BioBuilde: Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP) and The Discovery of the Ideal Amino Acid Pattern for Human Nutrition

Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP) and The Discovery of the Ideal Amino Acid Pattern for Human Nutrition

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

From Explore! for the Professional Nov 6, 1003

This article gives the background behind the discovery of MAP's amino acid pattern for human nutrition.

Amino Acids and Protein

Amino acids are the "building blocks" of life. When strung together like beads on a chain, they form the required proteins of the body. After water, protein is the next most abundant substance in the body. Protein is the major structural and functional component of all cells.

In the body, proteins have incredibly diverse functions. For example, they make up enzymes and polypeptide hormones that regulate metabolism. In bone, the protein collagen forms the framework on which calcium phosphate crystals are deposited. In muscle, proteins make up the contractile proteins that permit movement. In the bloodstream, proteins such as plasma albumin and hemoglobin transport vital molecules, whereas immunoglobulins help provide protection from infectious bacteria and viruses.

In short, proteins and amino acids are vital to maintain health, cellular integrity, and function.

Scientific Discoveries Related to Protein

The scientific discoveries related to proteins and their constituent amino acids began about 1820 when the essential amino acid "leucine" was discovered.

In 1935, William C. Rose (1887-1985) completed the identification of the eight essential amino acids with the discovery of "threonine."

By 1946, three important concepts had been recognized:

There are daily essential amino acid requirements.

The nutritional value or quality of dietary protein depends on its amino acid profile.

For protein synthesis to occur, all eight essential amino acids must be available simultaneously at the sites of the body's protein synthesis. (If one amino acid is missing, protein synthesis will not take place.)

In 1946, Rose was the first to estimate the daily essential amino acid requirements for humans. Unfortunately amino acid formulas based on this estimate had a poor nutritional effectiveness, and the adverse effect of the increased Blood Urea Nitrogen (B.U.N) caused the medical community to become disillusioned.

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