Brain has its own unique pool of free amino acids (basic units of protein), very different from other organs, particularly higher levels in glutamate and GABA. Brain amino acids are the keys to making neurotransmitters, hormones and certain enzymes to help us listen and learn new knowledge while focus and remember information’s. For instance, tyrosine is an amino acid that promotes Dopamine formation that provides a burst of energy to our brain and increase our alertness. On the other hand, tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin (aka. the EQ neurotransmitter) that promotes calmness and sense of well-being. Studies have shown that when amino acid deprivation takes place, learning and coordination suffers, but once all necessary amino acids are reintroduced into the diet, learning and motor skills improve.
HEALTHY BRAIN FUNCTION IN TEENS
The brain of a growing teens is still constantly developing by making connections between synapses and neurons through neurotransmitters even after puberty. Protein synthesis in brain development of growing kids is higher compared to an adult. It is important to have enough protein for a balance meal, continuously supply the brain to keep up with amino acids concentration.
Lean beef, skinless poultry, fish, beans, low-fat dairy foods, eggs, nuts and seeds are all healthy sources of protein. While teens are prone to stuff themselves with high-fat snacks and high sugar diet, a homemade protein snack bars or enriched protein smoothies using DAWSON’s PLANT Protein would be a better alternative.
2.) HELP MAINTAIN STRONG BONES
Loss of bone mass (osteopenia) and loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) are closely related with aging while the risk of osteoporosis is one of the most common issue during aging (Paddon-Jones D. et al, 2008; Heaney RP et al., 2008), dietary calcium and protein with physical activities are the main key points associated. Calcium supplement alone will not have much effect if protein intake is limited since protein helps to enhance the absorption of calcium in our intestine and aid in bone metabolism. In a 3-year clinical study of 342 healthy men and women with 65 years of age and older, those who consumed the most protein and were supplemented with calcium experienced the greatest improvement in bone mass density (Dawson-Hughes etal., 2002).
When someone eats a low level of protein, insulin-like growth factor production is reduced, intestinal calcium absorption is reduced and level of parathyroid hormone is increased, causing more calcium to deplete from bone, which in turn negatively affect calcium and phosphate metabolism and resulted weaker bone mass. The positive effects of calcium appear to require intakes of protein >1.2 g/kg to have beneficial effects (Heaney and Layman, 2008). Additional levels of protein are required to meet the needs demanded by physiological stress. Furthermore, taking enough protein can also help to maintain lean tissue and immune status where progressive loss of structural strength and mobility is apparent.