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.

Calcium, is a supple gray alkaline earth metal, which is the fifth most abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust. Calcium is also at the fifth most profuse dissolved ion in seawater by both molarities and mass. Calcium is a significant nutrient that we require in our bodies. It has many imperative functions. It helps getting strong teeth and bones and is involved in muscle contractions and blood clotting, The calcium is mainly stored in our teeth and bones. Low calcium level may lead to the bone fractures and in some cases porous bones or osteoporosis, generally in old age. The intake of calcium can drop down the high blood pressure, maintain your heart functions, avert gum disease, prevent colon and rectum cancer, and help blood to clot.

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.

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 an essential amino acid that is sometimes also referred to as amino acid K. It is effective in preventing atherosclerosis which causes the walls of the arteries to harden caused by deposits of lipoproteins or fats. It is able to loosen and preventing the deposits of fats and reduces the risks of stroke and hypertension or high blood pressure. It also promotes the production of carnitine that converts fatty acids into energy. It also controls the blood pressure level. Lysine also helps in the absorption of calcium that keeps the bones healthy. It also promotes collagen production that is important in maintaining the joints and connective tissues healthy.

Methionine is an a-amino acid classified in the non polar group of amino acids. All amino acids have a basic structure in which there is a central carbon atom, attached with the amine, carboxyl, and functional groups as side chains and also a hydrogen atom. Only the functional group varies in different amino acids and the properties, and thus the importance of the amino acids varies according to the functional groups. Methionine has a non polar thioether group as its functional group. Most of the advantages of methionine are based on the fact that the body can convert it into very useful substances. On its own, it is a potent antioxidant and helps in the breakdown of fat. When converted to creatine monohydrate, it helps muscle building.

Phenylalanine has also been used in the treatment of attention deficit disorder, fatigue and premenstrual syndrome. Phenylalanine also acts as an analgesic and appetite suppressant by releasing an intestinal hormone that signals the brain to feel full after eating.

Phosphate (Phosphorus) is the chemical element with the atomic number 15 in the periodic table. It is not found as a free element anywhere in the world. In biology and biochemistry it may be the most important element, being present in all living cells of living species. It is present in the DNA, in the RNA, in ATP, but is also found in cell membranes in form of phospholipids. It is also present in the bones, where it builds calcium phosphate salts, responsible for strong bones. Apatite is a collection of phosphate minerals which are generally found in bones and teeth; namely bromapatite, fluorapatite, chlorapatite and hydroxyapatite. Several phosphates are being added to body building supplements and powders, intended to aid in skeletal and cellular strength improvement.

Potassium, a mineral that is quite common in our food. Potassium is needed for proper muscle growth, nervous system and brain function and to help balance the PH of our bodies.

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 proteinogenic amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It is derived from the metabolite glycine. It is important to overall health, both physical and mental, as well as the proper functioning of the brain and central nervous system. It is an important factor to the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines, which directly affects the body’s metabolic rate. Serine forms the phospholipids that are needed to make cells in the body. Promotion of a healthy immune system is also one of serine’s benefits, as it produces immunoglobulins and antibodies. Serine produces trypophan which is an amino acid that is used to make serotonin.

Sodium is the element that has the atomic number 11 in the periodic table and is commonly known as the main component in the table salt, together with chloride. Interestingly enough, it is probably the one dietary component which does require limitation rather than supplementation, since that average daily nutritional requirement is around half a gram per day. This most popular food seasoning, salt, is providing the most common source of sodium and chloride in human diets, but is generally overused and may cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, if consumed overly generously. The suggested dose of table salt, or rather the upper limit portion, would be somewhat less than 6 gram per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, referenced by FDA. In the UK this limit is set at four grams per day.

Taurine is an amino acid that the body usually has lots of. It can be found both in the nervous system as well as the muscles. Its job amongst other things is to assist in the releasing of brain neurotransmitters.

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-If you have ever felt sleepy or drowsy following a big "turkey" dinner, then you have felt the effects of tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that is found in foods that contain protein, such as turkey. Tryptophan in supplement form is mainly for those who suffer from insomnia, as an all natural sleep aid. Tryptophan may also be used for mental enhancement and as an appetite suppressant to help achieve weight loss or maintain an ideal body weight. The way that tryptophan works is by converting to serotonin in the body, which is a natural chemical that causes a sleepy feeling.

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.

Whey Protein Concentrate is one of the three major forms in which whey protein is available for human use. Whey protein concentrate is characterized by having low amounts of fat and cholesterol and about 70-89% protein by weight. They have higher levels of carbohydrates in the form of lactose and have higher amounts of bioactive compounds. Whey protein concentrates confer the same benefits that are attributed to whey protein, i.e., they are highly and readily bioavailable and contain high amounts of branched chain amino acids which are wonderful for muscle repair and growth. In addition the low amount of fat and cholesterol are an added advantage to people requiring protein supplementation without increasing their blood lipid profiles.