Did you know that there are 27 amino acids needed for our body to function? Out of those, 9 are essential amino acids. The essential amino acids are the ones you have to consume from other food sources. There are twenty nonessential amino acids. These are the ones that your body can produce by itself. And finally, there are seven conditional amino acids. Usually, some form of illness, disease, or health issue would trigger the need to supplement them.
Despite the different types of amino acids, all are necessary. And why’s that? We will cover that below. Furthermore, you will learn about how you can get more amino acids daily to meet your intake requirements:
The Benefits Of Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of your body. They are responsible for the entire composition of your body, especially the muscles and skeleton. As you know, protein turns into amino acids, which power muscles and promotes muscle growth. Similarly, some amino acids, like lysine, are responsible for better calcium absorption and skeleton build-up.
- Not only for your body but your features as well. You must consume more amino acids if you have brittle nails, thinning hair, etc.
- Amino acids keep various functions, like the digestive system, intact and healthy.
- Similarly, it is also useful in boosting your immune system and fighting off several diseases.
- Even at hormonal levels, amino acids are necessary to regulate everything from stress hormones to metabolism.
- On a neutral level, amino acids are responsible for generating neurotransmitters.
So, whether it is chemical, cellular, physical, or muscular level, amino acids are essential for everything.
But apart from these benefits, amino acids make you a healthier person overall. It could help you lose weight, build muscle mass, and look more attractive. Therefore, it is integral to add more amino acids to your diet. Even if it means using supplements.
Food Sources For Amino Acids
There are many rich food sources out there for amino acids. In simple words, try to aim for food items rich in protein. For instance:
- Dairy products
- Poultry, red meat, fish, and seafood in general
- Eggs are a great source of protein as well.
Of course, if you’re vegan, you don’t have to consume all that. You could use:
- Chickpeas and beans like borlotti beans.
- Soybeans
- Pulses
There is a misconception that the vegan diet or vegetarian sources won’t offer all the essential amino acids. That’s not true. You will just have to use different sources of vegetarian or vegan protein to make up for it.
You Could Also Supplement
If you work out or exercise daily, you will have a higher requirement for amino acids. Your body’s weight also impacts it. So, you could use supplements like Whey Protein, Plant Protein, or Vegan Proteins. You could also try Supps R Us – Amino Energy Optimum Nutrition which is designed to fulfil your specific amino acid requirements.
The bottom line is that you acknowledge the need for the amino acids and the roles they play.