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.

Alpha Galactosidase is a natural enzyme that helps to break down complex sugars like polysaccharides and oligosaccharides into simple sugars in the digestive tract. Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are found in foods such as legumes and cruciferous vegetables. Alpha Galactosidase, thereby not only makes it easier to digest these foods but also helps to reduce flatulence. Otherwise, these complex sugars on being fermented by the natural flora of the large intestine may cause bloating, gas and discomfort. Alpha Galactosidase, obtained from the fungus Aspergillus niger, is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of tablet as well as liquid.

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.

Bromelain - There are numerous health benefits of bromelain. Studies have shown that bromelain helps improve both the health and quality of life in a variety of ways. It is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the body and helps ease and prevent a number of diseases due to its valuable medicinal properties. It is beneficial for arthritis patients since it helps decrease swelling and inflammation which can be caused by this disorder. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, bromelain can also aid in treatment of rheumatism. It also has blood thinning properties, and thus it can be efficacious in preventing and treating clots in blood and plaques in arteries that in turn helps prevent cardiovascular problems. It helps alleviate aches and pain.

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.

Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid which one of the most abundantly, naturally occurring amino acids in the human body. It is also unique in that it is one the few amino acids which can directly cross the blood-brain barrier. Glutamine is found in the blood and skeletal muscles. Glutamine is also abundantly present in a large variety of foods including chicken, beef, eggs, dairy, whet, cabbage, beets, spinach, parsley etc and hence it’s very rare to have a glutamine deficiency. Supplements however may need to be taken in case of illness or injury. Glutamine has a major role in protein synthesis. It is also essential for regulating the acid-base balance in the kidney through the production of ammonium. Glutamine is a substrate for DNA synthesis and aids in immune function by acting as a precursor for rapidly dividing immune cells.

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.

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-Isoleucine is one of the nine essential amino acids that is not produced in the body. It can be obtained from animal sources like liver, fish, eggs, chicken, meat and vegetable sources like rye, cashew nuts, almonds, lentils, chickpeas and soy proteins. The metabolism of L-Isoleucine takes place in muscle tissue. It is needed for the formation of hemoglobin and stabilizes and regulates blood sugar and energy levels. It is also known to increase endurance levels and helps in the recovery of muscles after exercise. It strengthens the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and increases the level of growth hormones and insulin to maintain the body’s balance. A deficiency leads to a number of physical and mental disorders with symptoms similar to hypoglycemia.

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-Valine is an essential alpha amino acid and one of the three essential branched chain amino acids found in the human body. The other two essential BCAAs are leucine and isoleucine. The name is derived from the plant valerian. Valine is also classified as nonpolar and is known by sickle cell disease sufferers as the substitute amino acid for the glutamic acid, whereby the hydrophobic qualities of valine cause the hemoglobin to not fold correctly. Just like the other three BCAAs, the primary source of valine is through ingestion of proteins, where valine is a component; some such sources would be fish, peanuts, poultry, cottage cheese, lentils and sesame seeds. L-Valine is found in large quantities in muscles, whereby in the muscle metabolism it is essential for the restoration and tissue growth.

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 is an essential amino acid that plays an important role in the formation of proteins. It is converted into tyrosine in the body which stimulates the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. It helps treat and manage the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and Parkinson’s disease. It also alleviates the symptoms from alcohol withdrawal. It also has the ability to reduce pains caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Phenylalanine also treats vitiligo, a skin pigmentation disorder. Phenylalanine may also help in weight loss because it aids in suppressing the appetite and cravings, and at the same time, it promotes the production of energy.

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 amino acid derived from amino acid glycine and is beneficial to both mental and physical health.It is vital for proper functioning of brain and central nervous system. Serine helps form phospholipids that are needed to make every cell in the body. It also is helpful in muscle formation and maintaining a strong immune system. Proteins used to form the brain, and the protective myelin sheaths covering nerves, contain serine. It is also required for producing amino acid tryptophan, which is used to make serotonin, a chemical that determines mood. Shortage of serotonin and tryptophan has been associated with depression, confusion, insomnia, and anxiety. Decreased serine levels can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

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.