Asparagine, which is found in foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy products, was once considered non-essential because it is also produced naturally by the body.
And that is true, for every organ except the brain, where the amino acid is essential for normal brain development.
“The cells of the body can do without it because they use asparagine provided through diet. Asparagine, however, is not well transported to the brain via the blood-brain barrier,” said senior co-author of the study Dr. Jacques Michaud, who found that brain cells depend on the local synthesis of asparagine to function properly.
Read the full, original story here: Sorry NPR Listeners, This Meat, Egg And Dairy Nutrient Is Essential For Brain Development
