Essential amino acids are the amino acids that the body cannot make on its own, so they must be taken from food.
These amino acids are very important for growth, repair, and overall health.
There are nine essential amino acids for humans:
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Main idea:
- The body needs them but cannot make them.
- They must come from protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, milk, fish, beans, and soy.
In short:
Essential amino acids are the building blocks of protein that we must get from our diet.