Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body. This means they must come from the food we eat. There are nine essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Our bodies can make the other 11 amino acids, called nonessential amino acids, from other sources. They can be synthesized from glucose, pyruvate, or other amino acids.
Here's a summary:
- Essential amino acids: Must be obtained from food.
- Nonessential amino acids: Can be produced by the body from other sources.
