Amino acids are the building blocks of the protein in your body. Your body needs amino acids to build muscle, produce hormones, synthesize DNA and perform a variety of other vital functions. Your body can produce its own supply of some amino acids, but some amino acids can only be acquired from your diet and are therefore called essential amino acids. Lysine, as essential amino acid, and aspartate, a non-essential amino acid, are two important chemicals that your body requires.
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid that can only be obtained from food or dietary supplements. Lysine is essential in proper growth, energy production and cholesterol maintenance, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lysine also helps absorb calcium from the intestine. Furthermore, lysine is necessary for the production of collagen, which is a structural component of bones, skin and cartilage. Aside from dietary supplements, you can get lysine from meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, fish, soybeans, dairy products and beans.
Symptoms of Lysine Deficiency
Typically, your diet provides you adequate amounts of lysine. However, athletes, strict vegans who do not eat legumes and patients suffering from severe burns may develop a lysine deficiency. Symptoms of lysine deficiency include anemia, concentration problems, lack of appetite, hair loss, unintended weight loss, fatigue, irritability and emotional disturbances, according to Susan Spinasanta, medical editor of SpineUniverse.com, a website created by spine experts. These symptoms are usually treated by increasing lysine intake, whether through diet or the use of nutritional supplements.
Aspartate
Aspartate is a non-essential amino acid. This means that if you are unable to obtain enough aspartate from your diet, your body can produce it from other chemicals within the body. Aspartate usually exists as a negatively charged chemical in the body and therefore can also be called aspartic acid, according to Massey University. As a amino acid, aspartate is vital in hormone production and release. Furthermore, without aspartate, your nervous system cannot function normally.
Sources of Aspartate
Though your body is able to produce aspartate, getting the amino acid from your diet is recommended. Aspartate is found in peanuts, almonds, walnuts, garbanzo beans, soybeans and lentils. Animal sources of aspartic acid include shrimp, beef, eggs and salmon, according to Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health website.
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