Amino Acids

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of peptides, which in turn are the building blocks of proteins (proteins). Besides building block, some amino acids also have a role as precursor (starting substance that is converted into another substance during biosynthesis).

Amino acids are fairly simple molecules, peptides consist of a limited number of amino acids, and proteins are among the most bulky and complex molecules in existence. Proteins (proteins) play a crucial role in all living organisms and are also referred to as the "building blocks of life."

There are about 500 known different natural amino acids. Of these, 20 are called fundamental because they are found in human proteins.

Our body takes amino acids from proteins found in food and converts them back into proteins the body needs.

Some of the 20 fundamental amino acids our body can produce itself in this way; these are non-essential.

But there are 9 essential amino acids that our body cannot make itself and must be in our diet as amino acids.

Most amino acids occur in a so-called D and L configuration (a chemical form). Only the L configuration is physiologically active. Therefore, amino acids are often described as (for example) L-tryptophan.

Different amino acids

9 essential amino acids

• L-Phenylalanine
• Histidine
• Isoleucine (BCAA)
• Leucine (BCAA)
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine (BCAA)

12 non-essential amino acids

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Asparagine
• Asparagic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamine
• Glutamic acid
• Glycine
• Proline
• Serine
• Tyrosine

Other amino acids

There are a large number of non-fundamental amino acids. Some of these, with specific actions, are often found in dietary supplements:

• 5-HTP
• Creatine
• Carnitine
• Carnosine
• Citrulline
• Ergothioneine
• GABA
• NAC
• Ornithine
• SAMe
• Theanine
• Taurine