As an essential amino acid, threonine is indispensable to one’s health but it cannot be made in the human body. Because of this, it is important to obtain threonine from dietary sources as it supports normal growth and the well balance of protein in the body.
Threonine boosts the immune system since it supports the making of antibodies. It is also used in the body to manufacture two other amino acids, glycine and serine, which are necessary to make collagen, elastin and muscle tissue. Threonine is found in high amounts in the heart as it maintains the strength and elasticity of connective tissues and muscles. Recent research indicates that the administration of threonine after injury or trauma may speed up the recovery.
Threonine plays a key role in the regular functions of the liver and central nervous system. The liver is mainly responsible for storing sugar, producing protein and detoxifying our entire body. However, without sufficient threonine, the liver is unable to digest fats, causing fatty build up and eventually liver failure. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, often fatal, disease causing muscle weakness throughout the entire body and ultimately the lost of control over voluntary movements. Threonine is supplemented to treat ALS as it increases glycine levels in the central nervous system, thus reducing the symptoms. Research shows that 7.5g of threonine taken daily by patients can decrease the twitching of muscles.
A balanced diet, including meat, dairy products, mushrooms and leafy vegetables, will guarantee no threonine deficiency. Vegetarians or vegans, on the other hand, should consider supplementing their diet with threonine because meat is the best source of the amino acid. The standard dose of threonine is 100 – 500 mg daily. However, exceeding the recommended dose may upset the liver and cause the formation of excess urea, leading ammonia toxicity in the body.
References: (1) http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com/aminoacids/threonine.htm,
(2)http://www.vitaminstuff.com/amino-acid-threonine.html (3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis
