Essential Amino Acids - Amino Acid Supplements - Amino Acid Complex
Essential Amino Acids are the "building Blocks" of the body. Besides building cells and repairing tissue, they form antibodies to combat invading bacteria & viruses; they are part of the enzyme & hormonal system; they build nucleoproteins (RNA & DNA); they carry oxygen throughout the body and participate in muscle activity. When protein is broken down by digestion the result is 22 known amino acids. Eight are essential amino acids (cannot be manufactured by the body) the rest are non-essential (can be manufactured by the body with proper nutrition).
Brands of amino acid supplements and amino acid complex that we carry:
Doctors Best, Nutricology, Rainbow Light, Schiff Bio Foods and Twinlab
Essential Amino Acids |
Nonessential Amino Acids |
Isoleucine |
Alanine |
Leucine |
Asparagine |
Lysine |
Aspartate |
Methionine |
Cysteine |
Phenylalanine |
Glutamate |
Threonine |
Glutamine |
Tryptophan |
Glycine |
Valine |
Proline |
Arginine* |
Serine |
Histidine* |
Tyrosine |
In chemistry, an amino acid is any molecule that contains both amine and carboxyl functional groups. In biochemistry, this shorter and more general term is frequently used to refer to alpha amino acids: those amino acids in which the amino and carboxylate functionalities are attached to the same carbon, the so-called α–carbon. These amino acids are used as the basic components of proteins. There are twenty "standard" amino acids used by cells in protein biosynthesis that are specified by the general genetic code. A list of standard amino acids describes their chemical structures and basic physical and chemical properties.
What are amino acids used for?
In nutrition, amino acids are the basic structural building units of proteins. They form short polymer chains called peptides or polypeptides which in turn form structures called proteins. The process of such formation from an mRNA template is known as translation, which is part of protein synthesis. Some of the 20 standard proteinogenic amino acids are called essential amino acids because the human body cannot synthesize them from other compounds through chemical reactions, and they therefore must be obtained from food. Histidine and arginine are generally only considered essential in children, because the metabolic pathways that synthesize these essential amino acids are not fully developed in children.
The phrase branched-chain amino acids can be used used to refer to the amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. The combination of these three essential amino acids create and sustain about one-third of the musculo-skeletal system of our bodies, and play an important role in making protein. Branched chain amino acids are used to help burn victims recover, as well as an amino acid supplement for bodybuilders and endurance athletes.
Essential Amino Acids - Trivia
A helpful mnemonic for remembering essential amino acids is "Private Tim Hall" (PVT TIM HALL). Arginine, although not required in normal adults is required for infants. Another, that lists them in alphabetical order, is "ILL MPs Take To Valium." Kreb's trick to remember the essential amino acids: Archibald Vivian HILL Member of Parliament Tea Totalist.
