Helpful List of Essential Amino Acids

The human body uses a number of essential amino acids to manufacture protein. While the body can manufacture a number of the necessary amino acids on its own, there are some that the body does not have the ability to make. The term "essential" is used for the ones the body cannot manufacture. People must obtain these substances through their diets or supplements.

Essential Amino Acids

Because the human body cannot manufacture essential amino acids, people must get them from their daily diet and/or supplements. HealthKnot.com specifies the needs of children and adults as follows.

Nine Essential Amino Acids for Everyone

There are eight essential amino acids that everyone needs:

• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

One More Needed by Children

In addition to the list above, infants and children also need the following essential amino acids:

• Histidine

World Health Organization Guidelines

The World Health Organization, WHO, has developed a guideline for the amount of essential aminos that you should get on a daily basis based on body weight. The table that follows gives these guidelines for kilograms and pounds.

Understanding Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids are important to the body because they are the building blocks of protein, necessary for the growth and repair of cells. They work together in balance. If there isn't enough of just one, all of the rest will be less effective.

Amino acids are important to the proper function of these systems:

• Cell growth and repair
• Metabolism
• Central nervous system

Each amino acid has a slightly different role in the body.

• Isoleucine - A branch chained amino acid that contributes to energy and muscle repair
• Leucine - Assisting in growth, energy production, and collagen formation
• Lysine - Helps support collagen growth and immune system development
• Methionine - Aids in the health of hair, skin, and nails and helps remove fat from the body
• Phenylalanine - Helps to produce neurotransmitters and hormones
• Threonine- Aids in immunity, nervous system development, and fat breakdown
• Tryptophan - Assists in the production of serotonin
• Valine - Helps maintain muscle integrity and assists in cognitive function
• Histidine - Aids in growth and development of humans

See Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Human Nutrition, a technical report publication of the World Health Organization, to learn more.

Making the Best Food Choices

If you're interested in making sure you get enough amino acids in your diet, it's important to know what foods are high in protein. Your body needs protein-rich foods to stay healthy, and those foods need to contain all eight essential aminos for your body to assimilate them effectively. The protein in foods that are unbalanced in amino acids tend to be turned into fat and carbohydrates. It's simple: in order for your body to convert amino acids into protein, you need to consume high-quality protein from high-quality sources.

Amino Acids from Animal Sources

Nearly everything you eat contains amino acids. Foods that come from animal sources are the best suppliers of all of the aminos such as:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Eggs
• Milk
• Fish
• Pork
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Game

Amino Acids From Plant Sources

Plant sources tend to lack at least one of the amino acids, so vegetarians often need to combine two incomplete proteins to get a complete protein that includes all of them. Plant combinations are as follows:

• Legumes with seeds or nuts
• Legumes with whole grains
• Seeds or nuts with whole grains

A few plants offer the complete spectrum of amino acids:

• Buckwheat
• Quinoa
• Hemp seed
• Amaranth

Should You Take a Supplement?

Usually it is not difficult to get all of the essential amino acids necessary from your diet alone. It is always important to eat a well-balanced, varied diet with lots of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. In most instances, you won't need supplements as the best way to get these nutrients is through your diet. If, however, there is a reason that you are not able to do so, then supplements may be the way for you to go. It is always important to discuss your plans to supplement your diet with your health care provider.