ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
     The 10 Essential Amino Acids:  

1.  L-Arginine or L-Argine:
                                   MDR
L-Arginine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 10.5mg and for a Growth Dosage of 124.5mg
                               
 Purpose
L-Arginine is used to enhance T-cell production which will help enable your immune
system in fighting off infections and viruses.
                          
Natural Sources of L-Arginine
      L-Arginine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
          Animal: Dairy, Beef, Pork, Poultry, Wild Game, Seafood
          
Vegetable: Seeds, Nuts, Whole Grains

2.
 L-Histidine:
                                   MDR
L-Histidine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 10.0mg and a Growth Dosage of 44.5mg
                               
 Purpose
L-Histidine helps maintain the myelin sheaths (nerve linings). It may help with
allergies. It also may help aid the body in the growth and repair of muscle tissues.
                          
Natural Sources of L-Histidine
      L-Histidine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Dairy, Meat, Fish, Poultry
          
Vegetable: Rice, Wheat, Rye

3.  
L-Isoleucine:  
                                  
 MDR
L-Isoleucine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage
of 21.8mg and a Growth Dosage of 89.0mg
                                
Purpose
The following three amino acids work together: L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine & L-Valine.
They are used to help aid in the regulation of blood sugar. They also aid in the
forming hemoglobin (red blood cells).  
                          
Natural Sources of L-Isoleucine
      L-Isoleucine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Pork, Beef, Turkey
          
Vegetable: Buckwheat, Millet, Nuts

4.
 L-Leucine:
                                   MDR
L-Leucine has the Minimum Daily Requirements per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage
of 38.0mg and a Growth Dosage of 144.5mg
                                
Purpose
The following three amino acids work together: L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine & L-Valine.
They are used to help aid in the regulation of blood sugar. They also aid in the
forming hemoglobin (red blood cells).  
                          
Natural Sources of L-Leucine
      L-Leucine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Pork, Beef, Turkey
          
Vegetable: Buckwheat, Millet, Nuts

5.  
L-Valine:  
                                 
  MDR
L-Valine ha the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 27.3mg and a Growth Dosage Purpose
The following three amino acids work together: L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine & L-Valine.
They are used to help aid in the regulation of blood sugar. They also aid in the
forming hemoglobin (red blood cells).  
                         
 Natural Sources of L-Valine
 nt size="3"> of 95.5mg
             
 L-Valine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Pork, Beef, Turkey
          
Vegetable: Buckwheat, Millet, Nuts

6.  
L-Lysine:  
                                   
MDR
L-Lysine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 22.7mg and a Growth Dosage of 127.3mg
                                
Purpose
L-Lysine is useful for developing bone growth in puppies. It helps digestion by
secreting gastric juices. It helps in converting fats into useable energy.
                         
 Natural Sources of L-Lysine
      L-Lysine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Pork, Turkey, Beef
          
Vegetable:  Beans, Grains

7.  
L-Methionine:
                                   MDR
L-Methionine has a Minimum Daily Dosage per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 13.6mg and a Growth Dosage of 96.4mg
                                
Purpose
L-Methionine assists in the breakdown of fats. It supports in the proper functioning of
the gall bladder. It supports the liver in its function. This is needed to reduce chances
of acquiring dilated cardiomyopathy.
                         
 Natural Sources of L-Methionine
       L-Methionine can be found in both animal and plant sources:
          Animal: Fish, Turkey, Pork, Eggs
          
Vegetable: Sesame seeds, Spinach, Potatoes

8.  
L-Phenylalanine:
                                   Maintenance Dosage of 39.0mg and for a pan style="font-size:16px;line-height:19px;">MDR
L-Phenylalanine has the Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight
foGrowth Dosage
of 177.3mg
                               
 Purpose
L-Phenylalanine supports the nervous system. It prevents loss of pigmentation of skin
and hair.
                             
Natural Sources of L-Phenylalanine
    L-Phenylalanine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Turkey, Pork, Tuna, Chicken
          
Vegetable: Meats, Seeds, Leafy Vegetables, Whole Grains

9.   
L-Tryptophan:
                                   MDR
L-Tryptophan has a Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 5.9 mg and for a Growth Dosage of 37.3mg
                               
 Purpose
L-Tryptophan is needed as a precursor for the forming of other amino acids.
                          Natural Sources of L-Tryptophan
     
 L-Tryptophan can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Turkey, Pork, Tuna
          
Vegetable: Buckwheat, Millet, Oats, Seeds

10.
L-Threonine:  
                                   
MDR
L-Threonine has a Minimum Daily Requirement per pound of body weight for a
Maintenance Dosage of 20.0mg and for a Growth Dosage of 115.5mg
                                
Purpose
L-Threonine is needed as a precursor for the forming of other amino acids.
                          
Natural Sources of L-Threonine
      L-Threonine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
          Animal: Beef, Lamb, Poultry
          
Vegetable: Millet, Mushrooms, Leafy Vegetables







         1.  
http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/contrast.html

         2.  http://dogappetit.com/aminoacids.htm

         3.  http://www.ranvet.com.au/amino_acids.htm

         4.  http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_nutrition_protein.html

         5.  http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/home/health.html

         6.  http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/protein.html

         7.  The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition, By Donald R. Collin, DVM (1989).

         8.  
http://www.freshpetfood.ca/tips.htm

         9.   Canine Nutrition & Breed Specific Diets: The Best Diet For A
                  Chihuahua, By William D Cusick (1997).

         10.  
Understanding Nutrition, By Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes
                  (2005).
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    ARTICLE RESOURCES FOR ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS