Proteins & amino acids:basic understanding
1. What are amino acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Think of them as tiny construction workers that come together to build something significant – in this case, proteins.
2. How many types of amino acids, and what’s their utility?
There are 20 different types of amino acids. They can be compared to different letters of the alphabet, and just like how letters form words, amino acids combine to create proteins. These 20 amino acids have unique roles, like repairing tissues, boosting the immune system, and carrying oxygen in the blood.
Amino Acid | Function | Found in Body? | Sources |
Histidine | Tissue growth and repair | No | Meat, dairy, poultry |
Isoleucine | Muscle metabolism, immune function | No | Meat, fish, eggs, dairy |
Leucine | Muscle recovery after exercise | No | Meat, fish, beans, nuts |
Lysine | Growth, immune function, collagen formation | No | Meat, beans, nuts |
Methionine | Metabolism, detoxification | No | Meat, fish, dairy |
Phenylalanine | Precursor to neurotransmitters | No | Meat, fish, dairy, nuts |
Threonine | Immune function, collagen production | No | Meat, dairy, beans |
Tryptophan | Precursor to serotonin, mood and sleep | No | Meat, dairy, nuts |
Valine | Muscle metabolism, tissue repair | No | Meat, dairy, grains |
Alanine | Energy production | Yes | Meat, fish, dairy |
Arginine | Immune function, hormone release | Yes | Meat, dairy, nuts |
Asparagine | Synthesis of other amino acids | Yes | Asparagus, potatoes, legumes |
Aspartic Acid | Energy production, neurotransmitter synthesis | Yes | Meat, fish, dairy |
Cysteine | Formation of skin, hair, and nails | Yes | Meat, poultry, dairy |
Glutamic Acid | Neurotransmitter, essential for brain function | Yes | Meat, fish, dairy |
Glutamine | Immune function, gut health | Yes | Meat, fish, dairy, vegetables |
Glycine | Building block of proteins and collagen | Yes | Meat, fish, dairy, legumes |
Proline | Structure of collagen | Yes | Meat, dairy, some vegetables |
Serine | Synthesis of proteins and nucleotides | Yes | Meat, dairy, grains |
Tyrosine | Precursor to neurotransmitters, hormones | Yes | Meat, dairy, nuts |
3. Why and how do they form proteins?
Amino acids link together in a specific order, forming chains – similar to how LEGO pieces connect to create a structure. This chain of amino acids folds and twists into a unique shape, resulting in a protein with a specific function.
4. What are proteins chemically?
Chemically, proteins are large molecules made up of amino acids connected by peptide bonds. Picture a long paper chain made by linking many colorful paper loops together – each loop representing an amino acid.
5. How many amino acids are found in the body, and how many are not?
Our body can produce 11 amino acids on its own, but there are 9 essential amino acids that we must get from our diet because our body can’t make them.
6. What happens if we don’t take essential amino acids?
Skipping essential amino acids is like trying to build a house without all the necessary materials. Our body won’t be able to create certain proteins, leading to issues like poor growth, weakened immune system, and muscle loss.
Eg. where you have 20 different LEGO pieces, and you need all of them to construct a spaceship. If you’re missing even one piece, your spaceship won’t be complete and might not fly as well. In the same way, our body needs all 20 amino acids to ‘build’ proteins for a healthy and functioning body. It’s like assembling a team of superheroes, where each hero (amino acid) has a unique power that contributes to the success of the entire team (protein).
-team simplebodyology.com
