In this short educational installment (part 13) of the Cancer and Biochemistry series from Nature Works Best, Dr. Colleen Huber (October 2018) explains the roles of the amino acids alanine, serine, and glycine (with a brief look at cysteine) in the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle). She connects them to healthy mitochondrial function, protein synthesis, DNA/RNA production, mental health, cell membrane integrity, and detoxification—contrasting this with cancer-promoting metabolic pathways discussed in prior videos. Dr. Huber highlights that these “non-essential” amino acids are actually hyper-essential because the body produces them internally, details their food sources, and stresses their importance for normal cellular energy and defense against toxins like heavy metals via glutathione.

Three Most Important Points:

1. Alanine is a small but highly active amino acid (made in the body from pyruvate) that fuels abundant protein production, especially in muscle, the nervous system, and the immune system; it is readily available in eggs, turkey, beef, and seaweed.

2. Glycine and serine interconvert easily, support mental health (including phosphatidylserine for protecting against age-related cognitive decline), enable DNA/RNA synthesis and healthy cell membranes via phospholipids, and are abundant in meats, dairy, beans, legumes, and vegetables.

3. These amino acids (plus cysteine, which contains sulfur) feed into the citric acid cycle to promote healthy metabolism over cancer pathways; cysteine is a key component of the powerful antioxidant glutathione, which helps the liver remove heavy metals such as mercury and lead.