Acids are compounds that react to bases. For instance, when a powerful acid is poured on a base of metal, the acid reacts and erodes the metal. While this view of acids’ power is often what comes to mind when hearing the word "acid," they can actually be good for our bodies. Acids are found in many of the foods you eat and are located throughout your body.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of life. They combine to create the proteins that compose your body. Amino acids are also found in the foods you eat. As your body digests dietary proteins, the amino acids that are left over help your body to repair body tissues, digest other foods and promote new growth. Most amino acids either come from the foods you eat or are created in your body. However, some amino acids, known as conditional amino acids, are created by your body when you're healthy and may need to be attained from food in times of poor health. These amino acids include glutamine, arginine and proline.
Digestive Acids
Your stomach contains a variety of enzymes and acids that break down the foods you eat. Stomach acid, known as hydrochloric acid, allows your small intestine to absorb the nutrients you eat. This stomach acid is so important to absorption that low acid levels can cause an iron deficiency, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vitamins
Many of the vitamins you need to remain healthy are also acids. Vitamin C, B5 and B9 for instance, are also known as ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid and folic acid, respectively. Your body uses these essential vitamins in a variety of ways. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that removes harmful free radicals from your body and promotes tissue repair. Pantothenic acid transforms fats, cholesterol and steroid hormones so they can be used by your body. Folic acid is required for healthy fetal growth and is a crucial vitamin for women of childbearing age, according to the Women's Health website of the National Institutes of Health.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids, like omega-3 fatty acids, help to clot your blood and build bodily membranes and may even protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to Dr. Frank Sacks of the Harvard School of Public Health. These healthy acids are found in walnuts, fish, soybeans, vegetable oils and some green vegetables. Your body cannot synthesize fatty acids, so you must attain your daily share, around 500 mg, from the foods you eat.
References
- Medline Plus; Amino Acids; Alison Evert et al.; February 2011
- Harvard School of Public Health; Ask the Expert: Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Dr. Frank Sacks et al.
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Pantothenic Acid; Jane Higdon et al.; May 2004
- WomensHealth.gov: Folic Acid Fact Sheet
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid); Steven D. Ehrlich et al.
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Your Digestive System and How It Works; April 2008
- Centers for Disease Control: Iron and Iron Deficiency
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