Amino Acid Supplements - Protein Digestion - Essential Amino Acids
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 (cannot be manufactured by the body) the rest are non-essential (can be manufactured by the body with proper nutrition). We carry these amino acids brands: 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.
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 amino acids are not fully developed in children.
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.
