L-Proline is a nonessential amino acid meaning the body can reproduce or synthesize it from other components and amino acids(But To be more specific Proline is an amino acid since it contains a secondary amine group, called an imine, instead of a primary amine group).
What health benefits does proline amino acid have?
When in collaboration with glycine, It becomes the vital component for synthesizing collagen and plays a key role in joints and tendon maintenance.
Collagen is the major supportive protein of skin, tendons, bones, and connective tissue and promotes their health and healing. A normal diet contains about 5 grams of proline in a day.
People who suffer from poor skin health, have problem in recovery and healing of body tissue like ulcers and tendon pain, have gastrointestinal problems(since it improves gut health and nutrient absorption) and ranked high risk for Cardiac disease are believed to benefit from getting more of this amino acid.
Studies found during early phases of wound healing, wound fluid proline levels are at least 50% higher than plasma levels and researches also believe it can help body metabolize or prevent cellulite as well since It helps modulate mitochondrial functions, influence cell proliferation or cell death and trigger specific gene expression.
It also promotes the immune system, improves antioxidant status and aids in metabolism by increasing the energy output while training in 6 to 10 RPE phase(Rated Perceived Exertion), thus aiding in fat loss as well.
It also has been shown to prevent tooth decay and improve dental hygiene.
Proline can protect the heart and arterial walls by preventing lipids like LDL(bad cholesterol) from accumulating in the bloodstream and by controlling blood pressure. Amino acids are needed to form blood vessels/arteries. Increasing the intake of this amino acid that form collagen may be beneficial for treating arteriosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arterial walls).
Foods high in amino acid proline
bone broth and bone cartilage are the best sources of L-proline. Also some gelatin products contain considerable amounts of proline. organ meats like liver, grass-fed beef, intestines of goat and sheep, pasture-raised chicken(especially legs), wild-caught fish and eggshell membranes and egg yolk are also good sources of proline.