Amino acids are small biochemical compounds that
are used in the body as building blocks to many other bioactive compounds,
including proteins, enzymes, peptides and as precursors to other
nitrogen-containing compounds. Although there are many different amino acids,
ten of them are considered essential, that is they are not manufactured
independently by the body and must be taken in through dietary means.
Conversely, the human body is capable of synthesizing "non-essential" amino
acids. Regardless of whether the body can make these compounds or not, it has
become very popular to supplement with amino acids, as they are indicated as
vital in a number of healing states. Below is a detailed list of the amino acids
that are present in New Life Colostrum, as tested by an independent laboratory.
Essential Amino Acids
Histidine

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Growth, tissue repair, histamine development
Deficiencies
None known
Toxicity
Stress, possible anxiety disorders
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
8-10 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Pork, poultry, rice, wheat, cheese
Isoleucine

Type
Essential Amino Acid, Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)
Functions
Blood-sugar regulation, muscle development and repair, hemoglobin development,
energy regulation
Deficiencies
Possible dizziness, headaches, fatigue, depression, confusion, irritability
Toxicity
Elevated urination
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
31 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
28 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
10 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Eggs, fish, lentils, poultry, beef, seeds, soy, wheat, almonds, dairy

Leucine

Type
Essential Amino Acid, Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)
Functions
Blood-sugar regulation, growth and repair of muscle tissue, hormone production,
wound healing, energy regulation
Deficiencies
Possible dizziness, headaches, fatigue, depression, confusion, irritability,
hypoglycemia in infants
Toxicity
Hypoglycemia, possible pellagra
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
73 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
44 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
14 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Eggs, fish, lentils, poultry, beef, seeds, soy, wheat, almonds, dairy, beans,
brown rice

Lysine

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Promotes calcium absorption, growth and repair of muscle tissue, lowers serum
triglycerides, development and regulation of: collagen, antibodies, hormones and
enzymes.
Deficiencies
Rare. Possible stunted growth, anemia, hair loss, decreased appetite, weight
loss, decreased energy, irritability.
Toxicity
Unknown.
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
64 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
44 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
12 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Fish, eggs, dairy, lima beans, beef, soy, yeast, potatoes

Methionine

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
May prevent arterial fat build-up, promotes collagen synthesis, may act as
antioxidant
Deficiencies
Rare. Slowed growth, liver damage, weakness, edema, skin lesions
Toxicity
Unknown.
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
27 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
22 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
13 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Fish, eggs, dairy, beans, beef, garlic, onion, lentils, soybeans

Phenylalanine

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Increases blood levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine,
neurotransmitter function
Deficiencies
Rare. Slowed growth, lethargy, liver damage, weakness, edema, skin lesions
Toxicity
Rare. Decreased/increased blood pressure, headaches
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
69 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
22 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
14 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Dairy, almonds, avocados, lima beans, peanuts, seeds

Threonine

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Antibody production, can be converted to glycine and serine
Deficiencies
Rare. Skin disorders, weakness.
Toxicity
None known
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
37 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
28 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
7 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Dairy, beef, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds

Tryptophan

Type
Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Precursor for serotonin (which aids sleep and anxiety),
niacin
production
Deficiencies
Rare. Stunted growth.
Toxicity
Possible eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (potentially fatal)
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
Tryptophan supplementation has been determined unsafe and is illegal in the
United States
12.5 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
3.3 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
3.5 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Dairy, beef, poultry, barley, brown rice, fish, soybeans, peanuts
Valine

Type
Essential Amino Acid, Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA)
Functions
Growth and repair of muscle tissue, energy regulation
Deficiencies
None known
Toxicity
Possible hallucinations
Recommended Intakes (1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Report)
38 mg/kg/day - Preschool, 2-5 yrs
25 mg/kg/day - Schoolchildren, 10-12 yrs
10 mg/kg/day - Adults, 18yrs and older
Food Sources
Eggs, mushrooms, nuts, poultry, beef, soy, grain, dairy

Non-Essential Amino Acids
Alanine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Glucose metabolism
Deficiencies
None known
Toxicity
None known
Food Sources
Dairy, beef, poultry, wheat, yogurt, avocado

Arginine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Stimulates growth hormone, stimulates immune system, used to treat liver
disorders, promotes muscle growth, wound healing, increases fat metabolism
Deficiencies
Rare. Impaired insulin production, possible hair loss.
Toxicity
Rare. Weakness, diarrhea, nausea, may increase the activity of some viruses.
Food Sources
Whole-wheat, nuts, seeds, peanuts, brown rice, popcorn, soy, raisins, chocolate,
carob

Aspartic Acid

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Energy metabolism, excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in RNA, DNA,
immunoglobulin and antibody synthesis
Deficiencies
Possible fatigue and depression.
Toxicity
None known.
Food Sources
Dairy, beef, poultry, sprouting seeds
Cysteine/Cystine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Acts as an antioxidant, involved in collagen synthesis
Deficiencies
None known.
Toxicity
None known.
Food Sources
Poultry, wheat, broccoli, brussel sprouts, eggs, garlic, onions, red peppers

Glutamic Acid

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter, transports potassium to the brain,
potential treatment for neurological conditions: muscular dystrophy, epilepsy,
Parkinson's, and mental retardation.
Deficiencies
None known.
Toxicity
Possible headaches, neurological problems.
Food Sources
Found abundantly in food.

Glycine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, aids in glycogen storage, possibly
decreases muscle wasting.
Deficiencies
None known.
Toxicity
Possible fatigue.
Food Sources
Glycine is produced in the body.

Proline

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Involved in collagen synthesis and wound healing.
Deficiencies
None known.
Toxicity
None known.
Food Sources
Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, wheat.

Serine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Involved in fat metabolism, involved in muscle growth, used in skin care
products as a moisturizer
Deficiencies
None known.
Toxicity
None known. (possible depressed immune system)
Food Sources
Dairy, beef, poultry, wheat gluten, peanuts, soy.

Tyrosine

Type
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Functions
Induces sort-term adrenaline hormones, may regulate mood, may improve memory and
alertness, may treat chronic fatigue, appetite suppression.
Deficiencies
Stunted growth, apathy, edema, weakness, liver damage, loss of muscle, skin
lesions, hypothyroidism.
Toxicity
None known. Interacts with depression medication.
Food Sources
Almonds, avocados, bananas, beef, dairy, eggs, fish, lima beans, pumpkin seeds,
sesame seeds, soy.