BioBuilde: Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP): The True "Building Blocks" of Life

Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP): The True "Building Blocks" of Life

— By David I. Minkoff, M.D. and Director of BodyHealth.com.

Protein and Your Body

MAP can be used in the dietary management of individuals to help meet daily protein/amino acid requirements and to help optimize protein synthesis. Normalizing protein synthesis with MAP can benefit your physiological processes in a number of ways:

Bone Mass
Since approximately 50% of bone is comprised of protein, sufficient protein/amino acid intake is mandatory to help maintain bone mass. Although much attention is focused on maintaining a balance of hormones, minerals, and vitamins, the importance of amino acids is often neglected.

A lack of the correct amounts and proportions of amino acids can be just as significant in bone development. Minerals make up approximately the other 50% of bone (by volume), but the body can only mineralize the bone when the protein matrix is present. Adequate amounts of essential amino acids in the correct proportions are necessary to synthesize bone cells.

Immune Function
Immune function is very sensitive to a lack of protein/amino acids because of the high cellular turnover rate of some immune cells. If the body's intake of protein/amino acids is insufficient, its immune cell profile can be altered and compromised within days. Adequate amounts of essential amino acids in the correct proportions are necessary to synthesize immune cells.

Red Blood Cell Production
Red blood cell production also requires adequate protein/amino acids. Low RBC counts may be due not only to the lack of certain vitamins (B12, folate) and minerals (iron) but also to the lack of essential amino acids. Adequate amounts of essential amino acids in the correct proportions are necessary to synthesize red blood cells.

Infant Nutrition (Breast Milk)
The protein content of breast milk is affected by the protein/amino acid intake of the mother. An inadequate intake of protein/amino acids by the mother may lead to impaired nutrition of the infant. Adequate amounts of essential amino acids in the correct proportions are necessary to normalize the amino acid profile of breast milk.

Physical Injuries
When tissue is injured, protein/amino acid requirements increase. The body requires extra amino acids beyond normal daily requirements to optimize the repairing, healing, and recovering process. Inadequate protein/amino acids can impair the healing of strained ligaments, tendons, and muscle after hard-training or competition and can result in further injury or poor performance.

These are but five areas that demonstrate the prudence of insuring that individuals meet their daily protein/amino acid requirements.

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