Amino acids & health

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  April, 2004  by Beatrice Trum Hunter

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The Healing Nutrition Within (3rd ed.)

by Eric R. Braverman, MD

Basic Health Publications, 8200 Blvd. E, North Bergen,

New Jersey 07047 USA, 201-868-8336, fax 201-868-2842

432 pgs, quality paperback, $17.95 US, $28.95 Canada, 2003

The Healing Nutrients Within, originally published in 1987, and written by Eric R. Braverman, MD with contributions from Carl C. Pfeiffer, MD, Ken Blum, PhD, and Richard Smayda, DO dealt with the therapeutic value of amino acids, at a time when their study was in its infancy. A decade later, with advances in knowledge, the book was revised in a 2nd edition. By 2003, the expansion of knowledge in the field has led to an updated 3rd edition by Dr. Braverman.

The Healing Nutrients Within demonstrates that the human body's valuable store of amino acids--dubbed by the author as "the best stocked drug store of all," is a valuable tool to combat numerous health problem, including heart disease, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. After a general discussion of amino acids, the book presents detailed data on 24 amino acids, with the latest description of their function(s), metabolism within the body, food sources, therapeutic uses, form, absorption, and guidelines for supplementation.

Research and clinical applications demonstrate the usefulness of amino acids. Specific ones are used in antiaging compounds, weight loss regimes, and dietary sweeteners. They are used in emergency rooms to treat medication overdose, and for liver detoxification. They are gaining use in blood tests as indicators of mental and physical illnesses.

Homocysteine, an amino acid, in recent years has become recognized as a major independent risk factor indicator for cardiovascular disease. Newer findings show that this amino acid may portend, as well, neural tube defects, sickle cell disease, rectal polyps, and liver failure. A high homocysteine level may contribute to depression, dementia, and loss of elderly brain function.

Tyrosine, another amino acid, strongly influences brain chemistry, and has been used to reduce symptoms of people undergoing alcohol and drug withdrawal. Also, it has been shown to combat the effects of stress, narcolepsy, chronic fatigue, and attention deficit disorders.

Other amino acids are responsible for health skin, connective tissues, and bone; for blood pressure control; and to boost immunity, heal wounds, and identify the potential for psychosis. Some are helpful with hypoglycemia; others produce energy under many types of severe stress. Many more uses are likely to be found as studies of amino acids continue. This comprehensive resource book includes a clinical review of multiple amino acid abnormalities (excesses or deficits), including aging, cancer, depression, psychiatric conditions, endocrine disorders and food allergies.

Dr. Braverman is Director of the Place for Achieving Total Health (PATH Medical) in New York City. He has written more than 80 papers, and has co-authored Zinc & Other Micronutrients, Male Sexual Fitness, and Hypertension and Nutrition.

review by Beatrice Trum Hunter

COPYRIGHT 2004 The Townsend Letter Group
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