Amino Acids and Health

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and we all need protein to maintain overall health, cellular repair and function as well as strength. Protein is essential for the body in all cases on a daily basis and without it or sufficient levels, we begin to deteriorate quickly. Protein comes in many shapes and sources, but the question is whether or not the source is providing an adequate array of amino acids to cover the body's requirements. The scope of this topic is well beyond this blog, but today, I'd like to discuss three amino acids in particular: L-glutamine, L-carnitine and L-arginine.

L-glutamine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid and is found in heavy concentration in skeletal muscle, liver, lung, stomach and brain tissue. L-Glutamine has been found to positively impact immune function, cellular metabolism, protect agains oxidative stress and improve gastrointestinal permeability. In many cases the body is able to biosynthesize adequate concentrations of L-glutamine and thus not necessarily dependent on dietary sources. However, in cases of stress and recovery, which many include: recovery from illness, trauma, disease and even surgery; there may be an increased need or demand for L-glutamine that biosynthesis and diet cannot provide. L-glutamine is commonly added to 'total parenteral nutrition' for hospitalized patients in order to aid in recovery and support overall health. L-glutamine has also been shown in one research trial to improve muscle strength and contractile force when given as a supplement to mice(Waddel,2005). It is also known that continuous training and exercise may lead to overall low levels of glutamine. L-glutamine has been shown to reduce blood ammonia levels in athletes when supplemented, which may aid in overall recovery(Carvalho-Peixoto 2007). Patients enduring various forms of cancer have also been noted to be glutamine depeleted due to the fact that many tumors are viewed as "glutamine traps". This can lead to an overall depletion of glutamine from the body, which then can impair recovery. The question then comes as to what happens if L-glutamine is routinely supplemented? There does not appear to be a downside with routine L-glutamine supplementation, based on research data and in fact, the improvements in overall health may be positive. Personally, I have seen some pretty promising results when glutamine has been supplemented in patients with a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to cancer. I feel that by making Glutamine more readily available, we may improve the outcome.

L-carnitine is an amino acid that is involved with the transportation of various fatty acids across the cellular membrane and into the mitochondria for energy production. Various medical conditions such as chronic fatigue, anorexia, cardiovascular disease as well as various myopathies appear to benefit from L-carnitine supplementation. L-carnitine supplementation was shown to improve peripheral artery disease, enhance exercise time, improve patient survival with dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics, aids in management of chronic fatigue and even can be beneficial in kidney failure patients (Alt Med Rev, 2005).

L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is involved in the production of Nitric Oxide, which has direct impact on vascular and immune function. Arginine is biosynthesized by the body, but can be easily depleted during times of stress or recovery, requiring supplementation. The main areas of interest with L-arginine revolve around the production of Nitric Oxide, which results in the dilation of blood vessels resulting in lowered pressures, but is also tied into overall cardiac health,immune function and protection against oxidative stress (Alt Med Reve, 2005).

So, this is a brief overview of some research regarding these important amino acids. I feel they are important to discuss and be aware of in terms of implications on overall health, whether if you or a pet are dealing with a particular condition or just trying to improve your athletic performance. I believe that their importance is very high and thus have incorporated these amino acids into our Immune Formulas. I see a difference clinically and our patients seem to do better in the long term. Overall body support is crucial to recovery and health.

Here's to your health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.

Upcoming Products

Hello again to all of our viewers. Thank you for trusting in us at Nouvelle to provide quality products to assist in the health of your pets, horses and even yourself! As you are aware, natural therapies interest me and I believe that the answers to common medical conditions are out there...we just need to find them. The purpose of this blog is to put out a quick note to let you know that we have new products in the pipeline and being added gradually over the next few weeks to our website. We have put a lot of research into the development of these products and have pulled from years of feedback from our patients. We are working on new formulas for companion pets, horses and people...much of which model after formulas that my family and I are taking on a daily basis to support our overall health. As these products hit our website, I will take to the blog again to discuss research and reasoning behind their creation and how your health (or the health of your pets/horses) can be enhanced. As an aside, I have started a personal blog to discuss various other health related issues and research. Just a place for my personal opinions on various issues. Feel free to visit at http://www.tschelldvm.blogspot.com/ To your health. Tom Schell, D.V.M.

Equine Cruelty

As a practicing veterinarian, we, as a whole, are often presented with animals that are neglected in some way or form. This can be a thin, underfed animal or even an animal that is overfed and experiencing health problems due to excessive weight. It all qualifies as neglect in my book to varying degrees. The economy has impacted everyone, especially animals. Their owners may be experiencing financial difficulties themselves, which often then manifest in the quality of care received by the pet or even the horse that once was a treasured family member. This past weekend, we received a call from our Sheriff's department requesting medical care for a neglected horse. The story we were told was that the owner was often out of town working and had put this horse in a stall for the past 6 months with little food or water. The story was confirmed by the neighbor that reported the incident. She had not seen the horse out on pasture in that time frame. The owner was no where to be found and the Sheriff seized the animal and brought him to our facility. This is what was presented to us.

As you can see, the poor horse was emaciated. He stood a little over 14 hh and weighed about 500 lbs wet. He was covered with dried manure, the mane and tail were matted and full of debris. You could visably see every bone in his body and his hooves were overgrown to the point of forming abscesses under the overlapping hoof wall. His spirit was depleted and overall he was weak, but yet seeking help. We admitted him, did some bloodwork, which indicated not only malnutrition but also severe muscle damage. We cleaned him up, trimmed the hooves and gave him a slow introduction to quality nutrition. The next morning, he was more perky but his spirit was still depleted. His walk was weak, but yet he had the energy to go outside and talk with other horses while nibbling some grass. The problem that developed quickly was that he would tire easily and would then lie down in his stall, but was unable to stand up. He was just physically too weak to even make more than one attempt to rise. We resorted to using an overhead hoist to aid his standing, which worked a couple of times with much effort on his end. After 48 hours in our care, he literally gave up on life. He had a good walk outside in the morning light, nibbled some grass, but then lied down in his stall and surrendered. Despite our efforts to help him get up, he physically and emotionally quit. In his eyes, you could see that his time had come and that he was "okay" with departing. I think it was most important to him to have had a couple of days in paradise, compared to his other living conditions. We let him go and helped him along. It is a real shame in today's day and age that this type of situation happens. There are no excuses in my book for this. It is also unfortunate that many of these cases go unprosecuted. In either case, I guess this poor gelding is finally at peace. Here is a picture of him after the bath and cleanup.