Example of Essential Amino Acids

A Amino acid, according to Organic chemistry, is a chemical compound formed by Carbon and Hydrogen and is accompanied in its structure by an Amino group and a Carboxyl group. There are in total 20 different amino acids, that as molecules are capable of grouping together in many combinations, through Peptide Links, until forming the polymers called Protein.

Of these 20 amino acids, there are some that the human body is capable of producing during metabolism, and thus the demand is easily covered to supply the protein systems that are needed. These are the Non-Essential Amino Acids.

On the other hand, there are the Amino Acids that the human being must consume from external sources, such as meats, seeds or some fruits. These are the so-called Essential amino acids, those that the human body cannot produce during its metabolism.

All living tissues have Proteins. A protein, in its polymer nature, can contain from several hundred to thousands of amino acids and the sequence of these amino acids determines the structure and function of the different proteins. Some

Proteins have structural properties, like the collagen of the connective tissue, or the keratin that we find in the hair and nails. Other Proteins have functions like enzymes or hormones.

Importance of Essential Amino Acids

Amino Acids, Essential and Non-Essential, are important because are the constituent of proteins, which are in turn the essential component of cells, and are necessary for the growth, repair and continuous renewal of body tissues.

The proteins also provide energy, equivalent to 4 Kcal / gram but, for physiological and economic reasons of the body it is not recommended that they be used for this purpose. However, if there is not enough lipid or carbohydrate in the diet, the protein will begin to be used to provide energy, which is not healthy at all because the muscle tissues are degrading, manifesting as scrawny limbs in the Body.

Characteristics of Essential Amino Acids

The Indispensable or Essential Amino Acids cannot be created by the human body, so they have to be taken from food, through food. These amino acids are nine: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine. Arginine, another amino acid, may be essential for very young children as their requirements are greater than their ability to produce this amino acid.

There are also two Non-Essential amino acids formed from other essential ones: Cysteine, starting from Methionine. Tyrosine, starting from Phenylalanine. If the diet does not provide enough Phenylalanine or if the body cannot transform the phenylalanine in Tyrosine for reasons such as the disease of Phenylketonuria, then Tyrosine acquires the character of essential.

During protein synthesis, all required amino acids must be present in the cells, because if there is a shortage of one, the synthesis will have flaws. If the protein consumed by humans in the diet contains all the Essential amino acids in a significant quantity and proportion, it will be called Protein of High Biological Value, that is, it is most useful for protein synthesis in the body.

Proteins Animal origin are cataloged as High Biological Value compared to those of vegetable origin, because their amino acid composition is more similar to the proteins of the human body. That similarity is what determines them like this.

The main sources of Proteins are Dairy, Nuts, Legumes, Meats, Fish, Eggs, Cereals.

Vegetarians who consume a variety of plant proteins are able to get a protein of as high quality as one of animal origin. In the same way, if the protein consumed is received in large quantity, the quality or the food where it is contained does not matter so much.

Examples of Essential Amino Acids

Arginine

Isoleucine

Leucine

Lysine

Methionine

Phenylalanine

Threonine

Tryptophan

Valine

Histidine

Examples of NON-Essential Amino Acids

To the girl

Asparagine

Aspartate

Cysteine

Glutamate

Glutamine

Wisteria

Proline

Serine

Tyrosine