Amino acids are building blocks of protein utilized in your body.  They build and repair cells, synthesize hormones and are important in mental health.  There are 20 amino acids that the body uses to complete these tasks, and they are divided into essential and non-essential amino acids.  Because an amino acid is “essential” doesn’t mean it’s any more important than “non-essential”, it just means that the body can’t make the essential amino acid on its own.  There are 8 essential amino acids that must be supplied by our food.

In order for the amino acids to do their jobs, they must all be present in the body at the same time and in the proper quantity to “get the job done”. If one amino acid level in the body is too low, it can greatly reduce protein synthesis, which will affect every process in the body. Therefore, it is important you for you include sources of amino acids in your diet.

Amino acids come from “complete protein sources”, such as animal proteins. However, not all people eat animal protein (meat, eggs, milk) in sufficient quantities to get enough amino acid supplementation in their diet. Furthermore, these protein sources are often loaded with saturated fat. Incomplete proteins from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and grains can be combined in the right way to get complete protein; however, vitamin B12 may still need to be supplemented.