Essential Amino Acids |
Histidine |
- Tissue repair
- Red blood cell production
- Histamine synthesis
|
- Meat – ~1.5 g/100g
- Fish – ~1.2 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.3 g/egg
- Tofu – ~0.6 g/100g
- Quinoa – ~0.4 g/100g
|
Excess may cause headaches or mood changes |
Isoleucine |
- Muscle repair
- Energy regulation
- Immune support
|
- Chicken – ~1.2 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.9 g/egg
- Lentils – ~0.7 g/100g
- Almonds – ~0.6 g/28g
- Fish – ~1.1 g/100g
|
Excess may impair mood or coordination |
Leucine |
- Muscle protein synthesis
- Wound healing
- Blood sugar regulation
|
- Beef – ~1.8 g/100g
- Eggs – ~1.1 g/egg
- Soybeans – ~1.5 g/100g
- Salmon – ~1.6 g/100g
- Peanuts – ~1.2 g/28g
|
Excess may interfere with serotonin production |
Lysine |
- Collagen formation
- Calcium absorption
- Hormone production
|
- Parmesan cheese – ~3.0 g/100g
- Chicken – ~2.0 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.9 g/egg
- Fish – ~2.1 g/100g
- Quinoa – ~0.6 g/100g
|
High doses may cause gallstones or diarrhea |
Methionine |
- Detoxification
- Antioxidant precursor
- Hair and nail strength
|
- Eggs – ~0.4 g/egg
- Brazil nuts – ~0.6 g/28g
- Chicken – ~0.9 g/100g
- Fish – ~1.0 g/100g
- Sesame seeds – ~0.8 g/28g
|
Excess may raise homocysteine (heart risk) |
Phenylalanine |
- Neurotransmitter production
- Mood regulation
- Memory and alertness
|
- Beef – ~1.2 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.7 g/egg
- Milk – ~0.3 g/cup
- Tofu – ~0.9 g/100g
- Peanuts – ~0.8 g/28g
|
Contraindicated in PKU (genetic disorder) |
Threonine |
- Collagen & elastin synthesis
- Fat metabolism
- Immune support
|
- Cottage cheese – ~1.1 g/100g
- Chicken – ~1.0 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.6 g/egg
- Lentils – ~0.5 g/100g
- Fish – ~1.2 g/100g
|
Excess may cause liver strain |
Tryptophan |
- Serotonin & melatonin production
- Sleep regulation
- Mood stabilization
|
- Turkey – ~0.3 g/100g
- Oats – ~0.2 g/100g
- Milk – ~0.1 g/cup
- Cheese – ~0.3 g/100g
- Bananas – ~0.01 g/banana
|
Excess may cause drowsiness or serotonin imbalance |
Valine |
- Muscle growth
- Tissue repair
- Energy production
|
- Beef – ~1.2 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.8 g/egg
- Fish – ~1.1 g/100g
- Peas – ~0.6 g/100g
- Tofu – ~0.9 g/100g
|
Excess may reduce serotonin levels |
Non-Essential & Conditionally Essential Amino Acids |
Alanine |
- Energy production
- Glucose metabolism
- Immune support
|
- Eggs – ~0.6 g/egg
- Chicken – ~1.2 g/100g
- Salmon – ~1.1 g/100g
- Tofu – ~0.8 g/100g
- Peanuts – ~0.7 g/28g
|
Generally safe; excess may affect blood sugar |
Arginine |
- Blood vessel dilation
- Wound healing
- Immune function
|
- Turkey – ~1.3 g/100g
- Pumpkin seeds – ~2.5 g/28g
- Peanuts – ~1.9 g/28g
- Spirulina – ~3.0 g/100g
- Chickpeas – ~1.0 g/100g
|
High doses may affect blood pressure |
Asparagine |
- Nerve signaling
- Protein synthesis
- Brain development
|
- Asparagus – ~0.6 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.4 g/egg
- Chicken – ~1.1 g/100g
- Milk – ~0.3 g/cup
- Whole grains – varies
|
Generally safe; excess may affect ammonia levels |
Aspartic Acid |
- Energy production
- Hormone regulation
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
|
- Soy protein – ~4.5 g/100g
- Eggs – ~1.2 g/egg
- Chicken – ~2.0 g/100g
- Peanuts – ~2.5 g/28g
- Fish – ~2.1 g/100g
|
Excess may cause excitotoxicity in sensitive individuals |
Cysteine |
- Antioxidant production (glutathione)
- Skin and hair health
- Detoxification
|
- Eggs – ~0.3 g/egg
- Chicken – ~0.5 g/100g
- Broccoli – ~0.2 g/100g
- Garlic – ~0.2 g/100g
- Whey protein – ~2.0 g/serving
|
High doses may cause gastrointestinal discomfort |
Glutamic Acid |
- Brain function
- Cell metabolism
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
|
- Parmesan cheese – ~6.0 g/100g
- Eggs – ~1.5 g/egg
- Chicken – ~3.0 g/100g
- Tofu – ~2.5 g/100g
- Sunflower seeds – ~2.0 g/28g
|
Excess may cause overstimulation (MSG sensitivity) |
Glutamine |
- Gut health
- Muscle recovery
- Immune support
|
- Beef – ~1.2 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.6 g/egg
- Milk – ~0.3 g/cup
- Spinach – ~0.4 g/100g
- Whey protein – ~4.0 g/serving
|
Excess may affect kidney function in high doses |
Glycine |
- Collagen synthesis
- Sleep support
- Anti-inflammatory effects
|
- Gelatin – ~2.5 g/serving
- Chicken skin – ~1.5 g/100g
- Pork rinds – ~2.0 g/28g
- Bone broth – ~1.0 g/cup
- Eggs – ~0.5 g/egg
|
Generally safe; excess may cause fatigue |
Proline |
- Collagen formation
- Joint and skin health
- Wound healing
|
- Gelatin – ~2.0 g/serving
- Bone broth – ~1.5 g/cup
- Eggs – ~0.6 g/egg
- Chicken – ~1.2 g/100g
- Cheese – ~1.0 g/100g
|
Generally safe; excess may affect kidney function |
Serine |
- Brain development
- Fat metabolism
- Immune response
|
- Eggs – ~0.7 g/egg
- Chicken – ~1.1 g/100g
- Tofu – ~0.9 g/100g
- Milk – ~0.4 g/cup
- Peanuts – ~0.8 g/28g
|
Generally safe; excess may affect neurotransmitter balance |
Tyrosine |
- Dopamine & adrenaline synthesis
- Stress response
- Thyroid hormone production
|
- Cheese – ~1.2 g/100g
- Turkey – ~1.0 g/100g
- Eggs – ~0.8 g/egg
- Fish – ~1.1 g/100g
- Peanuts – ~0.9 g/28g
|
Excess may cause anxiety or overstimulation |
Amino Acids