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 which helps our body oxidize glucose and fat and increase the body’s lean muscle mass. It is responsible for performing many numerous functions in our body. Our body produces L-arginine with the helps of other enzymes, but at a fairly inefficient rate. So patients with a history of cardiovascular dysfunction or any other heart disease are likely to get benefited from L-Arginine supplementation. Supplements of L-arginine prevent platelet aggregation and lowers blood pressure. L-arginine when taken in safe amounts can benefit men having sterility problems. Many body-builders also use it as a supplement because it improves blood circulation and stimulates the release of nitric oxide which in turn dilates the blood vessel. High protein food like nuts, dairy products, meat, seafood and chocolate are rich in L-arginine.

L-Aspartic Acid is deemed non essential in humans, since that it can be transaminated from oxaloacetate. Natural sources of L-Aspartic Acid are sugar cane and sugar beets, among others, like beef, poultry, eggs, potatoes, dairy, etc. Asparagine, which is deemed a synonym for L-Aspartic Acid, is required by the nervous system, but it also plays a vital part in the synthesis of ammonia. As an important participant in the citric acid circle in human metabolism, L-Aspartic Acid is vital for the proper function of many other amino acids and biochemical components, such as lysine, methionine, asparagine, arginine and isoleucine. L-Aspartic Acid seems to be able to increase stamina, thereby increasing the endurance in athletic competitions and workout regimes; furthermore it seems to increase the body’s resistance to fatigue.

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 that is essential to the body, but is not produced by the body. It is made available through various food sources. Histidine helps in the manufacture and repair of tissues in the body, and in the formation of red and white blood cells which help in the treatment of anemia. It is also used for the production of gastric juices by the stomach. A deficiency in Histidine can lead to cataract and rheumatoid arthritis. Besides this, it is also a well known component of the skin that protects it by absorbing the ultra violet rays of the sun. A variety of foods such as meat, legumes, seafood, nuts, poultry and dairy products are providers of the required amounts of 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 is useful in conjunction with L-Valine and L-Isoleucine as an amino acid supplement. L-Leucine is an amino acid that a body cannot produce on its own. It is expected to be received externally from food sources such as brown rice and nuts or even through some of the dietary supplementation. L-Leucine is showing numerous advantages in the athletic qualities. Within six week of training with L-Leucine in association, a person is able to maximize the aerobic power. In the six weeks the strength and power in the upper body increases. However, research and studies is limited carried on the athletic performance. L-Leucine incorporated into the muscle protein in continuation with two weeks exercise regime will give adequate resistance and the muscle protein synthesis will certainly show an increase. L-Leucine is a preservative of the muscles, but is as well a supplement that enhances the capabilities of muscle building owing to the enhanced protein synthesis rate.

L-Methionine- One of the most significant amino acids there is for the breaking down of fats. It is water-soluble and is known for deactivating free radicals. Recognized as being a leading antioxidant.

L-Phenylalanine is a vital amino acid. It acts as a building block for various proteins produced in the body. It is found in most foods that contain protein, like poultry, beef, pork, milk, fish, yogurt, cheese, eggs, soy products, and certain nuts and seeds. It can assist in decreasing chronic pain linked with different health conditions by inducing nerve pathways in the brain which control pain. It can also help improve rigidity and is beneficial in conditions like walking disabilities, depression associated with Parkinson’s disease, and speech difficulties. Combination of L-Phenylalanine with ultraviolet radiation for people having vitiligo, a condition that is characterized by irregular depigmentation or white patches of skin, can lead to some darkening or repigmentation of whitened areas, especially on the face.

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 optimizes the utilization of animals that you consume in order to deposit protein to the muscles and aides in weight gain.

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 common amino acid and a para-isomer of tyrosine. It is deemed organic because of the carbon atom present and it is nonessential to survival, but works as a building block of protein. It is also viewed as a precursor of dopamine, which has several effects, like offsetting fatigue, mental and physical, as well as increasing the impression of well being. When the amino acid phenylalanine is broken down, L-Tyrosine can be won completely naturally. Besides being a precursor of the aforementioned neurotransmitter dopamine, L-Tyrosine is also deemed a precursor to some adrenal hormones, namely epinephrine and norepinephrine. In body building circles this supplement is popular to offset fatigue after a hard training or competition, but also to raise mental alertness while working out.

L-Valine is an amino acid with stimulant activities. It not only helps in tissue repair but also promotes muscle growth. It is one of the three branched amino acids that are formulated for providing support to the human body for normal functioning. Derived from animal and vegetable protein, L-Valine is not only involved in the synthesis of protein and metabolism of glucose but it also regulates the immune system. L-Valine is also effective in maintaining the exercise recovery time and the balance of nitrogen in the body. Since the human body doesn’t produce this amino acid naturally, you need to acquire it through dietary supplements and food items. When taking L-Valine supplements, you must follow strict directions from the physician. Even though it doesn’t have any side effects, it helps to consult the physician before its usage.