Amino acids

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Amino acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. When proteins are digested, amino acids are left. The human body requires a number of amino acids to grow and breakdown food.

Amino acids are classified into two groups:

• Essential amino acids must be supplied by food. These include cysteine, lysine, and tryptophan . Sources of essential amino acids include milk, cheese, eggs, certain meats, vegetables and grains.
• Nonessential amino acids are made by the body from the essential amino acids. They include aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glycine.

Review Date: 03/03/2005
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Aparna Oltikar, M.D., Department of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (2/4/2001).