What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are some of the most important substances within a healthy diet.

Although many individuals may not be aware of their purpose or even of their existence, the fact is that these "building blocks" of life are present in many of the foods that we eat.

In simplest terms, these acids are what comprise the structure of protein molecules. When the body digests protein, it will break it down into these fundamental building blocks. There are numerous different types of amino acids and each tends to serve a fundamental purpose in a certain aspect of the metabolism and repair of the body. Some will involve cellular maintenance while others are directly geared towards building muscle.

Thus, it is quite common for athletes and bodybuilders to include these substances as a supplement to their current dietary plans. Now that we have a general understanding of what these building blocks are, let us examine their specific roles within the body.