HIGH-DEMAND AMINO ACIDS COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING RECOVERY IN MEDICAL PRACTICE.

High-Demand Amino Acids (HDAA) play a pivotal role in human metabolism, comprising histidine, serine, glycine, lysine, ornithine and aspartic acid. These amino acids are in high demand in the body because they are utilised in multiple biochemical pathways as well as protein synthesis. Notably, glycine holds a significant place, constituting one-third of collagen proteins. Despite their importance, HDAA are lost rapidly through sweat and urine, intensifying during daily activities, trauma, infections, and exercise. There are no stores of amino acids in the body. Their supply for metabolism is achieved by the catabolism of muscle proteins to supply the HDAA as required by the body. HDAA supplied via exogenous supplementation can be rapidly absorbed without the need for digestion and can alleviate the demand for muscle catabolism. This, in turn, can help minimise loss of muscle mass and thereby support recovery from illness as well as exercise. The proposal to replenish HDAA at levels equivalent to daily deficits emerges as a promising strategy, offering a targeted approach to supplementation in the pursuit of enhanced health and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]