Amino acids are fundamental components of proteins. Proteins in our body are broken down into amino acids. Our body requires 20 amino acids to function normally.
Amino Acid Breakdown:
Essential Amino Acids – Amino acids that our body cannot synthesize on its own, especially necessary after exertion, illness, etc. (Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine)
Semi-essential Amino Acids – Amino acids that our body can synthesize, but there may be a deficiency in these amino acids in the case of exertion (exercise), stress, or illness (Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glycine, Tyrosine)
Non-essential Amino Acids – Amino acids that our body can synthesize on its own (Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Ornithine, Taurine)
Unlike fats and carbohydrates, our body cannot store amino acids, so our diet must be rich in proteins.