20 Kinds of Amino Acids that Support the Body

Valine
Leucine
Isoleucine

All of these 3 amino acids are called branched chain amino acid (BCAAs). They perform the important functions of increasing proteins and serving as an energy source during exercise.

Alanine

It is an important amino acid as an energy source for the liver.

Arginine

It is an amino acid needed to maintain normal functions of blood vessels and other organs.

Glutamine

It is an amino acid needed to maintain normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract and muscles.

Lysine

It is a representative essential amino acid and tends to be insufficient when we are on a bread- or rice-centered diet.

Aspartic acid

It is contained in asparagus in large amounts. It is a fast-acting energy source.

Glutamate

It is contained in wheat and soybean in large amounts. It is a fast-acting energy source.

Proline

It is the main component of "collagen" which constitutes the skin and other tissues. It serves as a fast-acting energy source.

Cysteine

Cysteine is easy to be deficient in the infants.

Threonine

It is an essential amino acid which is used to form active sites of enzymes.

Methionine

It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various substances needed in the body.

Histidine

It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce histamine and others.

Phenylalanine

It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various useful amines.

Tyrosine

It is used to produce various useful amines and is sometimes called aromatic amino acid together with phenylalanine and tryptophan.

Tryptophan

It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various useful amines.

Asparagine

It is an amino acid which is located close to the TCA cycle (place of energy generation) together with aspartic acid.

Glycine

It is used to produce glutathione and porphyrin, a component of hemoglobin.

Serine

It is used to produce phospholipids and glyceric acid.