Amino acids are bioactive macromolecules with both amino and carboxyl groups. Additionally, they are the building blocks of proteins that one of the most critical nutrients in the body. People need amino acids for many vital process such as building proteins, hormones and neurotransmitters. There are more than 50,000 known specific proteins in the human body, which are made up of 20 basic amino acids. The sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein. As essential components of proteins, amino acids are crutical for nutrition, survival and development of organisms. Additionally, they regulate metabolism and information transmission in the body.
Classification
There are 20 basic amino acids, each of which performs a number of important functions in our body. Depending on whether the body can make them itself, these amino acids can be classified into two types, essential and non-essential.
Essential amino acids, also called indispensable amino acids, cannot synthesize from metabolic pathways. So they must be supplied from an exogenous diet or supplements. Once the human body lacks essential amino acids, it will have abnormal physiological function, affect the normal metabolism of the body, and finally lead to disease. Essential amino acids include leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Because essential amino acids cannot be synthesized in the body, they need to be obtained from food or supplements.
- Non-essential amino acids
Non-essential amino acids, also known as dispensable amino acids, can be made by our body itself, including alanine, aspartic acid, glutamate, arginine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, proline, serine, cysteine, taurine and glycine. It is important to note that non-essential amino acids also play an important role in maintaining normal function in the body, but they are just not an essential part of the diet. The body also needs non-essential amino acids to function optimally.
Functions
Amino acids have the following functions on the body.
Protein is the first nutrient element of human life activities, and the basic unit of protein is amino acid. If the human body lacks any essential amino acid, it will make the body can not successfully synthesize protein and affect body's metabolism.
- Maintain nitrogen balance
The intake of amino acids will affect the nitrogen balance in the body. When excessive amounts of amino acids are taken, the synthesis of proteins exceeds the body's regulatory capacity, which will break the nitrogen balance mechanism. However, if the amino acid intake is too low, the protein will continue to break down, leading to a negative nitrogen balance.
- Improve the body's immunity
Amino acids are essential nutrients for human body, which can accelerate the synthesis of human immune globulin, support various immune cell functions beyond increased protein synthesis and thus play a role in improving immunity.
- Digest and absorb protein
Amino acids play a very important role in digestion and absorption of proteins. Proteins can not be absorbed directly in the human body, it can be used only after transforming into small molecules such as amino acids. These amino acids absorbed and used by cells to build other proteins and a few other macromolecules
Amino Acid Supplements
A balanced and adequate supply of amino acids is a basic prerequisite for good health. Lack of any amino acid supply will affect the immune system and other normal functions, making people vulnerable to disease. Among them, essential amino acids cannot be synthesized on their own, so they must be obtained through external intake, namely diet and supplements. Food sources of essential amino acids are chicken, turkey, beef, pork and eggs. They are also found in some dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. It is difficult for most people to get enough amino acids from food alone. Therefore, if you are not getting enough essential amino acids through your diet, or if your body is not synthesizing enough non-essential amino acids, you may need to supplement them with dietary supplements. Amino acid supplements are generally divided into two types, namely branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements and essential amino acid (EAA) supplements.
BCAA supplements
BCAA supplements contain three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine, in a ratio of 2:1:1 or 4:1:1. BCAA can be used as a source of energy during exercise.
View more about BCAA
EAA Supplements
EAA supplements contain eight essential amino acids for adults, including leucine, valine, lysine, phenylalanine, threonine, isoleucine, methionine, and tryptophan. Moveover, histidine is also an essential amino acid for children.
In order not to affect the immune system and other normal functions, appropriate supplementation of amino acids through supplements can be used as a supplement to the diet. Alfa Chemistry provides a variety of amino acid ingredients that can be used in dietary supplements to maintain a basic balance of amino acids in the body as well as to help keep the body healthy.
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