Amino Acids
The building blocks of life. Amino acids form proteins, create neurotransmitters, support detoxification, and enable countless biochemical reactions. Nine are essential—you must eat them. Others are conditionally essential under stress, illness, or genetic variants.
Essential Amino Acids
Leucine
mTOR trigger. Muscle protein synthesis. Most anabolic. ~3g threshold.
Isoleucine
BCAA. Muscle metabolism. Energy during exercise. Blood sugar regulation.
Valine
BCAA. Muscle tissue repair. Energy source. Nervous system function.
Lysine
Collagen synthesis. Calcium absorption. Carnitine precursor. Herpes inhibitor.
Methionine
Methylation starter. SAMe precursor. Glutathione component. Sulfur source.
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine precursor. Dopamine pathway. Mood and focus. PKU consideration.
Threonine
Collagen, elastin structure. Immune function. Gut mucus layer.
Tryptophan
Serotonin and melatonin precursor. Mood, sleep. Competes with BCAAs.
Histidine
Histamine precursor. Immune function. Carnosine component. pH buffering.
Conditionally Essential
Glutamine
Gut lining fuel. Immune cells need it. Depleted under stress. Most abundant amino.
Glycine
Collagen component. Glutathione precursor. Calming neurotransmitter. Sleep support.
Tyrosine
Dopamine, adrenaline precursor. Thyroid hormones. Stress depletes it.
Cysteine
Glutathione component. NAC is supplemental form. Rate-limiting for GSH.
Arginine
Nitric oxide precursor. Blood flow. Growth hormone. Wound healing.
Proline
Collagen structure. Joint and skin health. Made from glutamate.