Proline, an essential amino acid to take care of your muscles

RUNNEA
Redacción RUNNEA Team
Posted on 08-01-2019

In the midst of the consumerist effervescence for superfoods that favor the care of our health, it is necessary to highlight all the amount of nutrients that we put in our mouths, and the benefits they bring. On this occasion, in Mundotraining we look at proline. An essential nutrient found in proteins, and that has a direct influence on muscle recovery, this being a basic pillar in every athlete that comes along. Therefore, what we present below may be of interest to you.

By definition, we identify proline as an amino acid that is present both in the synthesis of cartilage and in the production of collagen. Proline is derived from glutamic acid. Back in 1900, the German chemist and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (1915), Richard Martin Willstätter, discovered it for the first time, although it was another compatriot of his, and also a chemist, Franz Joseph Emil Fischer, who made the synthesis of proline public in 1091.

It is not an essential amino acid because it can be synthesized by other compounds, and its basic functions include:

  • Maintaining and increasing the resistance of muscles, making them healthier.
  • Strengthening the connective tissue, which results in avoiding flaccidity, but also skin aging.

Why is proline necessary? All the benefits of this amino acid!

With all this, the presence of an amino acid such as proline in our body is vital because it contributes to maintaining proper muscle health. Among all its benefits, the following stand out:

It contributes to tissue regeneration

The joint action of amino acids such as proline and lysine is able to ensure a faster recovery, even in traumatic injuries.

Increases the level of collagen

Here again, two amino acids, proline and glycine, come back into play as the real architects of the production of such an essential protein as collagen. There is still more because proline has an important presence in the formation of collagen, up to 15%.

Protects the cardiovascular system

A good production of collagen has the immediate effect of increasing the protection of both the heart and the arteries themselves, the blood vehicles that run throughout the body.

Muscle recovery

Taking into account that proteins are composed of 25% collagen, it is more than clear the relevant contribution that proline acquires when it comes to carrying out the restoration of the muscles of our body.

Treatment of pathologies such as arthritis/arthrosis

Damaged articular cartilage, inflammation and stiffness of the joints are some of the frequent injuries in ordinary people, including athletes. And sinceproline acts directly in the creation of collagen, this amino acid is able to provide benefits in treatments, but also as a preventive method to slow down the onset of osteoarthritis or arthritis.

What foods contain proline?

One of the great points in favor of this amino acid is that proline is present in a wide and varied range of products, which contain it naturally. Especially in all those that bring with them a notable contribution of collagen:

  • Meats: Chicken, turkey, pork and beef.
  • Fish: sardines, halibut, salmon and tuna, among others.
  • Dairy products and eggs.
  • Certain vegetables: beans, peas, carrots or cucumber, among others.

On the other hand, and in the field of sports nutrition supplementation, it also becomes a great ally to try to enhance the benefits of the GPH complex, composed of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. In this complementary way it favors a greater development and strengthening of muscle fibers.

Being so easy to take before, during and after exercise, and thus favor a recovery, but also the strengthening of the muscular structure of the athlete.

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