AMINO ACIDS

Amino acids function as the building blocks of proteins. Chemically, amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino (NH²) group and a carboxyl (COOH) group.

There are about 20 amino acids required by the human body, but 8 of these cannot be synthesized by our bodies. These are known as the 'essential amino acids.'  Protein foods that contain all 8 of these in sufficient quantities are called 'complete proteins'.  Some of these 'complete proteins' are egg yolks, fresh milk, liver and kidney.

Amino acids are classified as essential, nonessential and conditionally essential. If body synthesis is inadequate to meet metabolic need, an amino acid is classified as essential and must be supplied as part of the diet.

Essential amino acids include leucine, isoleucine, valine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, lysine, histidine and possibly arginine.

Nonessential amino acids can be synthesized by the body in adequate amounts, and include alanine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline and serine.

Conditionally essential amino acids become essential under certain clinical conditions
International Food Information Council Foundation
 

Also see: Food Articles and Cooking Tips

CULINARY SCHOOLS
& COOKING CLASSES
From Amateur & Basic Cooking Classes to Professional Chef Training & Degrees -  Associates, Bachelors & Masters - More than 1,000 schools & classes listed for all 50 States, Online and Worldwide

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS

Please feel free to link to any pages of FoodReference.com from your website.
For permission to use any of this content please E-mail: james@foodreference.com
All contents are copyright © 1990 - 2024 James T. Ehler and www.FoodReference.com unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved.  You may copy and use portions of this website for non-commercial, personal use only.
Any other use of these materials without prior written authorization is not very nice and violates the copyright.
Please take the time to request permission.

FoodReference.com (since 1999)

Home   |   Articles   |   FOOD TRIVIA   |   Today in Food History   |   Food_Timeline   |   Recipes   |  Cooking_Tips   |   Food Quotes   |   Who’s Who   |   Culinary Schools and Tours   |   Food_Trivia_Quizzes   |   Food Poems   |   Free Magazines   |   Food Festivals & Events

You are here > Home > 

Next

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS SECTION