L-Alanine- As one of the twenty alpha amino acids that are proteinogenic, which means that these amino acids are building blocks of proteins, L-Alanine is the second most abundant amino acid, with leucine being the first. This nonpolar amino acid can be produced by the body by means of reductive amination of pyruvate and some branched chain amino acids, like isoleucine, leucine and valine. Liver and tissues depend on alanine, which plays a prominent role in the glucose alanine cycle. Alanine is also involved in the removal of nitrogen from tissues to the liver, but alanine also assists in the blood sugar tapping of the body for energy requirements. Despite being a non-essential amino acid, alanine is found in meat, dairy products, fish, poultry, eggs, some beans, nuts and seeds, brown rice bran, corn and whole grains, among other sources.

L-Arginine is an amino acid that is naturally present in a variety of foods such as chocolate, seafood, dairy products, and nuts. It aids in healing of wounds and in regeneration of cells and tissues. It stimulates the production of human growth hormones (GH) that promotes weight loss and the development of muscles. It also aids in the maintenance of blood pressure and cholesterol level, by lowering the low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increasing the high density lipoprotein (HDL). It protects against heart diseases and the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is especially important in the maintenance of male reproductive system and fights infertility and impotence.

L-Aspartic Acid is an amino acid which is extremely essential to the body. It has a variety of beneficiary properties, in that it acts as a detoxifier by combining with other acids to remove toxins from the blood stream, and helps in building immune system antibodies and converts carbohydrates into muscular energy. People with lowered levels of L-Aspartic Acids may find themselves susceptible to fatigue and tiredness. People tend to feel that they have no energy to continue with a particular activity, and replenishing the body’s levels of L-Aspartic acid may be just the thing to get back to normal. Natural sources rich in L-Aspartic Acid are animal protein, avocado, asparagus and oats. Dietary supplements can also make available, the required amounts of L-Aspartic Acid.

L-Cysteine- If two cysteine molecules are bound together by a disulfide structural unit, the amino acid dimer L-Cystine is formed. It is deemed a vital component of proteins, where formations of the disulfide bonds are made between and within protein molecules. It seems that thereby L-Cystine is determining to a significant amount the three dimensional structure of a prominent number of proteins. For instance, it has been determined that human hair contains about five percent of cystine. In case that the non-essential alpha amino acid cysteine is required by the body, the disulfide link is apparently readily reduced. While cysteine can be derived from protein rich sources such as meat, poultry and dairy products, L-Cystine, although present in these, is most abundantly found in undenatured whey proteins.

L-Glutamic Acid- In the proteinogenic group of twenty amino acids, the group that is deemed the building blocks of proteins, L-Glutamic Acid is one of the more commonly known ones. The reason for this fame are the carboxylate anions and salts of the glutamic acid, the glutamates. Glutamic acid is present in many fermented or aged food sources, such as cheese and soy sauce, but also in yeast extracts. The sodium salt of glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, is a very popular and widely used food additive. Glutamate is an extremely important molecule in cellular metabolism. Glutamate is also one of the most commonly occurring excitatory neurotransmitters. Glutamate has been also identified as a precursor to GABA inhibitor. Glutamic acid is deemed responsible for one of the five basic tastes, the human taste sense commonly called umami.

L-Glycine- Glycine is an organic compound and one of the 20 amino acids deemed as building blocks for proteins. This proteinogenic amino acid is not only the smallest but also the only amino acid of the group that is not chiral, which means there is no enantiomer of glycine. With the prominent exception of collagen, which thirty five percent are glycine, most proteins contain only small amounts of it. As a solid, glycine is sweet tasting, crystalline and has no color. Despite being non-essential, because it can be biosynthesized from the amino acid serine, glycine has several important physiological functions, besides being a precursor to proteins. It is a biosynthetic intermediate of purines and the D-Aminolevulinic acid and it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system.

L-Histidine is an amino acid which is present in proteins. It is furthermore one of only twenty amino acids located there and is considered essential for human infants. Older children and adults are able to synthesize histidine, which thereafter is deemed non-essential. Histidine is viewed as a precursor for the biosynthesis of histamine, but also of carnosine. The enzyme necessary for the synthesis of histidine into histamine is called histidine decarboxylase. Histidine transmiase is able to transfer L-Histidine into (imidazol-5-yl)pyruvate and L-glutamate. L-Histidine is deemed necessary also for the utilization and regulation of other essential trace minerals by the human body, these minerals are manganese, iron, zinc, copper and molybdenum. With help of histidine kinase, protein L-Histidine and adenosine triphosphate can be converted into adenosine diphosphate and protein N-phospho-L-histidine.

L-Isoleucine- The second of three branched chain amino acids it is important in blood sugar regulation and producing hemoglobin. After exercise, it is responsible for muscle recovery and important in the metabolism to produce energy.

L-Leucine- Leucine is an essential amino acid that does not synthesize in humans and so must be ingested. It slows the degradation of muscle tissue and is used in the formation of sterols.

