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What to know about essential amino acids

Medically REVIEWED by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Written by Jennifer Berry on January 21, 2019

Types

Essential amino acids and exercise

How to get essential amino acids

Conditional amino acids

Diet

Takeaway

The BODY needs 20 different amino acids to maintain good health and normal functioning. People must obtain nine of these amino acids, called the essential amino acids, through food. Good dietary sources include meat, eggs, tofu, soy, buckwheat, quinoa, and dairy.

Amino acids are compounds that combine to make proteins. When a person eats a food that contains protein, their digestive system breaks the protein down into amino acids. The body then combines the amino acids in various ways to carry out bodily FUNCTIONS.

A healthy body can manufacture the other 11 amino acids, so these do not usually need to enter the body through the diet.

Amino acids build muscles, cause chemical reactions in the body, transport nutrients, PREVENT illness, and carry out other functions. Amino acid deficiency can result in decreased immunity, digestive problems, depression, fertility issues, lower mental alertness, slowed growth in children, and many other health issues.