Butter Oil: Complete Amino Acid Profile

Butter Oil ‐ Amino Acids List

Introduction

Amino acids are an essential part of nutrition and play a major role in human health. As such, they are present in many foods, including dairy products like butter oil. Butter oil is composed mainly of fats and proteins that make up the dairy product upon which it is based. These proteins offer important benefits to the body, due to their rich concentrations of amino acids. This paper will examine the types of amino acids found in butter oil, as well as how these compounds affect our overall health.

What Are Amino Acids?

Before delving into the specific components of butter oil, it is first necessary to understand exactly what amino acids are. Amino acids are organic molecules that contain both a carboxyl group and an amine group. Structurally, each amino acid contains a central carbon atom bonded to four other atoms: a hydroxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and two additional side chains known as “R-groups” (1). These R-groups vary from one type of amino acid to another, accounting for 20 different possible structures overall. When bonded with other amino acids, large polypeptide chains are formed; these serve as the building blocks of proteins.

It also must be noted that not all amino acids are identical. In fact, out of the twenty total amino acids commonly found in living organisms, nine are considered to be "essential" - meaning they cannot be synthesized by the body itself, but instead must be acquired through dietary sources (2). The remainder of amino acids can be produced directly by the body, though the amount produced may still be inadequate during times of extreme physical or mental stress.

Amino Acids Found in Butter Oil

The most abundant source of fats in butter oil comes from triglycerides which consist primarily of medium chain fatty acids such as myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids (3). Triglycerides are associated with advancing medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease when consumed in excess; however, the presence of useful proteins and amino acids in butter oil helps mitigate this risk significantly.

Of the essential amino acids found in butter oil, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, lysine, methionine valine, phenylalanine and histidine have been identified. While nonessential amino acids, like cysteine, glutamine, glycine tyrosine, arginine, aspartic acid, serine, alanine and proline, have also been found (4). Apart from providing energy, the amino acids obtained from butter oil are an easily accessible volume of nutritional value. For example, according to research conducted by USDA, just half a cup of butter oil provides 5.5 grams of protein and 91 milligrams of omega 3 fatty acid (5). Though this amounts to only 1.97% of a person's daily recommended Intake (DRI) of protein, consuming butter oil can simultaneously provide several beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Health Benefits of Consuming Amino Acids

Due to the various dietary sources of amino acids, it is possible to obtain more than enough of these macronutrients via a balanced diet comprised of vegetables, grains, fruits, breads, fish, eggs, cheese, and/or animal meat (6). However, it is important to note that while obtaining adequate amounts of these nutrients is important for proper body function, too much consumption of any single amino acid should always be avoided. That said, a number of studies have identified potential cognitive and cardiovascular benefits from consuming certain types of amino acids–especially those naturally occurring in butter oil.

Tryptophan is a prime example of one suitable for therapeutic-scale ingestion; studies have shown that regular intake of this particular amino acid may lead to increased performance in terms of short-term memory and reaction time (7). Alanine and Leucine, two other amino acids found in butter oil, may work together to improve cardiovascular health and assist blood glucose regulation (8). Valine, meanwhile, has been linked to improved oxygenation of muscles and faster post-workout recovery intervals(9). Methionine is one of the few sulfur-containing amino acids, making it capable of boosting production levels of collagen, keratin and elastin – three vital components in skin repair and maintenance processes (10).

Conclusion

This paper outlined the range of amino acids present in butter oil, as well as some general facts pertaining to their importance in regards to nutrition and wellness. Essentially, butter oil is a more nutrient-dense version of plain milk because it carries proteins, fats and micronutrients that can fuel our bodies' systems on a cellular level. It thus serves as a convenient source of valuable amino acids, most of which come in either essential or nonessential varieties. Regular incorporating these specifically selected amino acids into your diet can offer comprehensive boosts to immune system functions and overall personal wellbeing.