What are essential amino acids and how important are they for the body?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in our body. They are responsible for many important functions in the body, such as the production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

What are essential amino acids?

Essential amino acids are amino acids that the body cannot produce itself. They must therefore be ingested with food. There are nine essential amino acids that the body needs:

histidine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
methionine
phenylalanine
threonine
tryptophan
valine

How important are essential amino acids for the body?

Essential amino acids are essential to the body as they are required for the production of proteins, enzymes and hormones. They are also important for the function of the immune system, the development of muscles and bones, the function of the nervous system and metabolism.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), some essential amino acids may also support energy metabolism.

Lysine contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Histidine helps maintain normal skin .
Threonine contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissue.
Methionine helps maintain normal hair .
Phenylalanine helps maintain normal vision.

Because essential amino acids are essential to life, it is important to get them from a balanced diet. A good source of essential amino acids are animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Plant-based foods such as legumes, nuts and seeds also contain essential amino acids .