Amino acids make up one of the most important types of organic molecules in the human body.. Without them, for example, it would not even be possible for the genes of any organism to be used to make the proteins needed to keep any member of our species alive.
In this article you will find a table of the amino acids used to develop proteins, and we will explain their properties and characteristics.
What is an amino acid?
An amino acid is a type of molecule that constitutes the basic unit with which, in many cases, proteins are built. They are, so to speak, the bricks that can be combined to produce one of the most important macromolecules for the human body.
When the genes contained in our DNA are expressed, they ensure that their genetic information is captured in the manufacture of one or another type of protein by gathering amino acids, binding them together and folding the whole into a characteristic shape.
So, amino acids are an essential element in the diet, although they are also available within our body. Specifically, essential amino acids are those that the human body cannot synthesize, and must therefore be acquired through diet, while non-essential amino acids are naturally produced by the body.
However, it must be borne in mind that not all types of amino acids are used to generate protein, only about twenty of them, which are called protein amino acids or canonical. The rest can also be of great importance to the body, depending on the characteristics. For example, they can act as neurotransmitters of neurons.
Table of amino acids
Here you can see a table of amino acids, both essential and non-essentialwith descriptions of their characteristics and properties. Virtually all are available on the market in the form of supplements.
Essential Amino Acids
These are the amino acids that we must obtain from what we eat.
1. Leucine
Leucine is a type of amino acid that stimulates insulin secretion and helps body tissues regenerate after injury. It is available in milk, peanuts, rice, beef, fish, almonds, and many other foods.
2. Tryptophan
Tryptophan is one of the best-known amino acids, and is used to synthesize both melatonin and serotonin, two important neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Thus, their presence contributes to make us experience states of relaxation and sleep. It is found in foods such as chickpeas, dates, oats, eggs, milk, and other foods typical of a balanced diet.
3. Histidine
Histidine is an amino acid that is involved in digestion processes that take place mostly in the stomach.
4. Valina
Valine regulates the use and secretion of other amino acids, and is also a source of energy for the body’s muscles. It is present in many sweet fruits, such as bananas or red fruits.
5. Lysine
This is another essential amino acid that intervenes in the maintenance of connective tissues of the skin in general. Above all, it contributes to the formation of collagen networks that pass through the skin.
As for the sources from which we can extract it, incorporating a good proportion of pulses and nuts into our diet is usually enough to have good levels of lysine.
6. Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine has the function of regulating physiological processes such as the appearance of appetite and the sensation of pain. It is usually present in good amounts in protein-rich foods, such as meats or eggs.
7. Isoleucine
The isoleucine is basic to be able to create proteins that serve for the body to form and develop. We can find this amino acid in cheese, milk, chicken meat, eggs and soy protein.
8. Threonine
Threonine is another amino acid involved in the formation of collagen and the proper functioning of digestive processes. It is present in chicken, red meat, lentils, and certain types of cheese.
9. Methionine
Methionine can burn accumulated fat. It is present in eggs, fish and cereals, among other foods.
10. Arginine
This is another element of the amino acid table that intervenes in the regeneration of damaged organic tissues and in healing. On the other hand, it stimulates the secretion of glucagon and insulin, and is a precursor of one of the most important neurotransmitters: GABA.
On the other hand, it is easy to get from the diet, because it is in virtually all products of animal origin, as well as in seeds.
Non-essential amino acids
This list of types of amino acids shows those that are already synthesized by the human body.
1. Alanine
Alanine allows the generation of antibodies and muscle growth. It is important to face the challenges of everyday life.
2. Glycine
Glycine is one of the most important amino acids, because on the one hand it is a neurotransmitter used for communication between neurons, and also allows the existence of hemoglobin (red blood cells), because it is part of its cellular architecture.
3. Tyrosine
Tyrosine is a precursor of growth hormone and thyroxine, another hormone, in addition to other substances that act as neurotransmitters as important as serotonin or adrenaline.
4. Proline
Proline has a very important role in the development of cartilage, so it is very important in terms of the structure and basic functioning of body movement.
5. Cysteine
Cysteine is an antioxidant, and regulates various functions of cell maintenance. Although it is a non-essential amino acid, certain population groups may have a deficit of it, and in these cases it is advisable to obtain it from foods such as chicken, eggs, cabbage or broccoli.
6. Glutamine
This amino acid is a precursor of glutamate and GABA, and intervenes in processes of regulation of digestion and the amount of sugar in the blood.
7. Asparagine
Asparagine participates in many processes linked to the nervous system, especially in the consolidation of memories by neural networks.
8. Serine
This amino acid allows the myelin sheaths to develop well. These are layers of myelin that cover the axons of neurons and make the nerve impulse go faster. It also strengthens the immune system and contributes to muscle growth.
8. Aspartic acid
Aspartic acid has many functions. Among them is its involvement in the immune system, and its involvement in states of excitement and alertness to react quickly to what happens in the environment.
10. Glutamic acid
This is one of the most versatile types of amino acids, and while it affects many biological processes, the one that stands out most is the immune system-strengthening factor.
Bibliographic references
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- Kyte, J.; Doolittle, R.F. (2018). A simple method for displaying the hydropathic character of a protein. Journal of Molecular Biology 157 (1): 105-132.
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