Threonine is an amino acid that was discovered in the first half of the last century by William Cummings Rose. As it turned out, this substance has the ability to support the body's immune system and is involved in the production of antibodies. In the article, we consider the threonine formula. Provide information on daily consumption and the products in which the component occurs.
Description and Formula
Threonine is a monoaminocarboxylic amino acid, which implies that it is not produced by the body on its own. The highest concentration of the substance is found in the heart, skeletal muscles and cells of the nervous system. Threonine enters the body only as part of food.
The chemical formula of threonine is: C 4 H 9 NO 3 .
Science knows 4 optical element isomers:
- L-threonine is essential for the body.
- L-allotreonin, almost never found in nature.
- D-threonine is not important for the human body.
- D-allotreonin is considered secondary in importance.
The structural formula of threonine is as follows:
Conducted scientific studies of this amino acid, allowed to discover many of its beneficial properties. Threonine is mainly involved in the synthesis of protein, is found in collagen and elastin, in addition, it is one of the main components in the formation of strong tooth enamel.
For the normal functioning of the human body and the natural growth of the child, the production of proteins, which are the main builders of cells, is necessary, this process is not complete without threonine.
Benefits
The threonine formula includes hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen. Such elements are distinguished by useful properties. Among them are:
- Positive effect on the functioning of the liver.
- The ability to synthesize glycine and serine, amino acids, without which the production of elastin and muscle tissue is impossible.
- Participation in the maintenance of the immune, cardiovascular and nervous system.
- It is part of proteins and enzymes.
- Effect on thymus growth.
- It fights against fatty degeneration of the liver, subject to the reasonable use of threonine.
- The ability to produce antibodies, due to which the body's defenses are supported.
- Improving and accelerating the process of assimilation of nutrients.
- Beneficial effect on psycho-emotional health.
- Help in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Daily rate and rules of use
The daily norm of the amino acid threonine ranges from 500 mg to 3 g, while the minimum dose and the maximum for children are sufficient for an adult. This difference is due to the fact that the child’s body grows and needs more building material.
If the amino acid is present in the diet as a dietary supplement, then it is important to know that exceeding the dosage can lead to pathologies in the liver, increase the level of urea in the body and, as a result, ammonia. It in turn has a toxic effect.
Lack of threonine leads to increased excitability and confusion, impaired digestion and fatty liver. Since threonine is involved in the synthesis of many amino acids, its lack leads to their imbalance in the body.
People whose work is associated with hard physical labor, as well as athletes and athletes need an increased dosage of amino acids. Children during the period of active growth should increase the concentration of threonine in the body. People suffering from a depressive state are recommended to increase the daily norm of the substance to normalize their psychoemotional state. With age, the need for amino acids decreases.
Fields of application
In European countries, threonine, the formula of which is C 4 H 9 NO 3, is widely used as a dietary supplement in pet food. Its main function is to stimulate the rapid growth of cattle and birds. As a result of numerous studies, it was found that animals whose diet contained an amino acid significantly gained weight in a shorter period.
In excess, the element is contained in blood plasma. The highest concentration of threonine in newborns is explained by the participation of the substance in the growth of the child. The regular use of products containing threonine has a beneficial effect on the work of all human organs.
In medicine, threonine is used as a means to relax muscles in convulsive conditions. Also, the substance is indicated for people suffering from multiple and atrophic sclerosis.
In surgery, the amino acid is widely used to quickly heal wounds and accelerate the recovery process. Pharmaceutical preparations with threonine help maintain the tone and elasticity of muscles and blood vessels.
What products are contained in?
The determining factors in the concentration of amino acids in the body are nutrition and the environmental situation in the place of residence. To provide the body with threonine, it is necessary to include products with its content in the daily diet. The highest concentration of the substance is in eggs and mollusks. Vegetarians are advised to eat more legumes and grains, nuts and vegetables, and with a lack of amino acids, take supplements with threonine.
Threonine is also found in products:
- Sources of animal food: beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, horse meat, some types of game, fish (mainly sea or fat), milk, kefir, feta cheese, hard cheese, sour cream, fermented baked milk, butter.
- Sources of plant foods: all kinds of nuts, leafy vegetables, lentils, beans, buckwheat, barley, rye, sesame, flaxseed, sprouted grain, mushrooms.
How is it absorbed?
As a rule, threonine, whose formula is C 4 H 9 NO 3, is easily absorbed by the body, but for this it needs B vitamins. To a greater extent, vitamins B3 and B6 are involved in this process. In addition, it is necessary to maintain the level of magnesium, since this trace element is also involved in the proper absorption of amino acids.
It is known that some people suffering from autoimmune or genetic diseases are sometimes not able to absorb threonine from food. In such cases, supplements with amino acids such as serine and glycine should be taken regularly. It is with the help of threonine in the process of the biochemical reaction of the body that these substances are produced.