Essential Amino Acids: Vital for Your Health

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in the body, and they also function as intermediates in metabolism. The body can synthesize all the amino acids needed to build the body’s proteins, except for 10 called essential amino acids. These essential amino acids have to be acquired via an adequate diet filled with cereal grains, legumes, dairy products and meats.

The eight essential amino acids are:

Isoleucine—one of the essential amino acids that can be found in many foods but there are high contents in fish, meats and cheeses, as well as nuts and wheat germ. It helps in energy production.
Leucine—readily available in poultry and red meats, it can also be found in dairy products. These essential amino acids can be metabolized to produce energy.
Lysine—high amounts of these essential amino acids can be found in fish, meats and dairy products. It helps absorb calcium in the intestinal tract, promotes bone growth and the formation of collagen.
Methionine—can’t be found in proteins like legumes and peanuts, but it can be found in higher amounts in eggs and fish. Foods contain less amounts of methionine than any of the other essential amino acids.
Phenylalanine—these essential amino acids can be found in meats and milk products. It is one of the essential amino acids because it affects brain chemistry.
Theronine—can be found in flesh foods, dairy foods and eggs, and in smaller amounts in nuts, beans and some vegetables. Of the essential amino acids, its role is to help in the formation of tooth enamel protein, elastin and collagen.
Tryptophan—is one of the lower essential amino acids and it is found in corn, cereal grains and legumes. It can also be found in flesh foods, dairy products and nuts. It is a precursor for serotonin, which influences mood and sleep. This explains why turkey, which contains tryptophan, makes everyone sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner.
Valine—this essential amino acid can be found in most foods and is a vital part of proteins. It is thought to be useful with addictions, but its exact functions are not well known. It can be metabolized to produce energy and it is a branched-chain amino acid. It is also thought that Valine supplements may help with building muscle, and with liver and gallbladder disease.

Remember, a healthy, balanced diet is vital in the body’s need for essential amino acids. If a person doesn’t obtain enough of these essential amino acids, muscle and protein structures begin to deteriorate.

Essential Amino Acids: Vital For Your Health