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 naturally occurring. While considered non-essential, it is used by the human body in a number of ways. Overall, it helps improve the immune system by stimulating the thymus gland, boosting white blood cell production and stimulating the release of growth hormone. Arginine helps with wound healing by helping with cell division and is an important part of the urea cycle, helping remove ammonia from the body. Arginine also helps the body with production of nitric oxide which can help reduce mild high blood pressure and help enhance athletic performance.

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 mineral that plays an important role in the development of the human body. It is common knowledge that calcium is important in preventing osteoporosis. However, calcium also provides structural support in the development of muscles. Deficiency in calcium could cause obesity because it triggers the release of parathyroid hormone that stimulates the production of fats in the body and inhibits its breakdown. It also reduces the blood pressure. Calcium also has the ability to fight colon cancer by binding itself with cancer cells to inhibit its growth and progression. It is also beneficial to women suffering from PMS or premenstrual syndrome such as depression, mood swings, anxiety, water retention, breast tenderness, and headaches.

Cystine is a non-essential sulfur containing amino acid. Our body can supply cystine on its own. Cystine is important for vitamin B6 utilization and is a detoxifying agent. It removes toxins absorbed by body through alcohol and smoking and protects body from damage of brain and liver. Cystine increases the level of glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant and helps in detoxifying harmful toxins in the liver. As Alpha-keratin, the protein that makes up the skin, fingernails and hair contains cystine; it is also used in anti-aging products. It is also useful for faster healing of burns and wounds, for low count of white blood cells and in skin diseases.

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 an amino acid acting as a transmitter of the nerve impulses. It reduces the spinal nerves action by supplying skeletal muscles. Glycine tastes sweet and is hence added to soft drinks so that it masks the aftertaste of saccharin bitterness. This is an organic compound and is found in animal proteins. Glycine takes active participation in the free state in many significant reactions such as the biosynthesis of heme which is indeed one the important constituents of hemoglobin. The glycine defects in metabolism are rare. This acid is however not essential as diet as it can be available from other substances to the body. This was the foremost acid to get isolated from protein. Glycine is employed in pharmaceutical applications. Glycine is sold as United States Pharmacopeia as well as technical grade. However, the USP grade has diverse uses. The technical grade may sometime not reach the standards or USP grade, but is widely used in industrial applications for metal finishing.

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 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.

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.

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 perhaps one of the most important mineral, which in form of phosphate as an intercellular anion serves a multitude of functions. Not only are phosphates essential for the utilization of most vitamins belonging to the B complex, but they are vital for energy storage and the overall metabolism. But that is not all, phosphate is essential for healthy bones and teeth, calcium with phosphorus are required for them and soft tissues as well. But also body fluids require phosphates for excretion of hydrogen ions through the kidneys. Somewhere around one per cent of the body weight should be phosphorus in some form, therefore it is vital to supply your body with sufficient phosphates through milk, cheese, nuts, peanut butter, peas and other sources, including supplements.

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 basically an amino acid that is not formed by the body. It is found freely in the bloodstream and in tissues. It is also found in abundance in the skeletal system, the heart and the nervous system. During times of extreme physical activity, the amounts of taurine in the body are depleted. Taurine has a tendency to act as a metabolic transmitter and can also be used as a detoxifying agent. It has been added to a number of products for infants as well. The popular energy drink ‘Red Bull’ is well known for its taurine content. Taurine is also recommended for use by people who suffer from manic depression. Taurine is tested and has proven to be an extremely safe dietary supplement.

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- Whey protein is derived from a by-product (whey) during the process of conversion of milk into cheese. It’s available in three forms namely concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate. - Whey protein concentrate has higher level of bioactive compounds and lactose. They are low in cholesterol and fat content and have 29 percent to 89 percent of protein by weight. It’s mainly used by body builders for building muscles; it has numerous other health benefits. Whey protein is a good source of protein for all age groups and has an essential amino acid leucine which helps in muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Whey protein is also used in cancer and other chronic diseases where people are suffering from protein calorie malnutrition. Amino acid present in whey protein is essential for nail, skin and muscle growth. It is used in all infant formulas as it contains components that are found in human breast milk and it is also used in health drinks for children as a good source of protein. It helps prevent bone loss and helps in healing of wounds, surgical incisions as body requires more protein for the healing process. Whey protein is used in weight loss supplements as an appetite suppressant. Whey protein helps in improving immune function in athletes as it increases the level of glutathione.