Alanine is a naturally forming chemical found in a variety of foods especially meats. This non essential amino acid is used in the production of protein. It assists the body in metabolizing various components such as glucose and can also play a part in lowering cholesterol. It is suggested that an Alanine supplement be used with people who have a diet low in protein and who may be exposed to adverse effects of a protein deficiency. Alanine is also linked to an increase in the efficacy of the immune system and a reduction of toxins in the system.

Arginine is a non-essential amino acid that is needed by the body for the proper functioning of the liver, skin, joints, and muscles. It helps improve the immune system by increasing the T-lyphocytes output from the thymus gland. Arginine also neutralizes the effects of ammonia and toxic substances by detoxifying the liver. It is beneficial to most athletes particularly body builders because arginine helps in the production of creatine in the body and stimulates the excretion of growth hormones that aids in the development of muscle mass. It also helps improve the metabolism and in fat loss. Arginine also promotes the healing and repair of damaged tissues.

Aspartic Acid is a non-essential amino acid which is bountiful in plant proteins. It can also be produced in the human body from oxaloacetic acid. Some biochemicals that are synthesized from aspartic acid include asparagine, arginine, lysine, methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and a number of nucleotides. Apartic acid is used for stamina, the brain and overall health as it helps the liver by removing excess harmful ammonia and other toxins from the bloodstream. If ammonia enters your circulatory system it can be harm your central nervous system and cause neural and brain disorders. Aspartic acid helps to keep the mind sharp by increasing concentrations of NADH in the brain.

Citric Acid is found in several citrus fruits, including pineapples, limes, gooseberries, plums, peaches, lemons, grapefruit, and oranges. It assists in preventing urinary tract infections. It is also applied as a natural preservative in lieu of chemicals. It helps energy production within the cells. It is a good natural astringent and regulates pH in digestive tract. Citric acid boosts efficient digestive function and helps remove toxins from body. It provides prevention against diarrhea, dysentery, and other bowel diseases. Citric acid assists in breakdown of fatty foods and increasing appetite. It helps eliminate fatigue. Citric acid in a little modified form, potassium citrate, can halt human heartbeat for greater facility during surgery and also is used to leach damaging metals from soil in landfills.

Cystine is an amino acid containing sulfur, which assists in forming healthy skin, bones, hair, and connective tissue. It also is needed to make glutathione, a natural antioxidant that fights free-radical damage. Every molecule of cystine is formed from two molecules of cysteine, which is another sulfur-containing amino acid very similar to cystine. It is needed for proper vitamin B6 use and is also beneficial in healing burns and wounds, breaking down deposits of mucus in diseases like bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. Cystine enhances the glutathione level in lungs, kidneys, liver, and bone marrow, which can have an anti-aging impact on the body by decreasing age spots. It is a detoxification agent protecting the body against damage of cigarette smoking and alcohol, and can help prevent hangovers, and liver and brain damage.

Glutamic Acid is an excitatory neurotransmitter, which enhances firing of neurons in central nervous system. Glutamic acid is a main excitatory neurotransmitter in brain and spinal caord. It is transformed either into glutamine or gamma-aminobutyric acid – the two other amino acids which assist in transmitting messages to brain. Glutamic acid plays a vital role in metabolism of fats and sugars, and assists in transporting potassium into spinal fluid and across the blood-brain barrier. Though it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier as readily as is done by glutamine, it is present in blood at high levels and may reach the brain in small amounts. The brain can utilize glutamic acid as a fuel. It assists in correcting personality disorders and is helpful in treating childhood behavioral disorders. It is also used in treating mental retardation, epilepsy, ulcers, muscular dystrophy, and hypoglycemic coma.

Glycine is known to have the ability to stimulate specific brain receptors as well as beneficial for building proteins in the body. It is used as a supplement for many ailments such as strokes or memory loss.

Histidine is an amino acid that is essential especially in infants. The adult body produces this amino acid naturally and thus it becomes a non-essential acid. However in the case of infants this is not true. This vitamin is extremely important and children may not have sufficient Histidine. The Histidine is an originator of the Histamine which is a compound that is release by the human immune system when an allergic reaction takes place. This is also essential for the repair and growth of new tissues and helps to maintain myelin sheaths (the protectors of the nerve cells). Histidine is also needed for the production of the red and white blood cells.

