Information On Proline

Proline contains no primary but a secondary amino group and is therefore actually an alpha-imino acid, but it is nevertheless referred to as an amino acid. It is the one exception to the general structure of amino acids.

This is a nonessential amino acid that is synthesized by the body from the amino acids glutamine or ornithine and is involved in the body's production of glutamic acid. In foods, it is found readily in dairy products and eggs, with some found in meats or wheat germ.

This amino acid is used for skin problems e.g., acne or ulcers etc., to help strengthen the skin structure, and retain a smooth texture.

Proline is one of the main components of collagen. Collagen fibres are found in the tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body. Proline also promotes the formation of bone, skin and cartilage and it is extremely important for the proper functioning of joints and tendons, also helps maintain and strengthen heart muscles and is helpful in tissue repair after injury, or for any type of wound healing. Proline is also involved in energy production.

Vitamin C deficiency will cause proline to be lost in the urine because of collagen breakdown. This is an early sign and precursor of degenerative disease.

Of all of the non-mineral constituents of the mammalian body there is more collagen than anything else except water and possibly fat. Nevertheless our understanding of the physiology of collagen is rudimentary. All cells and tissues are supported by a network of collagen fibres, the arrangement of which appears to be specifically site adaptive. We know a lot about the biochemistry of collagen, and its many subtypes: for example, all collagen molecules are made within fibroblasts (or modifications of them such as osteocytes), then the oversized collagen molecule is secreted in a soluble form, with hydrophilic ends which are enzymatically cleaved to leave the insoluble core collagen (tropocollagen) beached in the extracellular space. We know that collagen is made relatively immortal by being cross-linked and rather impervious to proteolysis. However, we do not know much about what governs collagen synthesis or its breakdown in the human body. It is important to know, not simply because like Everest, collagen presents a large unignorable mass. We need to understand collagen metabolism in order to understand how we grow, adapt to the environment, maintain our adult shapes and then wrinkle and crumble as we age. Collagen diseases are relatively common and almost certainly if we knew more about how, for example, the collagen framework of bone is laid down and turned over we would understand much more about osteopenia of old age.

There are safe treatments for reversing atherosclerotic plaque build-up caused by lipoprotein(a), Angina Pectoris, Congestive Heart Failure and muscular problems that interfere with general heart health. Since these treatments are non-toxic, and usually promote health, do not be afraid to take them in appropriate (high) dosages.

Linus Pauling did not specifically recommend supplementing with the amino acid l-proline, but his former associate Matthias Rath, MD, does. There is research to indicate that proline in solution with vitamin C is up to 10 times more effective in dissolving plaque than lysine and vitamin C in the test tube.

Proline is very important in the process of reversing atherosclerotic deposits. The therapeutic effect is two-fold. First, proline helps to prevent the further build-up of atherosclerotic deposits; second, proline helps to release already deposited fat globules from the blood vessel wall into the blood stream. When many fat globules are released from the plaques in the artery walls, the deposit size decreases, leading to a reversal of cardiovascular disease.

According to the Pauling/Rath 1994 United States patent, the amino acids lysine and proline (lysine analogs), along with vitamin C and other antioxidants (e.g. Co-Q10, vitamin E and vitamin A), in sufficient concentration inhibit Lp(a) binding to exposed lysine and proline residues. In layman terms, these substances prevent plaque from forming.

The Pauling "mega" dosage recommendations are based on the degree of illness. Pauling's strongest statement was that large megadoses of Lp(a) binding inhibitors taken orally, well beyond what we normally consume, raise blood concentrations to therapeutic levels. At these levels, apparently achievable in most people, the Lp(a) binding inhibitors will prevent and may even dissolve existing atherosclerotic plaque build-ups.

High intakes of these substances, esp. vitamin C and lysine, are known as the Pauling therapy.

  • Christensen-KD; Zimmermann-NG; Wyatt-CL; Goodman-TN; Buhr-RJ; Twining-PF. Mitigating the effects of halofuginone on skin strength by feeding L-proline to broiler chickens. Poult-Sci. 1995 Oct. 74 (10). pp 1610-21.
  • Rennie MJ. Teasing out the truth about collagen. J Physiol (Lond) 1999 Nov 15;521 Pt 1:1
  • Matthias Rath M.D. "Why Animals Don?t Get Heart Attacks ... But People Do" MR Publishers; ISBN 90-76332-03-7

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