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid obtainable from daily food sources we consume. It has many medicinal properties which benefit us in our daily lives. While it is mainly used in the treatment of herpes, it also helps us become stronger by building our muscle tissues. It helps us to recover form injuries and surgeries besides absorbing calcium for building healthy bones. It also regulates the production of antibodies, enzymes and hormones which are required for healthy immunity level. L-lysine when consumed in high doses can lead to serious conditions. Although L-lysine is important for good health, we never really realize we are consuming it. Deficiency of L-lysine causes lethargy, amnesia, enzyme disorders, reproductive problems and hair loss. Generally, L-lysine is present in all vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Fish and cereals have higher amount of L-lysine in them.

L-Methionine, an essential amino acid for the human body, acts as a building block for proteins. Since the body cannot produce it naturally, you need to take it through supplements and diet. This antioxidant is found in dairy products and meat and is essential for producing creatine. It is soluble in water and helps in breakdown of fats. You can also find L-Methionine in vegetables and fruits. Since it is a glycogenic amino acid, it helps in forming glycogen and D-glucose. On a daily basis, experts recommend only 13 mg of L-Methionine for adults. These supplements are not only effective in liver disease treatment but also beneficial for individuals who follow a vegetarian diet. You can enhance the quality of your skin, hair and nails by taking L-Methionine supplements.

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.

L-Proline is a proteinogenic alpha amino acid, one of only twenty amino acids that are DNA encoded for the forming of protein. It is not deemed essential because humans are able to synthesize it from the amino acid L-Glutamate. This unique member of the twenty protein building block amino acids is the only one of the group that is distinct as belonging to the secondary alpha amino group. L-Proline plays a role in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is undeniably the most common protein in mammals, being found in skin, tendons, joints, ligaments, vasculature and bones. It is deemed good for the health of joints, when taken as a supplement. Low protein diets, vegetarian and vegan diets as well as malnutrition lead to diminished L-Proline levels.

L-Serine- Serine is an organic compound and a proteinogenic amino acid that is considered a building block for the creation of proteins. This member of the hydroxyl group and a polar amino acid is not essential and therefore it is not necessary to ingest it by means of diet. L-Serine can be synthesized from metabolites such as glycine. L-Serine plays a role in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines and purines, furthermore it is a precursor to many metabolites like sphingolipids and to amino acids like cysteine and glycine. It is also involved in catalytic functions of several enzymes. L-Serine can be transformed into D-Serine by the serine racemase, which functions as a neuronal signal and NMDA receptor activator in the brain, a vital glutamate receptor responsible for memory functions and synaptic plasticity.

L-Threonine is an amino acid that is essential to the body, but must be obtained from various sources, as it is not produced by the body. L-Threonine is a well known amino detoxifying agent which works in the liver, preventing the build up of fat. It assists in metabolism and helps the intestinal and digestive tracts to function with absolute ease. L-Threonine also helps in the formation of enamel, elastin, collagen and muscle tissue. Foods rich in Threonine are leafy vegetables, poultry and pork, but it can be obtained from various pulses, whole grains, nuts and fruits like peaches and pairs. Commonly used in the relief of stress and anxiety, L-Threonine helps the consumer to have a completely healthy mental and physical style of living.

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid made from proteins during the digestion by the action of proteolytic enzymes. It promotes the production of serotonin that is involved in vasopressure regulation. It also helps regulate blood pressure, and prevents atherosclerosis. It is also involved in treating depression, anxiety, enhance mood, improve sleep, and control impulses. It may also be used for treatment of attention deficit patients. It also helps in weight loss because it curbs the cravings and suppresses appetite. L-Tryptophan also plays an important role in the production of niacin. It helps relieve and alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It also promotes the production of growth hormones.

L-Tyrosine is a proteinogenic polar amino acid, deemed not essential because it can be synthesized by the human body. As a member of the amino acid group that is being used by cells to build proteins, this building block derived its name from the Greek word tyros, which means cheese, because it was discovered in the cheese protein casein. L-Tyrosine can be synthesized from phenylalanine and can be found in foods high on protein, like soy products, poultry, cheese, bananas, dairy products and several seeds, including the sesame seeds. The unique phenol functionality and the occurrence in proteins that belong to the signal transduction process, make this amino acid different. Tyrosine can be converted by tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme into levodopa, a psychoactive drug that is used, among other uses, for clinical treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is also involved in the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.

L-Valine is an amino acid in combination with L-Leucine and L-Isoleucine. These amino acids maintain everyday life and offer maximum support. L-Valine is acquired from vegetable and animal protein. L-Valine regulates the immune system and is involved in the protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. L-Valine is effective in muscle growth as well as tissue repair. L-Valine is a part of the muscle metabolism and is also effective in the nitrogen balance in the body. L-Valine is found in the muscles in high concentration, but this cannot be done on its own in the body and has to be acquired through dietary or food supplements. L-Valine has stimulating effect and maintains the nitrogen in the body. It is effective for repair as well as growth of tissues and for muscle metabolism. Adhering to the label directions is highly recommended. This is normally safe and has no side effect until now. However, for the dietary supplement consulting the physician before use is the best.

Whey Protein Isolate is a pure high quality protein made from cow's milk. It is a naturally complete protein containing all of the essential amino acids required by the body daily. It is a rich source of branched chain amino acids which metabolize directly into muscle tissue and are the first ones used during periods of exercise and resistance training. It is an excellent source of Lucien which plays a key role in promoting muscle growth. Whey protein also helps stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.