Isoleucine- An important essential amino acid is isoleucine which is also part of the three “branched chain amino acids” along with leucine and valine. Since it is an essential amino acid it cannot be synthesized in the body and thus isoleucine has to be ingested in the diet (almonds, chicken, eggs, cashews, fish, lentils, liver, meat etc.). Isoleucine is required for muscle recovery and also for the formation of haemoglobin. Isoleucine also assists in regulating blood sugar levels and energy levels. It is also involved in blood-clot formation. Isoleucine deficiency is present only in those people who are lacking in protein intake. Deficiency may lead to dizziness, fatigue, depression etc. Excessive amounts of isoleucine doesn’t seem to be a problem though it isn’t recommended for those with kidney or liver disease.

L-Phenylalanine gained notoriety with the aspartame controversy where extensive internet bombardment against the artificial sweetener prompted a thorough cleaning by The Coca Cola Company and other interest groups. Now it seems that aspartame has more benefits to health than aspirin. L-Phenylalanine is an essential alpha amino acid that is deemed analgesic and antidepressant. It is hydrophobic and nonpolar, one of only twenty common amino acids that are used to produce protein as coded by the DNA. L-Phenylalanine can also convert into L-Tyrosine, which can then become L-DOPA, going forth to become norepinephrine, dopamine or epinephrine. Phenylalanine is very often found in foods, protein rich foods like meat, milk and milk products, poultry and fish, but also as already mentioned in the artificial sweetener aspartame.

Leucine is an essential amino acid that works together with isoleucine and valine, forming the three branched chain amino acids (BCAA). Leucine is easily converted by to body to glucose, helping to regulate and maintain the blood sugar level. Leucine promotes muscle recovery, muscle repair and provides the body with energy. It also helps in burning fat that are least responsive to exercise and dieting. Leucine helps in toning the body and the muscles. Leucine prevents muscle loss by breaking down and converting to glucose, this prevents the body from breaking down muscle tissues to create energy, particularly during intense workouts and heavy weight lifting.

Lysine is chemically abbreviated as Lys or K. It is an essential amino acid with chemical formula HO2CCH (NH2) (CH2)4NH2 and Mol. mass 146.19 g mol-1 . It is not naturally synthesized in body and needs to be taken from dietary sources. Lysine plays a vital role in protein synthesis in the body and also helps in Calcium absorption. As it helps in protein synthesis it can improve recovery of muscles after workouts and surgeries. Research also shows that Lysine aids in production of some hormones, enzymes and antibodies. It is also believed to be beneficial for people with herpes simplex infections.

Malic Acid is not only derived from food sources but the human body also synthesizes it through the cycle of citric acid. Carl Wilhelm Scheele first isolated it from apple juice in the year 1785. The name acide malique was proposed by Antoine Lavoisier in 1787. This organic compound is useful in production of energy during anaerobic as well as aerobic conditions. Since it is related to the depletion of energy during heavy exercises, healthy individuals can benefit from malic acid for enhancing production of energy. When malic acid is added to food products it is denoted by E number E296. It is used for providing the extreme tartness to candies like Sour Punch or Mega Warheads. Intake of malic acid in moderate amount doesn’t cause any side effects.

Methionine is an amino acid that is found in meat, fish, beans, eggs, lentils, onions and seeds. It contains sulphur that is essential for the production of glutathione. It helps the body get rid of toxins, build strong and healthy tissues, and promote a healthy cardiovascular system. It helps breakdown fats and promotes weight loss. It also prevents the build up of fats in the arteries that reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis. Methionine promotes proper digestion and gets rid of toxins and heavy metals in the body. It helps cleanse the body from toxins. It also helps relieve pains caused by arthritis. It helps in alleviating the mood, and treat depression.

Milk is rich in calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and protein which play an important role in maintaining healthy bones and joints. Milk prevents osteoporosis and ensures the joints are well lubricated. Milk also helps keep the teeth strong. It contains casein that forms a thin film on the teeth enamel that protects it from acids in the mouth. It also helps maintain blood cholesterol level that reduces the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. It also helps prevent Type II diabetes. Milk contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) that protects the colon from cancer. Milk also prevents obesity as opposed to common idea that drinking milk causes weight gain.

Proline is an amino acid. The body has the capability to produce Proline with glutamic acid. Proline works well with vitamin C, which make it more potent. It helps particularly in maintaining and repairing damaged tissues, skin and muscle. It heals damaged cartilage, and helps maintaining flexible joints. It benefits parts of the body where collagen is found, such as blood vessels, tendons, skin, bones, and including the eye. It prevents and reduces the sagging, wrinkling and aging of skin. It ensures that the body has the proper supply of collagen, guarding it against future joint and spine problems. It also enhances the immune system.

