Alanine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce it and dietary intake is not always necessary. It plays important roles in various physiological functions, including:
Serving as a fundamental building block in protein synthesis for creating proteins and peptides
Participating in the glucose-alanine cycle, which helps transport amino acids between muscle tissue and the liver
Contributing to energy metabolism by being converted into glucose during periods of fasting or intense exercise (gluconeogenesis)
Adequate alanine levels contribute to efficient energy production, muscle health, and metabolic stability.
Rich dietary sources of alanine include: meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Low alanine levels may undermine efficient energy production, contribute to muscle loss and frailty, impair metabolic balance, and signal increased vulnerability to illness, malnutrition, and premature aging.