Question

What are essential amino acids? Give examples.

Answer 1

• Essential amino acids are the amino acids which cannot be synthesized by the body and are required for normal health and proper functioning of the body.
• As a result, they must be obtained by consuming various protein-rich foods. Meat, eggs, and fish are the best source of essential amino acids. Out of the 20 amino acids that are needed by our body to grow and function properly, nine are essential amino acids while the rest are non-essential amino acids.
• Methionine, valine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, lysine, threonine and phenylalanine are examples of essential amino acids.