Threonine, essential amino acids, natural sources and supplements, neuroprotective role, role on muscle, role on immunity, role on mental health and role on wound healing

Description :   Threonine is an essential amino acid that means it should be essentially provided to the body

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Threonine is an essential amino acid that means it should be essentially provided to the body through diet or supplements as the body cannot synthesize it. It acts as the building blocks for proteins thus its consumption is thought to be very much effective for regulating protein balance in body. It has been widely used for promoting immune system, digestive health, nervous system, mental health, muscular health and wound healing.

Chemistry

• General formula of threonine is C₄H₉NO₃
• It contains a carboxylic group, an amino group and hydroxyl group containing side chain in its structure
• It is uncharged but polar in nature
• It is generally found in L form
• Basically it has four stereoisomers

Mechanism of action

This amino acid is essentially required by the body for promoting the health of nervous system and for decreasing the susceptibility of developing neurodegenerative disorders. It has seen that threonine is transformed into glycine in body, which works on brain for preventing spasticity (unwanted and constant muscle contraction).

Sources

Foods, which are rich in threonine are listed below –

• Beef
• Turkey
• Chicken
• Pork
• Lamb
• Crab
• Lobster
• Oatmeal
• Gelatin
• Collagen
• Tuna
• Milk
• Tofu
• Soybeans
• Egg
• Green peas
• Pumpkin seeds
• Avocados
• Teff
• Carrot
• Bananas
• Kidney beans
• Spirulina
• Edamame
• Lentils

Supplements

• Being an essential amino acid it should be consumed through diet but it can also be consumed through supplements
• Threonine deficiency is not so common among those individual who consume protein rich especially animal based protein rich balance diet but vegans are more prone to develop threonine deficiency therefore they should consume threonine supplements
• Threonine supplements are widely available in the form of capsule or in powdered form
• It is always better to consume threonine from natural sources because too much consumption of supplements may cause toxicity

Health benefits

Role on immunity

• Body requires threonine for supporting proper immune functions
• It has seen that thymus gland utilizes this essential amino acid for stimulating the synthesis of T lymphocytes or T cells and also helps to improve their activity
• It also helps to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body
• It helps to promote programmed cell death as well

Role on muscle

• It plays imperative role in promoting the growth and development of muscle
• It has seen that consumption of threonine is very effective for improving muscle mass
• It also plays vital role in making the muscle strong
• It helps to maintain the elasticity of muscle as well
• It helps to prevent muscle spasm too
• It helps to produce glycine and body utilizes glycine for synthesizing creatine that acts as an effective source of fuel for muscle, which helps to repair muscular damages
• It also plays vital role in regulating muscle contraction

Role on digestive health

• Threonine plays important role in improving overall digestive health of an individual
• It is associated with producing mucous gel layer, which helps to cover the digestive tract and also protects it from injuries
• It helps to promote the functionality of gut mucous barrier thus improves gut health
• It helps in the synthesis of intestinal mucosal protein that helps to promote the absorption of nutrients as well as immune sensing and limits the transportation of harmful antigens or microorganisms through it

Role on skeletal system

• Threonine is essentially required by the body for producing collagen and elastin
• We know that collagen and elastin both are considered as the most plentiful proteins found in muscle, bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and skin and play imperative role in maintaining their health
• It also helps to promote the health of connective tissue thus its consumption is very much effective for obtaining healthy bones
• Elastin helps to resume the shape of ligaments and tendons after their contraction or stretching
• It also helps to improve the strength of bones

Role on nervous system

• Threonine in considered as an important essential amino acid, which is required for    Read more