Essential Amino Acids List

Amino acids are important for our life and they play a major role in metabolism. They are also known as the building blocks of proteins. The amino acids can be linked together with each other in many sequences in order to form a huge variety of proteins. Apart from this, amino acids play a very important role in the other biological activities and nutrition. There are 20 amino acids essential for our body out of which 9 are known as essential amino acids.

Essential amino acids are those that are not synthesized(made or manufactured) by the human body and hence are needed to be supplied to the human beings, as a part of their diet. Essential amino acids are also known as indispensable amino acids which means that they are necessary for our body. As they are not synthesized by our body, it is essential to include them in our diet and hence the name essential amino acids. The list contains 9 essential ones needed by the human beings. There is a 10th amino acid that is necessary to be provided to the children as the body starts to make this acid once it reaches a certain age.

Essential and Non Essential Amino Acids List

Essential & Non Essential Amino Acids
Essential Amino Acids	Non Essential Amino Acids
Arginine	Alanine
Isoleucine	Aspartate
Leucine	Cysteine
Lysine	Glutamate
Methionine	Glutamine
Phenylalanine	Glycine
Threonine	Proline
Tryptophan	Serine
Valine	Asparagine
Tyrosine	Pyrrolysine
-	Selenocysteine

9 Essential Amino Acids

Arginine: This is one of the essential amino acids as it not only slows down the growth of cancer and tumors, but it also helps in increasing the immunity of the body. It can be good for people suffering from arthritis. It increases the muscle mass in the body and helps in bone and collagen building. It helps the pancreas in releasing the insulin. Chocolate, coconuts, oats, meat, walnuts are some of the important arginine amino acid sources.

Isoleucine: This amino acid benefits in the formation of hemoglobin. It is also essential for blood sugar stabilization and its regularization. It is also essential to keep up the energy levels. Isoleucine is needed for the repair of muscle tissue. Some of the best sources of this amino acid are eggs, fish, almonds, chickpeas, lentils and soy.

Histidine: Histidine is important for the production of red and white blood cells and also for the growth of tissues. This acid may help in treating nerve deafness. It also helps the body in digestion. Rice and wheat are the best sources of histidine.

Leucine: Leucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid because of a hydrocarbon side chain. It is necessary in the infants for them to grow properly. It releases a lot of energy during any form of exercise, it is one of the amino acid benefits. These amino acids are also called precursors of cholesterol. Almonds, oats, beans, chickpeas and corn are some of the food sources of leucine.

Lysine: Lysine is said to improve concentration. They assist in muscle mass and tissue repair. This essential amino acid is also helpful in preventing fertility problems. It is important for the proper growth and development in children. It also helps in calcium absorption. Cheese, potatoes, lima beans, milk etc. are the primary sources of lysine. There are both, benefits and side effects of L-lysine, hence avoid excessive consumption.

Methionine: It supplies sulfur to the body. Apart from supporting the liver function, it also protects against radiation, helps in preventing tumors, assists in breaking down of fats. Methionine is also beneficial for those who are suffering from osteoporosis. The sources of methionine are meat, eggs, seeds, yogurt, lentils and garlic.

Phenylalanine: The natural source for this amino acid is the breast milk of mammals. It is used for rheumatoid arthritis and for alcohol withdrawal support. It is used for migraine pain, menstrual cramps and it also works as a mood lifter. It is essential as it curbs hunger and food cravings. Peanuts, cheese, soybeans, sesame seeds are some of the common sources of this amino acid.

Threonine: This essential amino acid helps the body produce more of antibodies thereby enhancing the immunity system. It plays an important role in collagen production. It is in the essential amino acid lists because it is necessary to maintain a proper protein balance in the body. It also does not allow fats to build up on the liver. The best and common sources of threonine are wheat, brown rice, fish, peanuts etc.

Tryptophan: Again an essential amino acid due to the fact that it used by the brain for the production of serotonin (useful for the feeling of well-being). It is important for management of depression and schizophrenia. It aids in blood clotting process. These wonderful amino acids help us to regulate the sleep cycle. It also prevents insomnia, impatience, depression and anxiety. Eggs, lamb, sesame seeds, beef, tuna are some of the foods rich in tryptophan.

Valine: Valine is needed in the body to regulate the metabolism process and to repair muscle tissues. Useful for the people who have just come out of drug addiction as they help to correct the amino acids deficiencies caused due to drugs. It is necessary for the balancing of the nitrogen in the body. It also acts as a stimulant. Diary, mushrooms, soy proteins are the rich food sources for valine.

Apart from the above Tyrosine is also a part of the essential amino acids list, as it is needed in the infants and children for their proper growth and development. Tyrosine is important for the functioning of the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland and it defends the skin against radiation. Because the infants cannot manufacture it, it becomes an essential acid in the early ages of the human beings. Once the children grow up and their body starts making these acids, they become the non-essential amino acids. Apart from the natural food items, amino acid supplements can also be taken after consultation with the doctor.

Deficiencies of these amino acids will lead to retarded growth, childhood edema, lack of energy, susceptibility to dangerous diseases due to decrease in the immunity system. Take a high protein diet and include the food items that are mentioned above in your daily diet for your daily dose of amino acids.