What Are Essential Amino Acids?

Amino Acids are needed to assist the body in building proteins. We all know that without proteins, we can’t live. There are about 20 amino acids that the human body needs, and of those there are nine that the body can’t produce by itself.

These are called essential amino acids.  Essential amino acids can’t be synthesized by mammals, humans or otherwise.  The nine amino acids that are regarded as essential are: valine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, histidine, lysine, and leucine.

The difference between essential and non-essential amino acids is blurry because some can be produced from others. Every amino acid is needed to keep the body running correctly.

Everyone needs to add essential amino acids to their body either by eating them or taking supplements. And unless you’re completely 100% sure that your diet is always complete and healthy enough, you should probably go ahead and take a good amino acid supplement.

You’ll get both essential and non-essential amino acids, but that’s fine. If you’re supplementing what your body is making, you’ll be assured that you have everything that you need.

Here’s a listing of the essential amino acids:

1.    Valine – for muscle metabolism and growth and repair of tissue. Also maintains the nitrogen balance in the body.

2.    Phenylalanine – essential for the manufacture of proteins, some brain chemicals and thyroid hormones.

3.    Threonine – supports growth, helps maintain proper protein balance in the body and supports liver, nervous system, cardiovascular and immune system function.

4.    Tryptophan – converts into serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, appetite and impulse control.

5.    Isoleucine – for muscle recovery after exercise, the formation of hemoglobin, regulating blood sugar levels and is involved in blood clot formation.

6.    Methionine – breaks down fats and helps prevent build up of fats in the arteries. Also helps the digestive system and removing heavy metals from the system.

7.    Histidine – helps with repair of tissue, and maintaining the protective covering for nerve cells. Also helps with the manufacture of red and white blood cells, and protects the body from damage from radiation and heavy metals.

8.    Lysine – for bone development and growth in youngsters, it also helps with calcium absorption, maintaining the nitrogen balance in the body and lean body mass.

9.    Leucine – assists with regulating blood sugar levels and the growth and repair of muscle tissue.

These nine amino acids are the ones that we can’t produce ourselves and should supplement. You can use a good quality vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement such as SeaAloe to make sure that you’re getting the complete nutrition that your body needs on a daily basis for optimal health.