List of Amino Acids

In your diet, the protein you consume is made up of compounds called amino acids. The human body relies on amino acids, along with other compounds, for survival. These amino acids play a pivotal role in DNA replication, muscle building, tissue repair and much more. Registered dietitian Gordon Wardlaw states that there are 20 amino acids used in DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Essential Amino Acids

Of the 20 amino acids, nine of them are considered essential. This means that they cannot be produced in the body in sufficient amounts or cannot be produced whatsoever. This is why they must be included in the diet. These nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.
The best sources for essential amino acids include beef, chicken, fish, dairy, whey protein and soy.

Nonessential Amino Acids

The other 11 amino acids are considered unessential. This means that these amino acids can be produced by the human body sufficiently or can be made from some of the essential amino acids. These 11 nonessential amino acids are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.

Conditionally Essential Amino Acids

Within the group of nonessential amino acids, there is a subgroup considered to be conditionally essential amino acids. This means that in a healthy individual they would be produced sufficiently; however, in some disease states or particular groups of individuals the body cannot produce them sufficiently. These five conditionally essential amino acids are arginine, cysteine, glutamine, proline and tyrosine.
These amino acids should be added into your diet through foods such as meats, dairy, soy and protein supplements. If you supplement each amino acid individually, amino acid imbalances can occur. Food sources have the amino acids in a ratio that is best utilized by the body.