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Amino Acids Health Benefits
Amino acids health benefits show that three (alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine) support prostate health and reduce symptoms of BPH. Amino acids are both the building blocks of proteins and participants in metabolism. Of the 21 amino acids in the human body, these three have demonstrated benefits for prostate health.
Amino acids are both the building blocks of proteins and participants in metabolism. Each of the amino acids in the body possesses unique functions and features that can make them helpful in the prevention or treatment of various symptoms and ailments.
Certain amino acids health benefits have been attributed to a combination of alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine. At a daily dose of 200 mg each, they have been used to reduce symptoms of BPH. Those symptoms include urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and delayed initiation of flow. (Urology Channel) In one placebo-controlled study, 40 men who had BPH were given either placebo or 780 mg of alanine, glycine, and glutamic acid daily for two weeks. The dose was then reduced to 390 mg daily for the next 10 weeks.
The treated men experienced a significant reduction in symptoms: amino acid health benefits appeared as a 92 percent reduction in the size of the prostate and 33 percent had it return to normal size. Other amino acid health benefits included 95 percent of men experienced reief in nighttime urgency (complete relief in 72%); 81 percent had improvement in urgent urination, 73 percent improved in frequency, and 71 percent had improvement in discomfort. No comparable improvement was experienced by the men who took a placebo. (Feinblatt 1958) In a subsequent trial, the three amino acids again proved successful in alleviating BPH symptoms. (Damrau 1962)
It appears that not much research has been done since the 1960s regarding amino acids health benefits and BPH. In fact, supplements that contain these three amino acids and that are marketed for prostate health and BPH in particular often mention these two studies as the basis for offering this treatment approach. If you want to explore amino acids health benefits, consult with a knowledgeable healthcare provider before taking these supplements.
References
Damrau F. Benign prostatic hypertrophy: Amino acid therapy for symptomatic relief. J Am Geriatr Soc 1962; 10:426-30.
Feinblatt HM, Gant JC. Palliative treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: value of glycine-alanine-glutamic acid combination. J Maine Med Assoc 1958 Mar; 49(3): 99-101
Urology Channel.com Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/enlarged prostate. Accessible at http://www.urologychannel.com/prostate/bph/treatment_alt.shtml. Viewed Jan. 13, 2010.
