What Are Organic Acids & How Are They Associated with Your Health?

The word "organic" is everywhere these days, partly because, under the influence of English, it is misused to mean biological, as in "organic food." But what do we mean by "organic," and specifically "organic acids," in the context of our health?

A little scientific jargon: organic and organic acids:

In chemistry, the adjective "organic" refers to any molecule containing a carbon atom, not agriculture or organic foods, as the term is now widely used. "Organic acids" are found in a variety of microbes and foods. But our bodies also produce them, by metabolizing food molecules and nutrients, and through neurotransmitters and toxins. These acids are often called upon to change state and transform through their interaction with various enzymes in cells. For example, a doctor might look for homovanillic acid in urine to determine dopamine levels in the body, which can be useful when Parkinson's disease is suspected.

Why are organic acids so important?

Now that we've clarified the chemical meaning of the terms "organic" and "organic acids," let's take a look at what makes them so important. Analyzing organic acids can tell us about the state of the body: nutrient levels, hormonal function, and even the state of the microbiome are crucial to understanding our overall health. Today, we'll focus on a few organic acids that studies show improve and promote our well-being. Among the organic acids that are of great benefit to human health, we'll highlight those that are also nutrients, for example: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), amino acids, which create proteins and neurotransmitters on their own, and fatty acids.

Ascorbic acid is a well-known antioxidant. Simply put, it travels through the body searching for molecules damaged by oxygen and restoring them by neutralizing oxidation. It's this same oxidation that causes apple flesh to turn brown when exposed to air. But sprinkle it with lemon juice, and the antioxidant vitamin C it contains will prevent this discoloration.

Amino acids

Amino acids build all our tissues. Exercise causes microscopic damage to our muscle cells, but while we sleep, amino acids from our food work to repair the damage, strengthening our muscles in the process. Amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters. For example, tryptophan is used in the production of serotonin and melatonin, while tyrosine is used to make epinephrine, dopamine, and thyroid hormone. Therefore, getting a regular intake of quality protein is essential for our mental and physical health.

Fatty acids

Fatty acids store energy, but they also have other properties. For example, the caprylic acid found in coconut oil is an antifungal used in the treatment of candidiasis, among other things.

Other organic acids to know about

Other good-for-us organic acids are used to produce energy within our cells. You may not be familiar with them all, or they may be buried deep in your memory (hello, Bio 101!). Or maybe you have an idea of what they are, but you're unaware of the full scope of their effects on your body.

Let’s go back for a moment, if you don’t mind, to that famous biology class…

The body gets its energy from dietary fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. That said, sugar (glucose) is the preferred form of energy for many cells. However, the amount of energy in each glucose molecule is far too large for a tiny cell to absorb all at once. It's a bit like trying to power a light bulb with lightning. Therefore, glucose molecules must be broken down into small energy chunks that the cell can easily absorb. Imagine yourself in a market: it's easier to spend 100 $1 coins here and there than one large $100 bill.

The citric acid cycle

Digesting the massive influx of energy into small pieces relies on the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle. Oxygen, enzymes, and B vitamins continuously metabolize organic acids, producing small doses of energy for the cell while releasing CO2.

Consequently, foods that provide the body with some of the organic acids used during the citric acid cycle help run the machinery that provides energy to the cell. This translates into additional energy for cells in the brain, muscles, liver, skin, and more.
Citric acid is present to varying degrees in many common foods such as strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, and pineapples, but also in food additives. In the latter, it serves either to impart a sour flavor to foods or to lower their pH to prevent them from spoiling. While additives are a quick and easy way to provide citric acid to our system, it is not the most balanced method. When consumed, citric acid is naturally present in foods, its content is also absorbed naturally due to the nutrients contained in those foods. Absorption is not balanced in the case of additives, for example in the case of a sour candy which provides the body with an overload of citric acid without the nutrients which assist it in its cellular functions.

Acetic acid

Acetic acid also plays a role in the citric acid cycle. As such, it helps produce energy for the cell. Acetic acid isn't just one of the main ingredients in vinegar: it's been shown to aid the enzymes responsible for increasing fat metabolism and reducing fat accumulation1—which might explain why humans love to put vinegar on their fries so much. But alas! acetic acid doesn't have the power to improve the quality of frying oil or turn fried doughnuts into a superfood. It can, however, limit the damage.
Lactic acid, like acetic acid, is a very common byproduct of fermentation. It's found in dairy products like yogurt, kefir, and cheese, but also in sauerkraut, pickles, and other fermented vegetables. The majority of our friendly microbiome is made up of lactic acid bacteria, bacteria that live inside us and ferment the food we eat.

Conclusion

We're made up of dozens of structural organic acids, and the ones in our food may be naturally occurring or added. Our bodies are constantly producing, destroying, absorbing, and releasing them. The best way to get the right dose of organic acids for a healthy, balanced life is to choose whole foods from a variety of sources and to be mindful of our digestion while we eat. So, turn off your screens at the table! Finally, organic acids found in food additives (like citric acid in drinks and candy) can upset our delicate internal balance. This is another reason, if ever there was one, to avoid refined and artificially flavored "pseudo-foods."

This blog post was originally published on June 8, 2017