein which we receive from different food items that we take in our daily life. An amino acid is composed of nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen molecules. Some amino acids cannot be produced in our body. These are called essential amino acids, also called limiting amino acids. Therefore have to be obtained from food sources. There are 8 such essential amino acids.

Functions of essential amino acids

Amino acids are useful components in a variety of metabolisms. Even though, some roles can be highlighted as a function of an amino acid, it is important to be aware that they are part of complex pathways and biological systems. The function and use of an amino acid is dependent on other amino acids, mineral elements, carbohydrate and fatty acids and has an indirect effect that is manifested in myriad metabolisms.

Sources and uses of amino acids

a)    Tryptophan: Necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitter serotonin. It helps releive migraine and depression. Tryptophan is a routine constituent of most protein-based foods or dietary proteins. It is particularly plentiful in

i)             Chocolate

ii)            Oats

iii)           dried dates

iv)          milk

v)            yogur

vi)          cottage cheese

vii)         red meat

viii)        eggs

ix)          fish,

x)            poultry

xi)          sesame

xii)         chickpeas

xiii)        almonds

xiv)       sunflower seeds

xv)         pumpkin seeds

xvi)       buckwheat

xvii)      spirulina

xviii)     bananas

xix)       and peanuts.

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