essential amino acid

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

essential amino acid

Etymology: L, essentia, quality

an organic compound not synthesized in the body that is essential for protein synthesis in adults and optimal growth in infants and children. Adults require isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Infants need these amino acids plus arginine and histidine. Cysteine and tyrosine are derived from methionine and phenylalanine, respectively, and are considered semiessential. See also amino acid, nonessential amino acid.

essential amino acid

An amino acid that is required for growth and development but that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food. The essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Synonym: indispensable amino acid

essential amino acid

an AMINO ACID that must be taken in via the diet, as distinct from nonessential amino acids, which can be synthesized by the organism itself, in a process called TRANSAMINATION, using the essential amino acids as a source. In humans there are ten essential amino acids: ARGININE, TRYPTOPHAN, ISOLEUCINE, METHIONINE, THREONINE, LYSINE, LEUCINE, VALINE, HISTIDINE and PHENYLALANINE.

References in periodicals archive ?

birrea, are good sources of protein and essential amino acids.

Composition of amino acids, fatty acids and dietary fibre monomers in kernels of Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea

Table 4 presents the proportions of essential amino acids in a standard protein and in the muscles of different fishes of this study.

NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF SEVEN COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FRESHWATER FISH SPECIES AND THE USE OF CLUSTER ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR THEIR CLASSIFICATION

9710) between whole body essential amino acid profiles of colliroja and Nile tilapia (Fig.

Estimation of the dietary essential amino acid requirements of colliroja Astyanax fasciatus by using the ideal protein concept/Estimacion de los requerimientos dieteticos de aminoacidos esenciales de colliroja, Astyanax fasciatus, basadas en el concepto de proteina ideal corporal

Possibly, the reduction in egg weight has occurred due to the deficiency of some essential amino acids, probably cystine and methionine.

Glutamic acid supplementation on low protein diets for laying hens/Acido glutamico suplementado em dietas de baixa proteina para poedeiras semipesadas

The essential amino acids components of flaxseed has been found as lysine 4.

Biochemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Unleavened Flat Breads Fortified with Healthy Flaxseed

9) The combination of carbohydrates and essential amino acids has demonstrated a beneficial effect on muscle protein synthesis, which was shown to be greater than the summation of their individual effects.

Amino acids, blood sugar balance and muscle protein maintenance

Multiple sources of protein promote protein synthesis after exercise, but only those with essential amino acids elevate synthesis.

Nutrition and muscle protein synthesis: a descriptive review

In fact, the rumen microbes can make essential amino acids from nitrogen sources that are not even in protein form.

Chapter 7 Proteins

It can be used throughout life as a protein source that is extremely low in phenylalanine and balanced for the remaining essential amino acids.

Dietary therapies for medical disorders: finding a way to make them work. (Diet & Nutrition)(Cover Story)

They have become little factories for essential amino acid manufacture," says Baumann.

A More Perfect Union

Animals produce SAM-e from the essential amino acid methionine energy-yielding compound adenosine triphosphate.

GETTING TO KNOW SAM-E; SUPPLEMENT OFFERS A HEALTHY BOOST LIKE NOTHING ELSE

A reduced food intake and prolonged protein deprivation affect essential amino acid profiles and particularly branched-chain amino acid levels, since those amino acids are ingested with food intake.

Plasma amino acid concentrations in elderly patients with protein energy malnutrition