Chicken Thighs: Complete Amino Acid Profile

Chicken Thighs ‐ Amino Acids List

The amino acids found in Chicken Thighs

Amino Acids are organic compounds that, when joined together, form proteins. Proteins are responsible for the structural and functional components of cells and organs in all living organisms that are essential to life. Amino acids can be found in a variety of sources such as poultry, beef, fish and other animal products, as well as plant-based products such as beans, nuts, soy, and grains. The most common type of chicken eaten worldwide is the domesticated hen – also known as Gallus gallus domesticus – which is genetically bred to produce fleshy muscles. In this article we will explore the types of amino acids one would find when eating chicken thighs.

Chicken dark meat including thigh; consists of approximately 15 % fat, 24% protein and 61 % water (1). It therefore follows that each ounce or 28gram serving contains 6 grams of protein from a source that supplies all nine ‘essential’ amino acids – those considered vital because they cannot be produced by our bodies, and must be consumed through food sources instead. The exact composition of amino acids found in chicken thighs varies depending on factors such as age, diet and breed of bird, but generally speaking it includes: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine + cysteine, phenylalanine + tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Histidine is an aromatic molecule made up of six carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, three nitrogen atoms and one imidazole ring. It helps regulate red and white blood cell production, hemoglobin levels, and some neurochemical processes. Histidine is especially abundant in poultry, eggs, carrots and wheat germ(2). This amino acid is important for growth and cognitive development, particularly in infancy.

Isoleucine is an aliphatic branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) whose functions include energy production, aiding recovery after exercise and supporting muscle synthesis(3). It provides structure to several proteins as well, as it is required to build peptides, collagen and elastin(4). Isoleucine also plays a role in regulating glucose and fatty acid metabolism, which reduces excess fat deposit buildup(5). Additionally, it has been linked to improved immune system functioning due to its ability to induce the production of cytokines(6).

Leucine is the second member of its BCAA family, and serves multiple purposes within the body. Our bodies always require a balanced ratio between Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, as too much Leucine can inhibit the growth of Skeletal Muscle Fibre PTHS (7). These fibres are associated with increased strength and endurance, so servings of chickens with adequate amounts of Leucine are ideal for people engaging in active lifestyles. Beyond muscle tissues, Leucine has been suggested to play a regulatory role in wound healing(8) and growth hormone secretion(9).

Lysine is a basic, non-polar amide that works in conjunction with Vitamin C and iron to control iron absorbance in your intestines(10). Higher intakes of Lysine have been repeatedly suggested to benefit individuals suffering from fatigue, stress, anaemia, and sexual maturation age-related delayed problems(11). Moreover, according to research, supplementing your diet with Lysine may protect veins against oxidative damage caused by prolonged standing upright in combination with high temperatures, among other things(12).

Methionine + Cysteine are two structurally related sulfur containing molecules that contain an additional methyl group attached to them. Methionine is an essential amino acid, while Cysteine's status depends upon individual need based on their health and age. Both are involved in selenocysozyme formation, along with producing Carnitine, signalling molecules, vitamins and hormones (13)(14). They help modulate and catalyse a number of metabolic pathways via transfer of electrons donating and accepting processess.They’re both powerful antioxidants, helping stabilise free radicals (15), produce immune cells, detoxify heavy metals, neutralise carcinogenic chemicals (16) and synthesising glutathione, having a broad spectrum of activities to overall improve cellular function (17).

Phenylalanine and Tyrosine are both derivatives of phenols sharing structural and compositional similarities, and thus displaying similar functions dependent on conditions (18). Phenylalanine improves mood and memory due to an increase in norepinephrine and dopamine signal transmission (19).It aids in digestion too, inducing pancreatic enzymes supplementation improving absorption of nutrients (20). Tyrosine directly influences the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline stimulating alertness and increasing focus attention span during stressful situations (21). Further involvement of Tyrosine involve protecting cells from oxidisation breakdown plus activating signals to prevent autoimmunity reactions like allergies and asthma attacks (22).

Threonine is an aliphatic, non-aromatic amino acid that forms keratin structures and participates in kinase enzyme activity (23), meaning it is unimportant to just create, maintain and repair skin, nails and bones. It is used throughout Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle and pentose phosphate shunt pathways assisting with carbohydrate metabolism regulation and ATP generation (24). It assists in proper substance transferral over membrane walls thanks to osmosis creating evenly spread values across tissues preventing toxic urine concentration rates (25). It also works synergistically with Serine and aspartate conducting transamination reaction (26).

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid forming serotonin and NADH in human systems (27).Serotonin regulates appetite, good sleep patterns and emotionally balancing (28). Tryptophan helps fight inflammation, supports joint lubrication and hyluronic acid maintenance and prevents obesity accumulation regulating carbohydrate craving desires (29). Furthermore, through kynurenine pathway metabolism conversion, NKDD acts as protector providing defence antioxidation effects into blood plasma membranes hindering free radical membrane layer alterations (30).

Lastly, Valine is an aliphatic amino acid treating musculoskeletal diseases states and tissue degenerative issues (31). Like isoleucine, it increase concentrations of insulin-like growth factor IGF-1 thereby promoting rapid muscular tissue regeneration (32). Associated with Leucine, Valine shares energetic coordination composing the Branched Chain Amino Acid complex possessing neurologic benefits in actions management (33). Together, these two perform N?-hydroxyisoleucine synthsis releasing full stimulatory effect completing the BCC AoA equation sustaining optimal catabolism firing rates favouring significant nutritional integration times (34).

In conclusion, consuming chicken thighs provides the body with 9 out the 20 possible amino acids, namely histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine & cytosine, phenylalanine & tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Each of these offer unique benefits such as regulating communication between cells, muscle building, increased energy production, aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption, positive impacts on heart health, boosting immunity, and more. While these proteins are present in many foods, dark meat chicken is offers the best value due to its supportive vitamin B and minerals content, subtle taste and low cost compared to other animal proteins.