L-Histidine is an essential amino acid that produces histamine, which aides with allergy systems.

L-Isoleucine is one of the amino acids besides the other two, L-Valine and L-Leucine. These are found in all the forms of life as proteins. They are as well obtainable in the diet through vegetable and animal sources. L-Isoleucine is good to regulated blood sugar as well the energy levels. It is also important in the synthesis of hemoglobulin and thereby increases endurance. L-Isolecuine gets metabolized in the tissues of the muscles and the opulent L-Isolecuine sources are almonds, cashews and soy protein. Hence, this is prominent among athletes and is taken in combination with the other two amino acids, L-Leucine and L-Valine. L-Isoleucine is required for the formation of hemoglobin and also regulates as well as stabilizes the energy levels. The other food sources of L-Isoleucine are eggs, meat, fish, rye, chickpeas, chicken, liver and lentils. People suffering from physical and mental disorders are usually deficient in L-Isoleucine. These amino acids are required for the synthesis of enzymes, structural protein and for hormones.

L-Leucine, is an alpha amino acid which is extremely essential in the everyday functioning of the body. Leucine is also an essential amino acid, meaning that the human body cannot synthesize it and it has to be ingested. And is found in brown rice, nuts and whole wheat bread products. L-Leucine as an essential amino acid increases the synthesis of muscle protein and thus slows the degradation of muscle tissue. L-Leucine is also utilised in the liver, adipose tissue and muscle tissue. Simply put, L-Leucine supplies the body with energy when engaging in an athletic activity, it preserves the glucose stored in muscle tissue and it works to heal bone, skin and muscle tissue. It is also a ‘limiting nutrient’ thus it helps the body make use of the proteins ingested. Leucine deficiency can lead to depression, muscle weakness, low energy etc.

L-Lysine- Lysine is an essential alpha amino acid that needs to be ingested and cannot be synthesized by the human body. Sources of L-Lysine include meat, particularly red meat, lamb, poultry and pork, but also cheeses, like parmesan, some fish like cod and sardines and eggs. Several plants are rich in L-Lysine, soybean, lentil, spinach and buckwheat, but also buffalo gourd, watercress, locust bean and many other bean variants, including the common bean. L-Lysine is deemed vital for the overall production of protein, as a structural building block. It seems that L-Lysine also plays a prominent part in the absorption of calcium. Further properties include playing a role in the production of enzymes, hormones and antibodies, but also in the recovery from sports injuries and surgeries.

L-Methionine is an essential amino acid, actually an alpha amino acid, furthermore classified as nonpolar. This proteinogenic amino acid is the only one, besides cysteine, which contains sulfur. Methionine serves as an intermediate of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, but also lecithin, taurine, carnitine and cysteine. If methionine cannot be properly synthesized, the condition can lead to atherosclerosis. While it must be supplied with diet, this amino acid is deemed a powerful antioxidant, believed to be a scavenger of free radicals, and may assist with the breakdown of fats. Sources of L-Methionine include poultry and related products, including eggs, but also other meats, such as beef, cheese and fish. Methionine adenosyltransferase is converting methionine to S-adenosylmethionine, SAM, which in turn is involved in the creation of creatine, epinephrine, melatonin and further substances.

L-Phenylalanine gained notoriety with the aspartame controversy where extensive internet bombardment against the artificial sweetener prompted a thorough cleaning by The Coca Cola Company and other interest groups. Now it seems that aspartame has more benefits to health than aspirin. L-Phenylalanine is an essential alpha amino acid that is deemed analgesic and antidepressant. It is hydrophobic and nonpolar, one of only twenty common amino acids that are used to produce protein as coded by the DNA. L-Phenylalanine can also convert into L-Tyrosine, which can then become L-DOPA, going forth to become norepinephrine, dopamine or epinephrine. Phenylalanine is very often found in foods, protein rich foods like meat, milk and milk products, poultry and fish, but also as already mentioned in the artificial sweetener aspartame.

L-Threonine is an essential alpha amino acid, classified as polar. There are three proteinogenic amino acids that have an alcohol group, besides threonine there are tyrosine and serine. Like many other amino acids that are not synthesized in humans, threonine needs to be ingested through protein food sources that contain it, namely meat, poultry, cottage cheese, fish, sesame seeds and others. When ingested, threonine goes either through the threonine dehydrogenase and becomes pyruvate or, as in humans, it can be converted by the enzyme serine dehydratase to alpha ketobutyrate and continue towards succinyl-CoA. Threonine is also supposed to assist the protein balance by maintaining normal growth, but in addition to that, it seems to support the immune system, the central nervous system, the liver and the cardiovascular system.

L-Valine, an essential amino acid, promotes the smooth functioning of the body. It is derived from animal and vegetable proteins like seafood, poultry, meat, cottage cheese, sesame seeds, dry whole lentils and roasted peanuts. It regulates the immune system, assists protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. It also promotes growth of muscles and repair of tissues that get damaged due to stress, disease, surgery or injury. It maintains the body’s nitrogen level and energizes the muscles. L-Valine helps detoxify the body against ammonia and prevents muscle wasting in diabetics. It assists in correcting drug addiction related amino acid deficiencies, gallbladder and liver diseases and is linked with treating neurological conditions and brain damage due to alcohol intake. One should consult a physician before consuming the supplement.