Amino Acids are known as the building blocks of protein. They make up the majority of our body weight and constitute a large proportion of our ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, nails, skin and hair. Amino acids are also essential for the production of neurotransmitters which allow the brain to send messages to other parts of the body, and blood sugar balance. Enzymes and hormones which help to regulate bodily processes are also made up of amino acids. Higher levels of protein may be required by those who are recovering from illness, or those who are expending large amounts of energy. Amino acids consist of “essential” - those which cannot be produced by the body and need to be obtained from our food, and “non-essential” - amino acids that our bodies are able to produce on their own. The essential Amino Acids that we must obtain from our food or supplements are: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Singular amino acids can be taken at high doses in supplement form for therapeutic health benefits.