“Essential amino acids have various benefits according to their type. Some of its benefits are for growth, repair of muscle tissue, regulate blood sugar levels, and regulate immune function. The body requires 20 different amino acids to maintain health and function. Of the 20 amino acids, 9 are called essential amino acids. So called because the nine can only be obtained from food sources.
Each of the essential amino acids plays a different role in the body, and the symptoms of an essential amino acid deficiency vary. Want to know the impact of a lack of essential amino acids on the body, see the explanation here!
Types and Benefits of Essential Amino Acids for the Body
There are nine essential amino acids that have various benefits for the body, namely:
1. Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine plays an integral role in the structure and function of proteins and enzymes and the production of other amino acids.
2. Valine
Valine is one of three branched-chain amino acids, meaning that it has a chain that branches to one side of its molecular structure. Valine helps stimulate muscle growth and regeneration and is involved in energy production.
3. Threonine
Threonine is a major part of structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin, which are important components of skin and connective tissue. This essential amino acid plays a role in fat metabolism and immune function.
4. Tryptophan
Although often associated with causing drowsiness, tryptophan has many other functions. This amino acid is necessary for maintaining proper nitrogen balance and and regulating appetite, sleep, and mood. Pregnant women really need the intake of this amino acid. Read information about its benefits in the article Benefits of Essential Amino Acids for Pregnant Women.
5. Methionine
Methionine plays an important role in metabolism and detoxification. It is also required for tissue growth and the absorption of zinc and selenium, minerals that are important for health.
6. Leucine
Like valine, leucine is a branched-chain essential amino acid that is essential for protein synthesis and muscle repair. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, stimulates wound healing, and produces growth hormone.
7. Isoleucine
This amino acid is involved in muscle metabolism and is highly concentrated in muscle tissue. Isoleucine is also important for immune function, hemoglobin production, and energy regulation.
8. Lysine
Lysine plays a major role in protein synthesis, hormone and enzyme production and calcium absorption. In addition, lysine is also important for energy production, immune function, and the production of collagen and elastin.
9. Histidine
Histidine is used to produce histamine, a neurotransmitter important for immune response, digestion, sexual function, and sleep-wake cycles. It is essential for maintaining the myelin sheath, the protective barrier that surrounds nerve cells.
Difference between Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids are compounds that work to make proteins. There are two types of amino acids that have differences and their respective functions.
1. Essential amino acids
Essential amino acids are types of amino acids that cannot be produced by the human body and must be obtained through consumption of food or supplements. There are nine types of essential amino acids needed by the human body, namely:
- leucine.
- Isoleucine.
- Valin.
- Lysine.
- methionine.
- Phenylalanine.
- threonine.
- tryptophan.
- histidine.
Essential amino acids can be found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, soybeans, whole grains, nuts and some vegetables. This type of amino acid plays an important role in protein synthesis, growth, tissue repair, the formation of enzymes and hormones, as well as the normal function of organs.