What are Essential Amino Acids?

Food not only serves to satisfy the human hunger pangs, but also provides the body with essential amino acids that are vital for life. Therefore, the choice of food is crucial to ensure that all the required amino acids are actually supplied.

Essential amino acids and their properties

Isoleucine can provide various messengers to the central nervous system. In addition, isoleucine is crucial for muscle development. Foods that have an increased concentration of isoleucine are cashews, peanuts, lentils, peas, beef, chicken, shrimp, as well as cheese.

Valine has the task of regulating blood sugar in the body and transporting various messenger substances to the brain. Valine also supports and strengthens the immune system. Foods that contain more valine are spelt flour, oatmeal, tuna, yeast, eggs, cheese, chicken.

Methionine is involved in the direct building of proteins in the body, as well as preventing urinary tract infections. Methionine is found in Brazil nuts, fish, liver as well as eggs. Leucine is also responsible for muscle building. Foods with increased concentration of leucine are: Peanuts, almonds, soybeans, peas, cheese, tuna, chicken breast as well as beef liver.

Change of amino acids

With the amino acid tryptophan, the body can produce the happiness hormone serotonin as well as the sleep hormone melatonin. In addition, tryptophan is important for the function of the liver. It is found, for example, in carrots, tomatoes, bananas and spinach. The amino acid

Lysine is responsible for the maintenance of connective and muscle tissue. Lysine is synthesized into carnitine, which is used for weight loss and muscle building. Foods such as beans, oranges, tangerines and celery contain lysine.

Phenylaline can support the formation of blood cells (both white and red) as well as help kidney function. Soy, pork, salmon, eggs, pumpkin seeds as well as cow’s milk contain a greater amount of phenylaline.

Threonine can be converted by the body to glycine, which can calm the nerves. In addition, threonine supports the formation of bones as well as the formation of antibodies to strengthen the immune system. Threonine is found in the following foods, for example: Papaya, carrots, leaf spinach.

Semi-essential: arginine and tyrosine.

Tyrosine as well as arginine, can not yet be produced by the body itself in infancy, so they are called semi-essential. Arginine is known for its supportive function in muscle development. In addition, arginine is said to be able to promote the growth of the body. Tyrosine is used to make important hormones in the thyroid gland.