Studies continue to prove the critical role of the 46 essential nutrients, with the latest studies showing the crucial role of certain amino acids in regulating insulin secretion from the pancreas.
The UCD School of Bio Molecular Science in Ireland has revealed results of in vivo and in vitro studies regarding amino acids and their role in glucose metabolism.
The study proves that amino acid metabolism is essential for normal pancreatic B-cell function. In the study, just adding an individual amino acid showed little effect on the amount of insulin secretion. However, the addition of several amino acids (in this case leucine, isoleucine, alanine, and arginine) robustly stimulated the B-cell electrical activity which is essential for insulin secretion. These are not the only amino acids to have a positive effect.
In another study the administration of leucine and phenylalanine in the presence of a protein hydrolysate, showed a three-fold increase in insulin secretion, when compared to just ingesting a carbohydrate or sugar, such as in the glucose test. This does not appear to be an excess stimulation of the pancreas, but rather a properly functioning pancreas when all the essential nutrients are present in the right dosage.
In this case, the study was about amino acids. However, the study could have centered on chromium or other essential nutrients which show insulin does not work properly when amino acids, or other essential nutrients, are in insufficient quantities in the body. This suggests that consuming amino acids through diet or supplementation may provide a significant improvement in insulin secretion, and may help the body properly balance glucose in the blood stream to prevent damage from excess sugar.
What is interesting about this study is the mechanisms of action for the amino acids to enhance release of insulin secretion, was varied and very complicated. L-arginine, for example, does so by depolarization of the plasma membrane - but only in the presence of glucose. Other amino acids can depolarize the cell membrane by activating voltage dependent calcium channels. These two examples barely touch on the various means of amino acid interactions. They do, however, underscore the importance of not only consuming the eight essential amino acids (the ones the body can't make), but of also taking in all the essential nutrients we need as adults.
Certainly more studies are needed to help identify the methods of interface for each amino acid in stimulating insulin secretion. But the results of this study do continue to prove the key role of all the essential nutrients on our overall health, and the ability to avoid life threatening or debilitating disease.
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