Essential amino acids are organic compounds that cannot be synthesized in the human body and must be supplied with food. Moreover, such acids are critically important for the functioning of all organs, systems and tissues of the human body. There are the following essential amino acids: valine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, histidine, arginine, tyrosine, and glycine.
Dairy products, eggs, meat, and nuts — including pine nuts, as well as their derivative, pine nut flakes — are rich in indispensable amino acids.
Content of essential amino acids in pine nut flakes
Pine nut flakes are a perfectly balanced source of essential amino acids that the body needs to maintain a healthy weight, prolong youth, and psycho-emotional stability. At the same time, some amino acids in pine nut flakes are contained in much larger quantities than in other products. For example, arginine: 2.41 grams per 100 grams of pine nuts versus 0.12 in cow’s milk or 1-1.29 in fish. [1]
In addition, the composition of proteins in pine nut flakes is unique. It differs not only in a large number of amino acids, but also in their ideal ratio. There are four essential amino acids that are optimal for your health in this product.
Histidine: GI health, weight loss
Histidine is an amino acid that affects the secretion of gastric juice, and also improves lipid metabolism and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Due to these properties, histidine is extremely important in maintaining a healthy metabolism, it helps in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome. [2]
But a lean body and weight loss aren’t the only benefits of consuming enough histidine. It also has the following effects:
- reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the precursor of which is metabolic syndrome;
- removes harmful substances from the body, protects it from ultraviolet radiation;
- protects joints;
- reduces the risk of hearing loss;
- helps in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
100 g of pine nuts contains 0.34 g of histidine. The daily intake for an adult is 1.5-2 grams.
Methionine: antioxidant protection, psycho-emotional well-being
Methionine is essential for the prevention of early aging, since it protects the body from oxidative stress — one of the main causes of premature skin aging and the development of age-related diseases.
Also, methionine is important for our psycho-emotional health. Not only does it support during times of stress, it can also protect against very serious illnesses, including Alzheimer, Parkinson, depression, and schizophrenia. In addition, this amino acid:
- helps in detoxification;
- provides a healthy look to the skin, nails, and hair;
- prevents toxicosis during pregnancy;
- enhances immunity;
- promotes quick recovery after physical exertion.
100 g of pine nuts contains 0.26 g of methionine. The daily intake for an adult is 1.3 grams.
Cysteine: detoxification and eye health
Cysteine has such a powerful detoxifying effect that it even protects against the effects of radiation and heavy metals. It is also involved in the synthesis of a number of other amino acids, for example, taurine that is indispensable for the prevention of eye disorders (in particular, cataracts). The following effects can also be noted:
- antioxidant effect that is enhanced by interaction with vitamin C that is also rich in pine nut flakes;
- support of immunity;
- blood pressure stabilization;
- healthy digestion.
Tryptophan: healthy sleep
Tryptophan is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, the so-called “happiness hormone”. Therefore, it plays a very important role in regulating mood, as well as motor and cognitive functions of the body. Tryptophan is also required for the synthesis of B vitamins (B3, B5). In addition, this amino acid:
- helps to get rid of insomnia and establish healthy sleep;
- aides with neuroses, stress, and migraines;
- participates in metabolism and allows to maintain optimal weight;
- accelerates recovery after high physical and psychological stress.
100 g of pine nuts contains 0.11 g of tryptophan. The daily intake for an adult is 1 gram.
REFERENCES
[1] Kopple JD, Swendseid ME. Evidence that histidine is an essential amino acid in normal and chronically uremic man.
[2] The British Medicine Journal, July 2018
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