Inherent Nutrition

What are amino acids?

Amino acids consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen molecules, and are used by the body to build protein.

There are 20 amino acids, and they are classified as either essential or nonessential amino acids (can be synthesized internally).

• Essential Amino Acids – Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine.

• Nonessential Amino Acids – Alanine, Arginine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Serine, and Tyrosine.

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References:

1. Boyle, Marie A., and Sara Long. Personal Nutrition, Seventh Edition California, Wadsworth College Learning, 2010.
2. “Dietary Proteins.” U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved April 15, 2011  <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus>
3. “Protein: Moving Closer to Center Stage.” Harvard School of Public Health. 2011. April 15, 2011 <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/index.html>
4. Carpi, Anthony Ph.D. “Fats and Proteins.” Visionlearning. 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2011 <http://www.visionlearning.com>

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Disclaimer

Reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document, and the information provided herein is believed to be accurate. However, this information is not intended to constitute an “authoritative statement” under Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations.

General Safety Advisory

The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is important to seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom. It is also important to seek the advice of a physician, registered dietitian, pharmacist, or other qualified health professional about the appropriateness of taking dietary supplements and their potential interactions with medications.