Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Twenty amino
acids are needed to build the various proteins used in the
growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Eleven of
these amino acids can be made by the body itself, while the
other nine (called essential amino acids) must come from the
diet. The essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine,
lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan,
and valine. Another amino acid, histidine, is considered
semi-essential because the body does not always require
dietary sources of it. The nonessential amino acids are
arginine, alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine,
glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and
tyrosine. Other amino acids, such as carnitine, are used by
the body in ways other than protein-building and are often
used therapeutically.
The classification of an amino acid
as essential or nonessential does not reflect its
importance, because all 20 amino acids are necessary for
health. Instead, this classification system simply reflects
whether or not the body is capable of manufacturing a
particular amino acid. However, failure to obtain enough of
even 1 of the essential amino acids, results in your body
breaking down your protein stores — muscle and so forth — to
obtain the amino acid that is needed.
Foods of animal origin, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs
and diary products, are the richest dietary sources of the
essential amino acids. Plant sources of protein are often
deficient in one or more essential amino acids. However, MegaOmega™ Organic Sprouted Flax
contains all 20 amino acids including the 9 essential amino
acids. It was previously believed that, in order for
vegetarians to obtain adequate amounts of protein, all of
the essential amino acids had to be “balanced” at each meal.
However, more recent research has indicated that, while
consuming a proper mix of amino acids is important, it is
not necessary to consume them all at the same meal.
Adding MegaOmega™ Organic Sprouted Flax
to your diet will provide you all required the amino acids.
