Definition
Essential amino acids (EAA) form a group of nine amino acids that cannot be produced within the body (de novo) but which must be ingested as dietary protein. The building blocks of proteins, amino acids, are linked together to produce polymer chains or folded proteins with a variety of functions. There are three groups of amino acids: essential, non-essential and conditional.
List of 9 essential acids
This list of 9 essential acids briefly describes the role of each within the human body.
Histidine
Histidine is an essential amino acid in children; however, this is not the case in adults unless kidney function is impaired. Histidine is necessary for human growth. It is also important for maintaining nervous system and is a metabolite of the neurotransmitter histamine. The most important role of histidine is to metabolise and regulate heavy metals, including the ironthe copperthe molybdenumthe zinc and the manganese. A body low in histidine but high in trace metals quickly depletes any histidine stores, leading to mineral enzyme deficiencies.
Isoleucine
Isoleucine is known for its use in supplements for endurance athletes. The three essential amino acids isoleucine, leucine and valine make up to 70% of all human proteins. Isoleucine plays a role in tissue repair, haemoglobin synthesis and the regulation of glucose and energy levels in the body. blood. Isoleucine can also be safely consumed in relatively large amounts, making it a popular ingredient in sports supplements.
Leucine
Leucine is one of the three branched-chain amino acids. Leucine, isoleucine and valine form the BCAA group of essential amino acids. Leucine aids fat metabolism without reducing muscle mass. For this reason, leucine is often used as a weight-loss supplement, but works best in combination with vigorous exercise. Vegans tend to have low levels of leucine as this amino acid is mainly found in meat and dairy products.
Lysine
Lysine is required for the absorption of calcium and is therefore essential for the healthy functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Lysine also aids in the production of collagen and carnitine. Vegans and vegetarians can find sources of lysine in legumes. Lysine deficiency can cause symptoms such as slow growth, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and infertility. It can be used to reduce the number of seizure episodes in neurological patients; however, it can be used to reduce the number of seizure episodes in neurological patients.Lysine-restricted diets are recommended in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.
Methionine
Methionine is found in meat, dairy and whole foods and is therefore not necessarily required in supplement form. Inadequate conversion of methionine may lead to atherosclerosis, as this essential amino acid plays a role in lipid biosynthesis and fatty acids. Methionine is one of the two amino acids that contain the element sulphurthe other is cysteine. Sulphur plays an important role in antioxidant synthesis. Methionine supplements, either in dietary or powdered form, are beneficial for women and men suffering from oestrogen dominance or people with liver disease. However, recent studies on the positive effects of low methionine diets in improving cancer and cellular outcomes. Longevity can take a look at the works of methionine supplementation. Vegans and vegetarians need not worry as their diet is naturally low in this essential amino acid.
Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is a precursor to tyrosine, adrenaline and noradrenaline, the latter of which increases mental alertness and memory, improves mood and suppresses appetite. Phenylketonuria refers to the lack of an enzyme that allows the body to use phenylalanine. This inability to use phenylalanine causes high levels of this amino acid to circulate in the body and there is no way to use it. The result is severe and irreversible mental retardation. if this disorder is not treated after the first three weeks of life..
Threonine
Threonine works together with aspartic acid and methionine to promote the metabolism of fats in the body. liver and avoid fatty liver (steatosis). In the CT scan image below, a healthy liver is shown above and a fatty liver scan below. This essential amino acid is also integral to nervous system health and patients with multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s disease often take supplements. Threonine is necessary for the synthesis of glycine and serine and therefore aids in the production of collagen, elastin, and tissue muscle. More recent research is investigating its use as a therapy for colitis.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is one of the most recognised amino acid supplements and a key ingredient in health shop supplements that improve energy levels and mood. The reason tryptophan has become so popular in this area of the health industry is due to its role as a precursor to serotonin; it is also a precursor to melatonin, enzymes and structural proteins and low levels are perhaps partially responsible for the onset of migraine. With recent studies looking into the role of gut- and blood-produced serotonin, we are now looking at the role of serotonin. brain barrier, the role of tryptophan is judged to be very significant. It is currently used to successfully treat depressive menopausal conditions, calm children diagnosed with ADHD, reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Valine
Valine, leucine and isoleucine form a group of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). which exhibit a different structure to other types of amino acids and are often sold as a group package in the dietary supplement industry. It is one of the essential amino acids most readily available to vegans and vegetarians and is found in sufficient quantities in green leafy vegetables and beans. Valine plays multiple positive roles within the human body. Its effect on the nervous system calms moments of stress and improves sleep quality. It can also improve cognitive function. Valine aids in all types of recovery, repair and growth of muscle tissue and is therefore often used by endurance athletes. Proven to decrease appetite, it is also an ingredient in many weight-loss supplements.
Non-essential amino acids
12 non-essential amino acids are produced within the bodyalthough many believe in providing more sources through amino acid supplements or protein-rich diets. Humans can synthesise alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, cysteine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, taurine and tyrosine. Congenital deficiencies of non-essential amino acids and their catalytic enzymes can result in abnormal phenotypes caused by an inability to genetics to form certain proteins. This can be seen in low or non-existent production of arginine and glycine amidinotransferase leading to mental retardation and muscle abnormalities. Lack of glutathione synthetase, even in the presence of abundant non-essential amino acids, causes patients to show signs of oxidative stress, progressive neurological disorders, haemolytic anaemia and metabolic acidosis.
Conditional amino acids
Six amino acids are conditionally essential in the human diet. This means that, under certain conditions, the human body’s ability to produce them is limited.. This does not refer to genetic disorders or diseases, but to natural and temporary physiological states, such as in premature babies or under conditions of extreme stress with physiology associated. The six conditional amino acids are arginine, cysteine, glycine, glutamine, proline and tyrosine. Arginine is sometimes included in the lists of essential amino acids, as premature infants cannot synthesise it.
Discover our guide to branched-chain amino acids.