/assets/generic/supplement-basics-amino-acids/~default

Supplement Basics: Amino Acids

Why does the body require amino acids?

  • Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
  • Amino acids combine in different ways to make many different kinds of proteins.
  • Protein from the diet is broken down into its individual amino acids; they are then used to create the proteins needed by the body.
  • Muscle, skin, hair, fingernails, anti-bodies, many hormones, and enzymes are made from proteins.

What are the essential amino acids?

  • All of the different proteins in the body are built from 20 amino acids.
  • The body can make some amino acids. These are called non-essential amino acids since they do not necessarily need to be in the diet.
  • There are eight essential amino acids that the body cannot make: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
  • The essential amino acids must be provided in the diet for continued good health.
  • Histidine is semi-essential since the body does not always require a dietary source for this amino acid.

Balancing intake of amino acids

  • Muscle tissue is broken down if the diet does not provide enough protein.
  • The average diet provides more protein than is needed by the body.
  • Too much protein can be a burden on the kidneys.
  • Foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, contain all of the essential amino acids.
  • Plant sources of protein include beans, peas, and grains.
  • The need to combine plant-based proteins (such as beans and rice) is an outdated belief; in an average diet protein deficiencies rarely occur. Those following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet may need to be more vigilant in their protein intake.

Copyright © 2024 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

Information expires December 2024.