Essential amino acids and non-essential ones are vitally important for human health. They are commonly described as the building blocks of protein but they are more than this. Despite the classification, they are both "essential" to the human body. However the non-essential varieties can be produced by the body itself, and do not need to be obtained from the diet or supplementation.

 Functions of Amino Acids

Amino acids function as protein builders in our bodies. Protein is found in our muscles, skin, blood, bones and cartilage. This is why it is so important that we are eating a diet rich in essential amino acids.

All the amino acids are present in approximately equal amounts, a food source is called a complete protein. Meat, fish, poultry along with soy and dairy products are all complete proteins. Fruit, vegetables and grains are called incomplete proteins because they contain some of the essential amino acids but not all of them.

The process of making new protein out of amino acids and breaking down protein into amino acids are essential aspects of human life. For example, the body breaks down the amino acids present in the complete proteins we eat so they can be used later, yet when we are working on building muscle strength through exercise, amino acids provide the new protein necessary to build the muscle cells.

If our diet does not provide us with a complete range of essential amino acids these processes are compromised.

If our diet is deficient in any of the essential amino acids an imbalance in our body will probably occur, such as obesity, depression, nausea or a range of other possibilities. Yet poor diets are not the only cause of deficiencies in amino acids. Other factors such as infections, age and stress can interfere with the amino acids function.