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Essential and non-essential amino acids
‘Essential’ amino acids are one that the body is not capable of producing. This means that it has to get them for other sources, either through supplements or through food. Non-essential amino acids are ones that the body can produce; however, they can still be obtained through other sources.

Essential Amino Acids :
* Leucine
* Isoleucine
* Lysine
* Methionine (and its related compound cystine)
* Phenylalanine
* Threonine
* Tryptophan
* Valine
(*Histidine is essential in infants)

Non-Essential Amino Acids :
* Alanine
* Aspartic acid
* Glutamic acid
* Glycine
* Serine
* Tyrosine

During growth periods, the body needs more amino acids from proteins, including during infancy and pregnancy, while breast feeding, when healing from burns, and when recovering from weight loss.

Amino acids are considered to be the building blocks of protein, which often makes them the building blocks of the body. There are two different types of proteins:

* Functional proteins – which includes hormones, such as insulin and thyroid hormones, digestive enzymes, and antibodies.

* Structural proteins –which can be found in bones, connective tissue, muscles and, to a lesser extent, in cell walls.

Amino acids are used in more than just proteins. Other molecules that use amino acids include amino neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that send electrical nerve impulses in the brain. So you can see that amino acids are important to many of the body’s functions.

Therapeutic uses of amino acids
We often consider vitamins, mineral and essential fatty acids as major nutritional supplements; however, therapeutic benefits are often received from amino acids.

There is sometimes an increased need for certain types of proteins, such as with some diseases; therefore, if these proteins are high in one particular amino acid then the need for that amino acid may well be increased, and perhaps not fulfilled by the diet alone. Other conditions may cause disturbance in the metabolism of a certain amino acid. Certain pharmaceutical drugs have an affect on amino acids metabolism. For example anti-inflammatory drugs that are used for the treatment of arthritis often affect the metabolism of tryptophan.

The list below describes some of the ways that amino acids are used.

* Arginine – has been known to boost sperm count and sperm motility in some men.

* Lysine - is mostly used to treat recurrent cold sores and herpes infections.

* Phenylalanine – is often used to treat pain and depression.

* Tryptophan – is an amino acid has been researched more than the others. The level of tryptophan in the blood has been linked to arthritis. High levels of tryptophan can also be found in jaundice. This amino acid has been used to treat depression, particularly in people who are also experiencing issues with sleep. Oral contraceptives that contain oestrogen have been known to interfere with the normal metabolism of tryptophan, which may be due to their effect on vitamin B6, which is crucial for converting tryptophan to serotonin.

* Histidine - has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis because people suffering from l rheumatoid arthritis often show signs of having low histidine.

* Tyrosine - like tryptophan and phenylalanine has been used to help treat depression. This amino acid is critical for the synthesis of substances called catecholamines , these include dopamine and noradrenalin, and people who are depressed often have low levels of these compounds.

As research continues, more and more uses for amino acids are found.

Proteins, which contain amino acids, are a vital need in our diets. Amino acids, essential and non-essential, are critical for the body's structural components, including the bones, muscle and connective tissue, as well as, for functional aspects including hormones and other chemicals. The range of therapeutics uses of amino acids is still somewhat limited but it is likely that the uses will continue to grow as we learn more about the roles that amino acids play in maintain our health.