Serine is a non-essential amino acid derived from amino acid glycine and is beneficial to both mental and physical health.It is vital for proper functioning of brain and central nervous system. Serine helps form phospholipids that are needed to make every cell in the body. It also is helpful in muscle formation and maintaining a strong immune system. Proteins used to form the brain, and the protective myelin sheaths covering nerves, contain serine. It is also required for producing amino acid tryptophan, which is used to make serotonin, a chemical that determines mood. Shortage of serotonin and tryptophan has been associated with depression, confusion, insomnia, and anxiety. Decreased serine levels can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Soy Lecithin- Although lecithin is a word that is derived from the Greek "lekithos" that translates to "yolk of an egg", the biggest source of lecithin is in fact soybean. Lecithin is nothing but a combination of phospholipids that are naturally present in soybeans and is thus an excellent source of choline. In the absence of choline, the cell membranes are bound to become hard preventing any kind of nutrient exchange. Soy lecithin powder can be easily incorporated into your culinary and body care recipes since it acts as an emulsifier, thickener, mild preservative, emollient, moisturizer, and stabilizer. For the same reason, it is used in food as well as cosmetic products alike. Lecithin also plays an important role of moving cholesterol through our bodies and its ability to bind chemically with cholesterol actually helps in reducing cholesterol levels. It also helps in treating neurological disorders, psoriasis, gallstones, diabetes, and anemia.

Threonine-The essential amino acid threonine is found throughout the body's circulatory, skeletal and central nervous systems and is essential for maintaining balance throughout the body while assisting in the production of elastin and collagen that are needed for healthy skin. Threonine is also beneficial for optimal liver functioning and promotes a healthy immune system by assisting with the production of antibodies. Threonine has also been used in various formulations to strengthen mental clarity and sharpen focus. Threonine can be found in abundance in various dairy foods, beans, nuts, wheat germ, some vegetables, eggs, and most meats, or in supplement form.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is formed from proteins during digestion by working of proteolytic enzymes. It can help enhance relaxation and improve sleep, soothe nerves and anxiety, relieve minor premenstrual symptoms, and decrease carbohydrate cravings. It is vital for production of serotonin, which is among the important chemicals involved in blood regulation. During depression, the amount of serotonin released from the brain’s nerve cells may decline. Tryptophan, by enhancing serotonin levels in the blood, can increase the antidepressant effects of serotonin. It is essential for production of niachin (B3) and needs, biotin, B6, zinc, and vitamin C to form the enzyme required for conversion. It can relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. It assists in controlling hyperactivity in children, relieving stress, and increasing release of growth hormones essential for production of vitamin B6. It can also help regulate appetite and assist in weight loss.

Tyrosine is a non essential amino acid derived from several sources, including soy, poultry, milk and cheese products, but can also be synthesized in the body from phenylalanine. There are twenty amino acids that are used in human cells to synthesize proteins, one of which is tyrosine. It is of vital importance to the carbon dioxide conversion into organic compounds conducted by plants, the photosynthesis. Tyrosine is also recognized as a precursor to hormones, but also alkaloids and pigments. It is furthermore viewed as a precursor to neurotransmitters; it increases the levels of plasma neurotransmitters, most prominently norepinephrine and dopamine. While under normal circumstances the effects of tyrosine are inconclusive, it has been observed as useful in stress situations and to reduce the effects of a cold, fatigue, sleep deprivation and any kind of prolonged labor.

Valine- One of the several essential amino acids present in the human body is Valine. This is also a nonpolar, branched chain amino acid which is found in high concentrations in the muscles. Since it is an essential amino acid, valine is not synthesised in the body and thus must be ingested as part of the diet. Valine is available through foods like fish, poultry, peanuts, sesame seeds, lentils and cottage cheese. Valine is essential for muscle, growth and repair of tissue and for maintaining the body’s nitrogen balance. Since it has a branched chain, valine can be used as an energy source in the muscles and thus conserves glucose. Hence valine is often used by bodybuilders to support muscle growth and provide energy. A deficiency of valine in the body, caused by the inability of the body to metabolise valine leads to the Maple Syrup Urine Disease in which the person’s urine smells like maple syrup.