Essential amino acids – You’ve heard of it, but do you know what they are?
The human body needs amino acids which are the proteins’ building blocks. Our body connects together these amino acids in such a way that it builds proteins. Changing a single amino acid in a protein would create another protein which would have another function as well.
Proteins are structures that are quite complex and are found in each cell of our body. Moreover, they make up our organs, muscles, and our immune system. Hence, we need more amino acids for more different proteins for our body to function right and properly.
Essential Amino Acids Explained
There are 20 amino acids which are all imperative for the body to have. However, only 9 of the 20 amino acids are categorized as “essential” as our body cannot produce them on its own. As they are “essential”, we need to get these amino acids from certain foods or from Essential Amino Acid (EAA) supplements.
Essential amino acids explained. Below are the 9 essential amino acids and the varied and crucial role they play in our body for it to function right, better and well:
- HISTIDINE is utilized to yield histamine. This neurotransmitter is imperative to our digestion, immune response, sexual function as well as to our sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, this amino acid is crucial to maintain the protective barrier, called myelin sheath, that surrounds our nerve cells
- ISOLEUCINE is relevant to our muscle metabolism. It is heavily focused in the muscle tissue and helps in the production of hemoglobin, crucial for our immune function, and regulation of energy.
- LEUCINE is vital for muscle repair as well as protein synthesis. Moreover, leucine aids in regulating the sugar levels in the blood, production of growth hormones, and accelerates wound healing.
- LYSINE has a major role to play in terms of protein synthesis, production of enzymes and hormones and in calcium absorption. Also, lysine is vital for the production of energy, proper function of our immune system and in the production of elastin and collagen.
- METHIONINE, in terms of metabolism as well as detoxification, plays a very significant part. It is crucial and needed for tissue growth as well as in the absorption of minerals, selenium and zinc which are imperative to our health.
- PHENYLALANINE is an antecedent for dopamine, tyrosine, norepinephrine and epinephrine which are all neurotransmitters. This essential amino acid plays a fundamental role in the composition and function of various enzymes and proteins and enzymes as well as the in other amino acids’ production.
- THREONINE is a major component to the structure of proteins like elastin and collagen, which are imperative constituents of the connective and skin tissue. Threonine plays a part the functon of our immunes system and fat metabolism as well.
- TRYPTOPHAN is frequently linked with drowsiness, however this amino acid has a lot of other important functions such as in the maintenance of the proper balance of nitrogen. It is also precursor to neurotransmitter serotonin which regulates our mood, sleep and appetite.
- VALINE aids in the growth and regeneration of our muscles and plays a role in the production of energy.