The importance of amino acids is directly related to the indispensability of proteins in our body. Proteins are what make up your muscles, ligaments, organs, tendons, tissues, glands, nails, hair – almost every part of your body is made up of proteins. In the same way, repair, maintenance of cells and critical bio-chemicals processes in the body are dependent on proteins.
Amino Acids List
Here is the list of 20 amino acids that your body can not live without:
| Amino Acid | Essential | Non-Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Alanine | * | |
| Asparagine | * | |
| Aspartic acid | * | |
| Arginine | * | |
| Cysteine | * | |
| Glutamine | * | |
| Glycine | * | |
| Glutamic acid | * | |
| Histidine | * | |
| Isoleucine | * | |
| Lysine | * | |
| Leucine | * | |
| Phenylalanine | * | |
| Methionine | * | |
| Serine | * | |
| Proline | * | |
| Tryptophan | * | |
| Threonine | * | |
| Tyrosine | * | |
| Valine | * |
What are the Two Types of Amino Acids?
Amino acids are classified into two general types: essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that can not be synthesized by the body on its own and thus need to be acquired through your diet. Non-essential amino acids are those that your body can produce, specifically by the liver, without any outside help.
F.A.Q
Why are Amino Acids Important?
Amino acids provides the cells the building material to maintain their basic structure, helps them to produce the energy body needs and are essential for every metabolic functioning.
How many amino acids are there?
There are a total of 20 amino acids found in our body.
How many essential amino acids are there?
There are 9 amino acids that are essential for your diet. We should note that arginine is also an essential amino acids during growth periods.
Is Arginine an Essential Amino Acid?
Arginine is known as a semi-essential or conditinally essential amino acid. If you are at a development stage or growth period, it is considered as an essential amino acid. For example, arginine is essential for infants and growing children.
Is Histidine an Essential Amino Acid in Humans?
Histidine was considered as an essenitial amino acids for infants only but further studies have shown that it is essential for both adults and infants.
What are Semi Essential Amino Acids?
Amino acids that is required in certain conditions is known as semi essential amino acids. Arginine and histidine are two amino acids that are grouped as semi essential amino acid. (New studies indicate that histidine is essential for adults)
Can your body manufacture the nine essential amino acids?
In short, your body can not make essential amino acids. You have to get these amino acids from food sources.