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Nutritional Influences on
Muscular Development and Fat Metabolism
by J.E. Grogan
for Show Feeds, Inc.™
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L-Carnitine:
L-carnitine is a dipeptide made from the amino acid lysine. It's
synthesis occurs primarily in the liver and kidneys, and requires
adequate amounts of the vitamins B-6, C, niacin along with iron and
the amino acid methionine.
The
primary function of L-carnitine is the transport of fatty acids
across mitochondrial membranes where the fatty acids can be burned
for energy. Carnitine also aids in the removal of waste products
from the mitochondria and increased the rate of fat oxidation in the
liver. L-carnitine can help with the oxidation of pyruvate and the
branched chain amino acids in the energy cycle, and prevents the
build up of certain fatty acid complexes that destabilize muscle
cell membranes. A reduction in the build up of lactic acid in the
muscle (a major cause of fatigue) is also a property of L-carnitine.
The ability of L-carnitine to enter the mitochondria may allow a
sparing effect of some of the anti oxidants such as vitamins C, E
and selenium; thus minimizing the damaging effects of free radical
exposure.
The
biologically active form of carnitine is L-carnitine. DL-carnitine
does not have the same beneficial effects and in fact can increase
muscular fatigue and increase stress on the kidneys and liver
because of toxicity problems.
It is
especially important for protected, abundant amounts of the amino
acids lysine and methionine to be present in the diet for the
optimal synthesis of L-carnitine and hence its full fat metabolizing
benefits.
Gamma-Linoleic
Acid (GLA):
GLA is made in the body from one of the essential fatty acids -
linoleic acid.
GLA is
very important in the fat metabolizing process. GLA increases the
enzyme activity of metabolically active brown fat which burns stored
fat in a process known as thermogenesis. This enzyme activation can
increase the rate of metabolism and increase the fat burning
process.
GLA serves
as a precursor to the beneficial prostaglandins - the PGE-1 series
of prostaglandins. These exert an anti-inflammatory influenced in
the tissues.
Adequate
levels of the vitamins B-6, C, biotin and B-3 along with the mineral
zinc and magnesium are required for the conversion of linoleic acid
to GLA.
Lipotropics:
Lipotropics prevent the accumulation of fat - most often in the
liver. The primary lipotropic agents are choline, inositol,
methionine, betaine, lipase and a variety of plant compounds
including silymarin and lipoic acid. By preventing fat accumulation
particularly in the liver, fat digestion and metabolism can occur
with greater efficiency.
Natural
lecithin production can increase from the use of lipotropics. They
can act to protect the liver from environmental toxicity and with an
improved liver function a more effective activation of certain
vitamins may also occur.
The
metabolic waste products of protein metabolism are also more easily
eliminated with the use of lipotropics and disease resistance may
also be improved.
Soy
Lecithin:
Soy lecithin is a high phosphatide component of soy beans. It is
very rich in the lipotropic choline as phosphatidyl choline or PC
and also contains phosphatidyl inositol and phosphatidyl
ethanolamine. This high choline and other lipotropic content aids in
a fat clearing effect in the liver by emulsifying fats and making
fat digestion easier. Lecithin also acts to keep cholesterol and
triglyceride fats soluble in the body for easy transport.
Lecithin
is also a rich source of the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid,
from which GLA is made. Cell membranes have a high lecithin content
especially nerve tissue and the lecithin phosphatides are involved
in cell-membrane stabilization.
The use of
lecithin with its naturally high levels of lipotropic agents can
improve considerably the efficiency of the metabolic processes.
Since a very large number of metabolic actions occur in the liver,
such as vitamin and hormone activation. Keeping the liver clear of
excess fats is crucial to maximizing liver function and improving
the metabolism.
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