Sources of Amino Acid

Amino acids are essential for a variety of biological and chemical functions in our bodies, including tissue building and repair, enzyme synthesis and activity, food digestion, molecule transportation, and so on. Only a few amino acids can be synthesised by our bodies, and the remainder, known as essential amino acids, must be obtained from protein-rich meals in our daily diet.

Plant-based rich foods in amino acids include broccoli, beans, beetroot, pumpkin, cabbage, almonds, dry fruits, chia seeds, oats, peas, carrots, cucumber, green leafy vegetables, onions, soybeans, whole grain, peanuts, legumes, lentils, and so on. Apples, bananas, berries, figs, grapes, melons, oranges, papaya, pineapple, and pomegranates are rich in amino acids. Dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, beef, and pork are examples of other animal products.

Essential Amino acids

Our bodies can easily synthesise a few of the 20 amino acids on their own, which are known as non-essential amino acids. Alanine, asparagine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, glutamine, proline, glycine, serine, and tyrosine are one of them.

Functions Of Essential Amino Acids

• Phenylalanine aids in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and the enhancement of memory ability.
• Valine is a key component in increasing muscle development.
• Threonine assists in the promotion of immune system functioning.
• Tryptophan is essential for the production of vitamin B3 and serotonin hormones. This serotonin hormone is essential for appetite stability, sleep regulation, and mood-boosting.
• Isoleucine is essential for the synthesis of haemoglobin, activating the pancreas to produce insulin, and transporting oxygen from the lungs to the various parts of the body.
• Methionine is used in the treatment of kidney stones, the maintenance of healthy skin, and the control of pathogenic bacteria.

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Nine more amino acids are essential as our bodies cannot synthesise them. Isoleucine, histidine, lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine, and valine are examples of essential amino acids.

Functions Of Non-Essential Amino Acids

• Alanine works by detoxifying poisons from our bodies and producing glucose and other amino acids.
• Cysteine functions as an antioxidant and provides our bodies with resistance; it is also required for the production of collagen.
• It has an impact on the texture and elasticity of the skin.
• Glutamine promotes healthy brain function and is required for the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
• Glycine is essential for maintaining healthy cell growth and function, as well as for wound healing.
• It acts as a neurotransmitter. Glutamic acid functions as a neurotransmitter and is primarily involved in the formation and functioning of the human brain.
• Arginine promotes protein and hormone synthesis, kidney cleansing, wound healing, and immune system function.

It is an organic compound that contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Some of the other elements can also be found in the side chains of certain amino acids. The amine and carboxylic acid groups are both bonded to the first (alpha-) carbon atom in amino acids.

“Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to produce proteins; hence, they are referred to as protein components”

 These biomolecules are involved in various biological and chemical functions in the human body and are necessary ingredients for human growth and development. There are around 300 amino acids that occurred in nature.”

Chemical Formula of Amino Acid

R-CH(NH₂)-COOH is the chemical formula of amino acids.