SIDE CHAINS CONTAINING
ALIPHATIC SIDE CHAINS
GLYCINE - precursor for a variety of
important metabolites such as
glutathione, porphyrins, purines,
haem, and creatine. Glycine acts as
neurotransmitter in central
nervous system and it has many
roles such as antioxidant, anti-
inflammatory, cryoprotective, and
immunomodulatory in peripheral
and nervous tissues. It is a building
block for making proteins in the
body.
ALANINE – is an amino acid that is
used to make proteins. It is used to
break down tryptophan and
vitamin B-6. It is a source of energy
for muscles and the central
nervous system. It strengthens the
immune system and helps the body
to use sugars.
VALINE – is an α-amino acid that is
used in the biosynthesis of
proteins. It contains an α-amino
group, an α carboxylic acid group,
and a side chain isopropyl group,
making it non-polar aliphatic amino
acid. It promotes muscle growth
and tissue repair. It is essential in
humans, meaning the body cannot
synthesize it, it must be obtained
from the diet.
LEUCINE – is one of the 3 essential
branched chain amino acids
(BCAAs). It is essential for protein
synthesis. These amino acids can
be used by skeletal muscle to give
energy during exercise.
ISOLEUCINE – It may help control
blood sugar. It may also boost
energy and endurance. It is also
said to help speed healing of
injured muscles. Isoleucine may
also help muscle development and
lean body mass.
SIDE CHAINS CONTAINING liver damage from acetaminophen
HYDROXYLIC (OH) GROUPS poisoning.
SERINE – is critical for the SIDE CHAINS CONTAINING ACIDIC
production of the body’s proteins, GROUPS OR THEIR AMIDES
enzymes, and muscle tissue. This is
ASPARTIC ACID - It helps make
needed for proper metabolism of
other amino acids and some
fats and fatty acids. Serine is used
nucleotides. Aspartic acid also
as a natural moisturizing agent in
plays a role in energy production in
some cosmetics and skin care
the body. It also helps send
products.
chemical signals through the
THREONINE – mainly serves as a nervous system.
substrate for protein synthesis,
ASPARAGINE - is needed to
particularly mucin. In addition, Thr
produce many proteins but also
can enter catabolic pathway, where
plays other roles. Asparagine helps
it can be metabolized to a variety of
to break down toxic ammonia
important products (glycine, acetyl
within cells, is important for
CoA, pyruvate) that play crucial role
protein modification, and is needed
in host metabolism. This aid in
for making a certain molecule that
maintaining healthy skin, teeth,
transmits signals in the brain (a
collagen, elastin, and muscle tissue,
neurotransmitter).
it also helps with digestion,
metabolism and preventing fat GLUTAMIC ACID - is an amino acid
buildup in the liver. used to form proteins. In the body
it turns into glutamate. This is a
TYROSINE – It is an essential
chemical that helps nerve cells in
component for the production of
the brain send and receive
several important brain chemicals
information from other cells. It may
called neurotransmitter, including
be involved in learning and
epinephrine, norepinephrine, and
memory.
dopamine. It can act as a mood
elevator and an anti-depressant. GLUTAMINE - is important for
removing excess ammonia (a
SIDE CHAINS CONTAINING SULFUR
common waste product in the
ATOMS
body). It also helps your immune
CYSTEINE – is a non-essential system function and may be
amino acid important for making needed for normal brain function
protein, and for other metabolic and digestion. You can usually get
functions. It is found in beta- enough glutamine without taking a
keratin. This is the main protein in supplement because your body
nails, skin, and hair. Cysteine is makes it and you get some in your
important for making collagen diet.
METHIONINE – is an antioxidant. It
may help protect the body from
damage caused by ionizing
radiation. It may detoxify harmful
substances in the body, such as
heavy metals. It may also prevent
SIDE CHAINS CONTAINING BASIC wake cycle, and serotonin is
GROUPS thought to help regulate appetite,
sleep, mood, and pain. The liver
ARGININE - is necessary for making
can also use tryptophan to produce
proteins and is commonly used for
niacin (vitamin B3), which is
circulation. L-arginine is converted
needed for energy metabolism and
in the body into a chemical called
DNA production. It is commonly
nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes
used to treat insomnia and sleep
blood vessels to open wider for
disorders like sleep apnea.
improved blood flow. L-arginine
Tryptophan has been noted as
also stimulates the release of
possibly effective for helping to
growth hormone, insulin, and
relieve premenstrual dysphoric
other substances in the body.
disorder (PMDD). Some older
LYSINE - help the body absorb research trusted source shows that
calcium, and it plays an important tryptophan may be effective for
role in the formation of collagen, a smoking cessation, too.
substance important for bones and
IMINO ACID
connective tissues including skin,
tendons, and cartilage. Most PROLINE - Proline plays important
people get enough lysine in their roles in protein synthesis and
diet. structure, metabolism (particularly
the synthesis of arginine,
HISTIDINE - is an amino acid most
polyamines, and glutamate via
people get from food. It's used in
pyrroline-5-carboxylate), and
growth, repair of damaged tissues,
nutrition, as well as wound healing,
and making blood cells. It helps
antioxidative reactions, and
protect nerve cells. It's used by the
immune responses.
body to make histamine. Among
the 20 natural amino acids histidine
is the most active and versatile
member that plays the multiple
roles in protein interactions, often
the key residue in enzyme catalytic
reactions.

CONTAINING AROMATIC RINGS

HISTIDINE

PHENYLALANINE - enhance mood

and alertness. It may help treat
some types of depression. It's been
used to help treat schizophrenia
and Parkinson disease.
Phenylalanine is used in some
artificial sweeteners.

TYROSINE

TRYPTOPHAN - help make

melatonin and serotonin.
Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-