5 Interesting Facts About Essential Amino Acids
Essential is defined as something that’s absolutely necessary or non-negotiable. So, in the case of essential amino acids, you must have them for your body to function. But what else do you really know about essential amino acids and the role they play in your life? Let’s take a look at five top facts about them. Fact 1: Amino Acids are the Building Blocks of Protein Amino acids play a role in almost every physiological function in your body, either directly or indirectly. Each of the 20 amino acids serves multiple purposes and work with each other to keep us alive. Amino acids are organic compounds connected by peptide bonds, which form a polypeptide—another word for protein. In order words, amino acids combine to make proteins. Muscle is the primary reservoir of amino acids and requires protein to grow. Fact 2: Essential Amino Acids Cannot Be Made by Your Body There are 20 amino acids in the body, nine of which are called essential amino acids because ...