Amino acids refer to the molecular structure consisting of both amine and carboxyl functional groups. Referred to as alpha-amino acids in Biochemistry, typically it is defined with the formula H2NCHRCOOH where R stands for organic substitute. Amino acids can be called as the building blocks of our life.

They get combined in an unlimited number of configurations to construct all the required proteins with which our body is built. There are essentially 20 common amino acids that keep us alive, healthy and energetic. If deficiency occurs in an individual amino acid, it may create serious problem to our health system. The name of these 20 common amino acids is as follows: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalaine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

Alanine

It is one of the most significant among the 20 common amino acids. It offers energy to your system. It releases into the blood stream during exercise time and induces carbohydrate-consuming effect to the health system. It promotes enhancement in the area of protein synthesis and nitrogen balance.

Arginine

Synthesized normally in the body, arginine is known to be a semi-essential amino acid. Sometimes more is required than normal production. Deficiencies may include poor wound healing, weakness in muscles, hair loss, irritations in skin, and constipation.

Asparagine

It is one of the 20 common amino acids. It is needed to maintain homeostatic balance in the nervous system. Amino acid transformation and ammonia synthesis are largely dependent on asparagine.

Aspartic Acid

Aspartic acid is one of two acidic amino acids belonging to the group of 20 common amino acids. It promotes enzyme activity, maintenance of solubility in the body, as well as homeostasis in ionic characters of proteins.

Cysteine

It is present only at the rate of 2.8% into proteins but it provides the 3-dimensional stability of the protein molecule. It also plays a crucial role in the metabolic process of many important enzymes.

Glutamic Acid

It is one of the important amino acid among all 20 common amino acids. It is responsible for transportation of glutamate and other amino acids to the blood barrier.

Glutamine

Glutamine is able to eliminate excess ammonia from the body system. It enhances immune system. Apart from that, glutamine possesses anti-anxiety property that permits the mind to be relaxed.

Glycine

Glycine is known as the second most common among the group of amino acids. It helps transforming harmful toxic substances within the body to a non-toxic form.

Histidine

Histidine is required for infant development. Histidine deficiency may result in eczema, a kind of skin disease. There are few genetic disorders that promote non-metabolic state for histidine. This results in speech disorders and mental retardations among infants and toddlers.

Isoleucine

This amino acid is particularly important for stimulating the brain in order to produce mental alertness.

Leucine

It is particularly effective in producing other essential biochemical compounds in the body. These chemicals are important for producing bodily energy and mental alertness.

Lysine

Lysine is one of the most important amino acid among all 20 common amino acids. It functions against herpes virus in particular by providing body required nutritional supplements.

Methionine

It is an essential amino acid which functions at initiating the translation of messenger RNA.

Phenylalaine

This amino acid profoundly affects brain cells at biochemical level.

Proline

It significantly affects human nutrition. It is believed to act as a source of nitrogen.

Serine

Serine is intimately related to various bodily functions such as fat metabolism, tissue growth, enhancement of immune system and many more. It is an essential ingredient of brain protein.

Threonine

It helps in maintaining protein balance and also in assisting collagen formation.

Tryptophan

This is particularly needed in the body for the production of vitamin B3.

Tyrosine

This is crucial in building link between dopamine and norepinephrine. It also reduces fat by suppressing appetite.

Valine

It is effective in promoting tissue growth and maintaining nitrogen balance in the health system.