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What is L-Threonine?

Threonine is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids that constitute proteins. It is an essential amino acid and as such it is not synthesized in the human body and because of this, L-Threonine must therefore be supplied by dietary intake of proteins containing L-Threonine or via supplementation. Threonine has four possible forms, and two forms of L-threonine. The name L-threonine is generally used for one single form chemically known as (2S, 3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid. Another form, known as L-allo-threonine, is rarely present in nature. In plants and microorganisms, threonine is manufactured from aspartic acid via alpha-aspartyl-semialdehyde and homoserine.

Threonine is a main component in forming proteins, collagen, elastin and tooth enamel. It is also crucial for the production of neurotransmitters and overall health of the nervous system. Meats in general including beef, chicken and turkey are good dietary sources L-Threonine. L-Threonine deficiencies are relative rare among people consuming a balanced diet. However, since vegetables and grains are not particularly good sources for L-Threonine strict vegetarians and vegans may want to consider L-Threonine supplementation. Symptoms of L-Threonine deficiency included emotional agitation, confusion, fatty liver problems, and digestive problems. L-Threonine is believed by researchers to play an important role in the production of antibodies and overall immune function support. Reasons to supplement with L-Threonine include muscle relaxation, collagen health, increased antibody function, and helping to maintain proper protein physiological balance.

Research done using animals (piglets) as subjects have demonstrated that threonine deficiency can lead to higher nitrogen excretion and higher blood urea. Dietary threonine imbalance is known to reduce the growth of the small intestine, liver, and skeletal muscle in young animals. Piglets fed with threonine deficient diets had smaller intestinal weights, less mucosal tissue (the absorptive cells of the intestine), and less intestinal mucin compared to control pigs. Mucin pertains to mucous that lines the interior surface of the digestive organs like small intestine. Intestinal mucins are vital to ensure the normal functioning of the intestine. Mucin prevents digestion of the intestinal wall by digestive enzymes, retards water loss from the intestinal wall, inhibits bacteria from adhering to the intestinal cells and prevents toxins from being absorbed into the body. Without enough threonine in the body, fats could build up and impede the liver from doing its job, which can ultimately cause liver failure.

In essence, Threonine is a hydroxyl-containing amino acid, also an essential amino acid, which is an important part of many proteins in the body. It is necessary for the formation of tooth enamel and elastin and collagen which are needed for both healthy skin and wound healing, and rich dietary sources include meats and fish, dairy foods, eggs, wheatgerm, bananas, carrots, nuts, beans and seeds. Threonine promotes normal growth by helping to maintain the proper protein balance in the body. Threonine also supports cardiovascular, liver, central nervous, and immune system function.

What is L-Threonine used for and who uses it?

Threonine is an important component of numerous proteins in the body and is required in forming tooth enamel, elastin and collagen, which are responsible for both healthy skin and wound healing. Threonine has a slight glucose-sparing effect and is beneficial in stabilizing blood sugar because it can be converted into glucose by the liver through the process of gluconeogenesis. Threonine can improve immunity by assisting in the production of agents that combat viral infections. It promotes cell immune defense function as well. Additionally, threonine is used to treat indigestion and intestinal malfunctions.

Threonine bolsters cardiovascular, liver, central nervous, and immune system function. Threonine assists in the manufacture of glycine and serine, two amino acids that aid in the production of collagen, elastin, and muscle tissue. Threonine also plays a huge role in building strong bones and tooth enamel, and helps keep connective tissues and muscles throughout the body strong and elastic, including the heart, where it is found in significant amounts. It also speeds up wound healing or recovery from injury by boosting the immune system. Threonine, in conjunction with the amino acids aspartic acid and methionine, can significantly help the liver in digesting and eliminating fats and fatty acids, thus reducing the accumulation of fat in the liver. A build up of fats in the liver can have adverse effects on its function. Without adequate threonine in the body, fats could accumulate in the liver and ultimately cause liver failure.

Threonine strengthens the immune system by helping in the production of antibodies, and because it is found largely in the central nervous system, it may be beneficial in treating some types of depression as well. Threonine supplementation may also be helpful in managing and treating Lou Gherigs Disease, also know as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), because it increases glycine levels in the central nervous system. Administering glycine by itself is ineffective, since it cannot cross into the central nervous system. Research indicates that symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), another disease that affects the nerve and muscle function, may be mitigated with threonine supplementation.

