Amino acids

Definition:

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins which, in turn, are essential for life. They’re organic molecules that contain both an amino group and a carboxylic acid group. There are estimated to be over 500 different amino acids found in nature, but only 20 of them are used to build proteins in the human body. ^[1]

These 20 amino acids can be combined in different ways to create an array of proteins, each with a unique structure and function. Proteins are involved in almost every biological process, including building and repairing tissues, transporting molecules throughout the body, and carrying out chemical reactions. ^[2]

There are two main types of amino acids:

• Essential amino acids: These can’t be made by the body, so you need to get them from the food you eat. There are nine essential amino acids.
• Nonessential amino acids: These can be made by the body from other amino acids or from breakdown products of proteins in the diet.