NAME | FUNCTIONS | BEST FOOD SOURCES | HISTIDINE | a building block of proteins, glucogenic amino acid — it can be converted into glucose | pork, beef, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese,legumes | ISOLEUCINE | Important for synthesis of hemoglobin and other proteins,detoxification of nitrogen wastes, wound healing andimmunity | pork, beef, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese,wheat germ, legumes, seeds and baker’s yeast | LEUCINE | Important for the synthesis of hemoglobin, other proteins and hormones, regulation of blood sugar levels, growth and repair of bones and muscles and wound healing | beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese,cereals, legumes, nuts, seeds, baker’s yeast and spirulina | LYSINE | mportant for the synthesis of carnitine (a substance that helps to convert fats into energy) and collagen (a protein which gives strength to the bones, cartilage and skin) and other proteins and for calcium absorption | beef, pork, poultry, sardines, spirulina, soy products,brewer’s yeast, eggs,green beans, peas, lentils, spinach, amaranth, nuts, fenugreek seed | METHIONINE | A source of sulfur, a substance that helps the liver to efficiently process fats | beef, pork, poultry, fish, crabs, mollusks, cheese egg white,whole grains, cornmeal, nuts, seeds | PHENYLALANINE | A ketogenic amino acid — it can be converted into ketones | meat, fish, cheese,beans, wheat germ, lentils, seeds, nuts, baker’s yeast, spirulina | THREONINE | A precursor of the amino acids serine and glycine; the later acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which reduces spasticity | meat, fish, cheese,beans, lentils, wheat germ, seeds, baker’s yeast, spirulina | TRYPTOPHAN | a precursor of melatonin and serotonin and nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) | pork, beef, lamb, veal, sea lion, salmon and other fish, oysters, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, dolphin, mollusks, elk meat, quail, goat, caribou, pheasant, turkey, squab, rabbit, buffalo, chicken, boar, egg whites | VALINE | A stimulant — it maintains mental vigor, muscle coordination, and emotional calm | meat, fish, cheese,wheat germ, legumes, seeds,peanuts, baker’s yeast, spirulina | ALANINE | An energy source for brain, muscles, Involved insugar and amino acid metabolism, Involved in immunity | meat, fish, cheese, legumes, seeds and nuts | ARGININE | Important for the production of nitric oxide (NO),which widens the arteries,detoxification of nitrogenous wastes and stimulation of growth hormone release | meat, fish, cheese,wheat, nuts, seeds and beans | ASPARAGINE | A mild diuretic, Important for removal of nitrogenous wastes | meat, fish, cheese,legumes, seeds, nuts, asparagus | ASPARTATE | Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system | meat, fish, cheese,meat, fish, cheese | CYSTEINE | A building block of proteins,especially of collagen in the skin andbeta-keratin in hair and nails | chicken, turkey, fish (bluefish, yellowtail, tuna, salmon), pork (ham) beef, veal, lamb, bison, crabs, mollusks, cheese | GLUTAMATE | Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system | | GLUTAMINE | An energy source for the intestinal, kidney and nerve cells,The main nitrogen carrier,A precursor for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and for the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA | meat, fish, cheese,legumes | GLYCINE | Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system, a precursor of heme, a part of hemoglobin | meat, fish, cheese,legumes | PROLINE | A building block of the protein collagen in tendons, bones, cartilage and skin, and of other proteins | | SERINE | A stimulant neurotransmitter (D-serine) in the brain, A glucogenic amino acid — it can be converted into glucose, Involved in the metabolism of fats, Important for the synthesis of pyrimidines, purines (parts of DNA) andcreatine | | TYROSINE | A precursor of: The thyroid hormone (thyroxine) The neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain The neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline) The hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) Melanin–a pigment in skin, hair and iris | most animal foods,peanuts, seeds, baker’s yeast,spirulina |

Amino acids (essential and non-essential) essential amino acids______non-essential amino acids | | Arginine Histadine Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Methionine Phenylalanine Threonine Tryptophan Valine | Alanine Asparagine Aspartate Cysteine Glutamate Glutamine Glycine Proline Serine Tyrosine | |