Archive for December 2007
Amino Acids – A Brief Discussion

The following briefly discusses amino acids in a plant-based diet.
Enzymes break down protein into four units, namely:
i) Polypeptides;
ii) Dipeptides;
iii) Peptides;
iv) Amino acids –> amino acids are the smallest unit of protein.
There are approximately twenty-two amino acids that are of interest to biochemists; eight of which are essential (the human body cannot generate or synthesize these) and fourteen that can be synthesized by the human body (derived from the eight essential ones).
In alphabetical order, the eight essential amino acids are:
i) Isoleucine
ii) Leucine
iii) Lysine
iv) Methionine
v) Phenylalanine
vi) Threonine
vii) Tryptophan
viii) Valine
Mother Earth’s Plea

“I am Earth, your significant other
and your ailing, endangered mother.
I am treated much like a garbage can
by the selfish species; modern man.
Human birth rates are out of control!”
Mother Earth cries, “I’m paying the toll!
I can’t support all the lives that you bring,
You humans are a perplexing thing.
You breed cattle which erodes my topsoil,
You KILL for my depleted supply of oil,
You destroy my skies and pollute with noise!”
Planet Earth calms and gathers her poise.
“To illustrate my point, observe a tree,
who shares its oxygen and energy,
Peaceably growing up to the light,
Yet, it’s a target practice in some men’s sight!”
Our planet Earth continues to speak,
“You EAT rather than PROTECT the weak.
You needlessly kill animals for food.
All of my creatures, your diets’ include!”
Mother Earth quiets and ponders awhile
“Perhaps I should change my speaking style?
Instead, I will uplift with my beauty
To inspire is a true orator’s duty.”