Alanine
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Some facts about the non-essential amino acid, alanine:
- Alanine is a non-essential amino acid
Alanine is a non-essential amino acid, which means the body can metabolise (or make) it from the essential amino acids. It is not necessarily required in high levels in the diet. - Alanine functions as a building block of protein in the body
Alanine, just like all the other amino acids, is one of the building blocks of all proteins in the body, which not only include muscles, but also all the other proteins required for normal function of the body.
Alanine is one of the key nutrients that helps the body to maintain correct glucose levels in the body
- Alanine is found in prostate fluid
Alanine has been found in prostate fluid and researchers think that it could play a role in the health of the prostate, by playing an important part in normal prostaglandin synthesis. Studies have shown that men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign prostate enlargement) found relief from their symptoms when they were supplemented with alanine (together with glycine and glutamic acid). - Alanine is needed to metabolise tryptophan and vitamin B6
Alanine is necessary to enable the body use the essential amino acid tryptophan and the vitamin B6 for their various metabolic functions in the body.