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- What are non-essential amino acids?
- Important non-essential amino acids facts
- Why non-essential amino acids are important
What are non-essential amino acids?
Non-essential amino acids are able to be synthesised from the essential amino acids (and also from glucose) so are not necessary to be consumed through the diet.
There are 14 non-essential amino acids:
- Alanine
- Aspartic acid
- Carnitine
- Carnosine
- Cysteine
- Cystine
- GABA
- Glutamic acid
- Glutathione
- Glycine
- Ornithine
- Proline
- Serine
- Tyrosine
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Important non-essential amino acids facts
- The non-essential amino acids can be synthesised from the essential amino acids
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Why non-essential amino acids are important
Some of the non-essential amino acids become conditionally essential, which means that at different life stages and due to various illnesses, they become essential.
The non-essential amino acids that often become conditionally essential are:
Last reviewed: 30 September 2007 || Last updated: 14 March 2010
Related Articles
references
- Cynober LA. Metabolic & Therapeutic Aspects of Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition. 2nd Edition, 2003. CRC Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
- Tortora GJ, Derrickson BH. Principles of Anatomy & Physiology. 11th edition, 2005. Wiley Publishing
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
