Aspartic acid

Some important facts about Aspartic acid:
Aspartic acid (Asp, D), also known as aspartate, the name of its anion, is one of the 20 natural proteinogenic amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. As with each of the 20 natural amino acids, there are two abbreviations commonly used to designate aspartic acid: Asp (three letter) and D (one letter). The abbreviations signifying a choice of either aspartic acid or asparagine are Asx (three-letter) and B (one letter).As its name indicates, aspartic acid is the carboxylic acid analog of asparagine. It is non-essential in mammals, and might serve as an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is also a metabolite in the urea cycle, and participates in gluconeogenesis. As a neurotransmitter, aspartic acid may provide resistance to fatigue and thus lead to endurance, although the evidence to support this idea is not strong.

Use of aspartic acid:
1. It is of great importance in the metabolism during construction of other amino acids and biochemicals in the citric acid cycle. Among the biochemicals that are synthesized from aspartic acid are asparagine, arginine, lysine, methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and several nucleotides.
2. It is needed for stamina, brain and neural health and assists the liver by removing excess ammonia and other toxins from the bloodstream. It is also very important in the functioning of RNA, DNA, as well as the production of immunoglobulin and antibody synthesis.
3. It also helps in the expulsion of harmful ammonia from the circulatory system. When ammonia enters the circulatory system it acts as a highly toxic substance, which can be harmful to the central nervous system and cause neural and brain disorders.
4. Through the synthesis of adenine, aspartic acid functions in the synthesis of NAD and NADP.

Daily requirement:
Daily requirement for aspartic acid is listed in the recommended daily allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

Deficiency of aspartic acid:
Deficiency of aspartic acid may cause fatigue and depression.
Aspartic acid deficiency decreases cellular energy and may likely be a factor in chronic fatigue.

Other important facts :
Aspartic acid keeps mind sharp by increasing concentrations of NADH in the brain, which is thought to boost the production of neurotransmitters and chemicals needed for normal mental functioning. It also removes excess toxins from the cells, particularly ammonia, which is very damaging to the brain and nervous system as well as the liver.