[uh-spahr-tik]
Aspartic acid (asparaginic acid) is a non essential amino acid, and this basically means that our bodies produce it, even if we do not consume it in food. The two primary sources of aspartic acid are sugar cane and molasses. Aspartic acid is one of only two acidic amino acids, the other being glutamic acid. Both aspartic acid and glutamic are important for enzymes, specifically their active centers, including maintaining the ionic identity of proteins. Aspartic acid plays a key role in the proper function of metabolism during the manufacturing of other amino acids and biochemicals in the ctric acid cycle; these include asparagines, arginine, lysine, methionine, threonine and isoleucine.
While distinguished as a non-essential amino acid, aspartic acid plays an extremely important role in the metabolic processes that lead to the creation of other such amino acids in the citric acid cycle. It helps stamina and acts as a detoxifier, removing excess amounts of ammonia and other chemicals from the blood system. It also very important for the brain and central nervous system, because if ammonia is in the circulatory system it can be highly toxic, and this is ultimately destructive to the central nervous system and may lead to neurological problems.