What are amino acids?

AMINO ACIDS are the "building blocks" of protein. Besides building cells and repairing tissue, they form antibodies to combat invading bacteria and viruses; they are part of the enzyme and hormonal system; they build nucleoproteins (RNA and DNA); they makeup the hemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body, and they participate in muscle activity. When protein is broken down by digestion, the result is 22 known amino acids. Eight are essential (cannot be manufactured by the body) the rest are non-essential (can be manufactured by the body with proper nutrition). Dietary sources provide the essential amino acids; low quality diets, poor digestion, and stress can lead to imbalanced amino acid levels or broadly lowered levels. Disease states can lead to elevations of some amino acids also resulting in an imbalance. Acute and long-term stress can result in both increased needs and accelerated protein breakdown. Of course, the ideal is to have sufficient dietary intake of amino acids, in the correct balance, with enough of the necessary vitamin, mineral, and nutrient cofactors, and without any ongoing disease processes. This will lead to sufficient protein intake for optimal physiologic needs. Instances of biochemical balance like this are quite rare in today's society.

Individual Amino Acids

Here are some descriptions and definitions of amino acids.

LEUCINE and ISOLEUCINE (Essential Amino Acid) They provide ingredients for the manufacturing of other essential biochemical components in the body, some of which are utilized for the production of energy, stimulants to the upper brain, and helps you to be more alert.

LYSINE (Essential Amino Acid) Insures the adequate absorption of calcium; helps form collagen (which makes up bone cartilage and connective tissues); aids in the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes. Recent studies have shown that Lysine may be effective against herpes by improving the balance of nutrients that reduce viral growth. A deficiency may result in tiredness, inability to concentrate, irritability, bloodshot eyes, retarded growth, hair loss, anemia, and reproductive problems.

METHIONINE (Essential Amino Acid) A principle supplier of sulfur which prevents disorders of the hair, skin, and nails; helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the liver's production of lecithin; reduces liver fat and protects the kidneys; a natural chelating agent for heavy metals; regulates the formation of ammonia and creates ammonia-free urine which reduces bladder irritation; influences hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

PHENYLALANINE (Essential Amino Acid) Used by the brain to produce Norepinephrine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells and the brain, keeps you awake and alert, reduces hunger pains, functions as an antidepressant, and helps improve memory.

THREONINE (Essential Amino Acid) Is an important constituent of collagen, elastin, and enamel protein; helps prevent fat build-up in the liver; helps the digestive and intestinal tracts function more smoothly; assists metabolism and assimilation.

TRYPTOPHAN (Essential Amino Acid) A natural relaxant, Tryptophan helps alleviate insomnia by inducing normal sleep; reduces anxiety and depression; helps in the treatment of migraine headaches; helps the immune system; helps reduce the risk of artery and heart spasms; works with Lysine in reducing cholesterol levels.

VALINE (Essential Amino Acid) Promotes mental vigor, muscle coordination, and calm emotions.

ALANINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) An important source of energy for muscle tissue, the brain, and central nervous system; strengthens the immune system by producing antibodies; helps in the metabolism of sugars and organic acids.

ARGININE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Studies have shown that it has improved immune responses to bacteria, viruses and tumor cells; promotes wound healing and regeneration of the liver; causes the release of growth hormones; considered crucial for optimal muscle growth and tissue repair.

ASPARTIC ACID (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Aids in the expulsion of harmful ammonia from the body. When ammonia enters the circulatory system it acts as a highly toxic substance, which can be harmful to the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that Aspartic Acid may increase resistance to fatigue and increase endurance.

CYSTINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Functions as an antioxidant and is a powerful aid to the body in protecting against radiation and pollution. It can help slow down the aging process, deactivate free radicals, neutralize toxins; aids in protein synthesis and presents cellular change. It is necessary for the formation of the skin, which aids in the recovery from burns and surgical operations. Hair and skin are made up 10-14% Cystine.

GLUTAMIC ACID (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Considered to be nature's "Brain Food" by improving mental capacities; helps speed the healing of ulcers; gives a "lift" from fatigue; helps control alcoholism, schizophrenia, and the craving for sugar.

GLYCINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Helps trigger the release of oxygen to the energy requiring cell-making process; important in the manufacturing of hormones responsible for a strong immune system.

HISTIDINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Found abundantly in hemoglobin; has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, allergic diseases, ulcers, and anemia. A deficiency can cause poor hearing.

PROLINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Extremely important for the proper functioning of joints and tendons; also helps maintain and strengthen heart muscles.

SERINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) A storage source of glucose by the liver and muscles; helps strengthen the immune system by providing antibodies; synthesizes fatty acid sheath around nerve fibers.

TAURINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Helps stabilize the excitability of membranes, which is very important in the control of epileptic seizures. Taurine and sulfur are considered to be factors necessary for the control of many biochemical changes that take place in the aging process; aids in the clearing of free radical wastes.

TYROSINE (Non-Essential Amino Acid) Transmits nerve impulses to the brain; helps overcome depression; improves memory; increases mental alertness; promotes the healthy functioning of the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands.

Autism and Omega 3 / Omega 6 Fatty Acids - The Controversy

Recent reports suggesting that ASD children are high in Omega-6 fatty acids have come to light. It is CellMate™ Wellness Systems' belief that this misinformation should be rectified. The problem arises from the incorrect use of percentage reporting systems and the interpretation of the results.

Suppose that when measuring total fatty acid content, a normal person has 100 milligrams in the sample tested. Using the percentage system, imbalances would be easy to spot and correct assumptions made. Unfortunately, most people are not balanced and certainly, not autistic children. If their total fatty acid content were 50 milligrams instead of 100 mg, you cannot use the percentage system correctly. The reason is if the percentage of fatty acid A were 20% on both patients, and this was high for the first person, in reality, it could be low for the second person when measuring the amount actually there (20 mg for the first person, 10 mg for the second). This flaw has not been correctly accounted for by some researchers, leading to incorrect recommendations and assumptions.

CellMate™ Wellness Systems utilizes the most advanced and correct method of reporting in order to interpret the results accurately, exact element measurement. This is the standard of care for the industry. Beware of the use of percentage reporting. It is unreliable and may make incorrect assumptions which may lead to incorrect nutriental supplementation.

Fatty Acid Testing - Who would benefit?

Fatty acids are the focus of much research lately. Deficiencies of certain essential fats, particularly Omega-3s are becoming more prevalent in our diets, especially in the high saturated fat diet of Americans. Still, fatty acid testing, utilizing targeted supplementation is not as well researched as some would lead you to believe. Some so-called experts in the field believe that you can specify the exact fatty acid supplementation protocol to balance your patient's profile. This may be possible, but only if you use the proper testing techniques.

Some laboratories produce results based upon a percentage of the whole. This methodology is useful for some research applications, however, using it to determine appropriate supplemental fatty acid levels is very likely to lead to erroneous conclusions. Incorrect and potentially dangerous recommendations can result from using these test values to project supplementation needs. CellMate™ Wellness Systems uses only laboratories that report the exact quantity (not percentage) of only those fatty acids that have been reported in peer-reviewed literature for their significance in human health. This methodology results in safer, more pertinent, and effective recommendations.

The problems that arise from using a percentage reporting system as opposed to actual amounts measured are numerous. Here are a few:

• The use of percentage reporting utilizes a pre-1996 convention that has since been changed by most laboratories. Those that haven't changed may be doing so because they feel more comfortable with their procedure. The problem arises when using multi-variant reporting systems such as the one CellMate™ Wellness Systems and a few others use.
• When using a percentage system, gross elevations and deficiencies can be masked and incorrect recommendations made. An example would be where a percentage report might indicate that a person is high in Omega-6 fatty acids versus Omega-3 when in actuality, both are deficient!
• Many of the laboratories who use the percentage reporting method on fatty acids utilize fatty acids that have not been identified as to their significance and thereby skew the entire report. Some of the acids haven't even been named!
• Abundant fatty acids are present at concentrations 50x higher than lesser compounds so variations in their readings have a disproportionate effect.

• People with nervous system disorders
• Neurological development disorders
• Those with elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides
• Cancer patients
• Individuals suffering from eczema and/or loss of hair

While the CellMate™ Blood Test is easy to understand, it is always in your best interest to have the supervision of a health care professional. If you do not have a doctor or yours is not comfortable ordering the test for you (some doctors may not order reports they have not yet been formally trained to interpret), then you can contact one of the practitioners on our referral list. We are always excited to train new doctors (yours included). If you can't (or don't wish to) find a doctor in your area who will work with you on this, we can still provide the testing and report to you through Direct Laboratory Services. We will insist you see a doctor if your results reveal a clear concern. In any event, the information you and/or your doctor can get out of the CellMate™ report is astounding.

Where do we get the information we use in your reports?

Thousands and thousands of medical journal articles like those from the Journal of the American Medical Association, New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine are some of the sources we use.

Also, we have an extensive library to review, with titles like Botanical Influences on Illness by Werbach and Murray, The Pharmacologic Approach to the Critically Ill Patient by Chernow and Biochemical Basis of Pediatric Disease by Soldkin, Rifai, and Hicks are just a few.

Still, it is the interpretation of the medical research that makes us unique. We rely on a strong medical advisory board with M.D.s, D.O.s, D.C.s, and a number of Ph.D.s to make sure that what we have in our database is the most up-to-date and accurate material available.