Threonine

The amino acid threonine is considered to be an essential amino acid as it is required to be present in dietary sources since the body cannot synthesize it on its own. The amino acid threonine is an important compound for the production of purines - these are compounds that break down uric acid, which itself is a by-product of protein digestion in the human body. Uric acid accumulation in the body can result in disorders such as gout, disorders like a different form of arthritis, and related health problems in different individuals. The presence of sufficient threonine levels in the body is also essential for the synthesis of the non-essential amino acid glycine in the human body.

The amino acid threonine is present mainly in the cardiac tissues of the heart, in skeletal muscles and in the tissues making up the central nervous system. The formation of the proteins elastin and collagen are dependant on the presence of high levels of threonine. Lipotropic actions and the functioning of the liver are also aided by the combined action of the amino acids threonine, methionine and the aspartic acid. The prevention of accumulated fatty tissues in the liver is also dependent on the presence of threonine. The production of anti-bodies in the body is also boosted by threonine; this action in its turn promotes the functioning of the immune system. The amino acid threonine is essential for proper utilization of dietary proteins, it is also necessary for the maintenance of an appropriate protein balance in the tissues of the body.

Uses

Dietary supplements of threonine are used to treat diverse disorders that can develop due to the presence of neurological or physical impairment of any kind. Threonine for example, is essential for the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain and the central nervous system and it maintains the general health of the nervous system, threonine is also of fundamental importance for the growth and continual activity of the thymus gland - a major component of the immune system.

Supplemental doses of threonine are also important for nervous system responses and in ameliorating serious diseases such as Lou Gehrig's disease. People suffering from serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and depression are also benefited by prolonged dietary supplementation using this essential amino acid. Individuals suffering from clinical depression can also benefit from using dosages consisting of one gram of threonine two times daily - this supplementation generates a marked improvement in the affected person.

A good intake of threonine in the diet may also maintain the immunological response at an optimal level in all individuals susceptible to immunological problems. The production of anti-bodies is also actively aided by threonine in conjunction with the actions of amino acids alanine, the aspartic acid, cysteine and lysine - this stimulates and promotes the functioning of the immune system and protects the body against all kinds of threats. Threonine tends to decrease in the body with advancing age - thus older individuals may need supplementation, at the same time, total threonine levels in the body tends to increase in individuals faced with immunological stressors or those affected by severe physical trauma.

The health of the liver is also maintained by threonine - indeed this amino acid is essential for normal liver function. Threonine acts to maintain the general functional state of the liver in tandem with the amino acids aspartic acid and methionine - low levels of these three amino acids may hamper the functioning of the liver. Threonine may also have a minor role as an agent in the prevention of fat accumulation in the liver leading to the pathological conditions called “fatty liver” especially in times of choline deficiencies. Further studies are still being carried on to probe threonine's potential to inhibit fat accumulation in the other vital organs besides the liver.

Threonine is also useful in the treatment of patients who suffer from severe burn or physical trauma. A great deal of threonine is released in the urine of all patients who suffer from these conditions - supplementation may be required to replace the loss through urine. That the recovery process from these conditions is aided by an increase in consumption of supplemental threonine is supported by a variety of research projects. The dosage regimen for therapeutic use of threonine ranges from 300 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams of supplements daily throughout the supplemental period.

Usual dosage

A threonine deficiency tends to be evident only in the rarest of rare cases and primarily in vegetarians - this is because the primary foods of vegetarians, like grains, tend to have very low quantities of threonine.

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