How pure is your L-Threonine?

This pharmaceutical grade amino acid L-Threonine is assayed by the manufacturer to be 99.5% product. You will receive a sealed and labeled heavy duty 4 mil polyethylene bag containing this white powder product. It has no additives, fillers or anti-caking agents included. Threonine is one of the amino detoxifiers. It helps prevent fatty buildup in the liver, and is also an important component for collagen production, just like Proline. It is generally low in vegetarians since vegetables and grains are not particularly good sources for L-Threonine. For these reasons, it makes sense to consider taking a supplement.

What is the daily suggested dose of L-Threonine?

Threonine is available in protein supplements such as protein powder and bars, as well as in amino acid capsules and tablets. Recommended dosing for L-Threonine varies between as little as 100 milligrams per day to as much as 8 grams per day, depending upon individual needs. One level teaspoon is approximately 2671 milligrams (2.67 grams) and taken two times per day will yield an approximate daily dose of 5.3 grams. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for L-Threonine here.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

Deficiency, Precautions, and Potential side effects of L-Threonine

Symptoms of threonine deficiency include emotional agitation, confusion, digestion difficulties and fatty liver. Exceeding the recommended doses of threonine, on the other hand, can disrupt liver function, and cause the formation of too much urea, and consequently ammonia toxicity, in your body. People with liver or kidney disease should not take this or any other amino acid supplement without first consulting their physician. Getting too much of any one amino acid can throw the citric acid cycle out of balance, which makes the liver and kidneys work harder to eliminate toxins.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Taste, solubility, and suggested preparation of L-Threonine

This product dissolves somewhat slowly in cold water, but faster in hot water, and has very little flavor or taste, but is slightly sweet. Just mix your usual dose with water or juice and drink. One point to keep in mind is that the body needs a supply of all the amino acids in order to effectively create and utilize proteins so if you intend to supplement any of the amino acids it is of paramount importance that you have a balanced intake of all the other amino acids. Being deficient in even one amino acid will lower the efficiency of all the other amino acids in your body.

L-Threonine is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Hemp Protein & Fiber Powder (Nature's Way), Amino 1900 (Universal), Amino 2222 (Optimum Nutrition), Prolab Amino 2000, Threonine (Supplement Direct), Alpha Amino Prototype 216 (MuscleTech), Metabolol II (Champion), Fruit Blast (4Ever Fit), 4Ever Whey (4Ever Fit), Anabolic Muscle (Healthy 'N Fit)

References & Further Research

Adequate oral threonine is critical for mucin production and gut function in neonatal piglets
In previous experiments, they found that the threonine requirement of neonatal piglets fed parenterally was 40% of that when fed intragastrically; they hypothesized that much of the oral supply of threonine is being used for mucin production. Overall, results suggest that adequate dietary threonine was critical in the production of mucus and that a parenteral threonine supply can ameliorate most of the symptoms of oral threonine deficiency.

Threonine requirement of healthy adults, derived with a 24-h indicator amino acid balance technique
The goal of this study was to assess threonine adequacy at 3 test intakes and the consequences of a 6-d compared with a 13-d dietary adaptation phase. Because the researchers question the validity of the 1985 FAO/ WHO/UNU upper requirement for threonine of 7 mg•kg-1•d-1, they proposed a tentative mean requirement of 15 mg•kg-1•d-1. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU threonine recommendation is inadequate, and 15 mg•kg-1•d-1 is sufficient to achieve mean indicator (leucine) amino acid balance.

A Deficiency or Excess of Dietary Threonine Reduces Protein Synthesis in Jejunum and Skeletal Muscle of Young Pigs
Dietary threonine imbalance is known to reduce the growth of the small intestine, liver, and skeletal muscle in young animals, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Using the pig model, this study was conducted to test the hypothesis that either a deficiency or an excess of dietary threonine impairs protein synthesis in these tissues. Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle as well as jejunal mucosa and mucins was reduced to a greater extent than that in liver in response to an imbalance of dietary threonine. Collectively, these results indicate that either an excess or a deficiency of dietary threonine decreases protein synthesis in rapidly growing tissues of young pigs. The findings provide a mechanism for the low growth performance of animals fed a threonine-imbalanced diet.

L-Threonine for International Customers

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