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NON ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
The 12 Non-Essential Amino Acids:
1. L-Alanine:
Purpose
L-Alanine is a source of energy for the muscle tissue, brain and the central nervous
system (CNS). It may help to strengthen the immune system by producing
antibodies. It may also help to improve the metabolism of sugars and organic
acids.
Natural Sources of L-Alanine
L-Alanine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, Beef, Seafood, Fish, Poultry, Eggs
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
2. L-Asparagine:
Purpose
L-Asparagine is used by the nervous system to help maintain equilibrium. It is
need in the liver to help re-combine the other amino acids. It is closely related to
aspartic acid.
Natural Sources of L-Asparagine
L-Asparagine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, Beef, Poultry, Eggs, Fish, Seafood
Vegetable: Asparagus, Potatoes, Legumes, Nuts, Seeds, Whole Grains
3. L-Aspartate or L-Aspartic Acid:
Purpose
L-Aspartate acts as a neurotransmitter. It is also important in maintaining a proper
blood PH balance.
Natural Sources of L-Aspartate
L-Aspartate can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, beef, poultry
Vegetable: Sprouting Seeds
4. L-Cysteine:
Purpose
L-Cysteine is needed for the production of Taurine. It aids your skin. It aids in the
detoxification for you body. It is thought to be useful for hair and nails.
Natural Sources of L-Cysteine
L-Cysteine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Poultry, Eggs
Vegetable: Wheat, Broccoli, Red and Green Peppers
5. L-Glutamate or L-Glutamic Acid:
Purpose
L-Glutamate is needed for cellular metabolism. It is used in the removal of
excessive nitrogen. It also works as a neurotransmitter.
Natural Sources of L-Glutamate
L-Glutamate can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Poultry, Fish, Eggs
Vegetable: Seaweed, Tomatoes, Mushrooms
6. L-Glutamine:
Purpose
L-Glutamine aids in cleansing the body of harmful waste. It also aids the immune
system. It is needed by both the brain and immune system.
Natural Sources of L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Beef, Pork, Poultry, Dairy
Vegetable: Spinach, Cabbage
7. Glycine:
Purpose
Glycine is useful as a Neurotransmitter. It may also be useful in aiding in the
uptake of calcium.
Natural Sources of Glycine
Glycine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Fish, Dairy
Vegetable: Beans
8. L-Hydroxylysine:
Purpose
L-Hydroxylysine improves joints, cartilage, tendons and helps skin.
Natural Sources of L-Hydroxylysine
L-Hydroxylysine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
9. L-Hydroxyproline:
Purpose
L-Hydroxyproline is used by the circulatory system. It helps reduce bruising.
Natural Sources of L-Hydroxyproline
L-Hydroxyproline can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
10. L-Proline:
Purpose
L-Proline is needed for joints and artery support.
Natural Sources of L-Proline
L-Proline can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Eggs, Meat, Dairy Products
Vegetable: Corn, Potato, Broccoli
11. L-Serine:
Purpose
L-Serine is needed for the metabolism of fats. It is also needed for proper muscle
development and a healthy immune system.
Natural Sources of L-Serine
L-Serine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Whole Grains, Peanuts
12. Taurine (cats/dogs):
Purpose
Taurine was once only thought to be needed by cats is now shown to be needed
for cardiovascular health in dogs. Dogs are showing signs of dilated
cardiomyopathy. Large breeds are thought to be more susceptible than small
breeds at this time.(NOTE: Some breeds are showing problems in making this
amino acid themselves so some dog food manufactures are adding this as an
essential amino acid.) .
Natural Sources of Taurine
Taurine can be found in mainly animal sources:
Animal: Meat, Milk, Eggs, Fish
Vegetable: Brewer’s yeast,
1. http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/contrast.html
2. http://dogappetit.com/aminoacids.htm
3. http://www.ranvet.com.au/amino_acids.htm
4. http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_nutrition_protein.html
5. http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/home/health.html
6. http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/protein.html
7. The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition, By Donald R. Collin, DVM
(1989).
8. http://www.freshpetfood.ca/tips.htm
9. Canine Nutrition & Breed Specific Diets: The Best Diet For A
Chihuahua, By William D Cusick (1997).
10. Understanding Nutrition, By Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes
(2005).
1. L-Alanine:
Purpose
L-Alanine is a source of energy for the muscle tissue, brain and the central nervous
system (CNS). It may help to strengthen the immune system by producing
antibodies. It may also help to improve the metabolism of sugars and organic
acids.
Natural Sources of L-Alanine
L-Alanine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, Beef, Seafood, Fish, Poultry, Eggs
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
2. L-Asparagine:
Purpose
L-Asparagine is used by the nervous system to help maintain equilibrium. It is
need in the liver to help re-combine the other amino acids. It is closely related to
aspartic acid.
Natural Sources of L-Asparagine
L-Asparagine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, Beef, Poultry, Eggs, Fish, Seafood
Vegetable: Asparagus, Potatoes, Legumes, Nuts, Seeds, Whole Grains
3. L-Aspartate or L-Aspartic Acid:
Purpose
L-Aspartate acts as a neurotransmitter. It is also important in maintaining a proper
blood PH balance.
Natural Sources of L-Aspartate
L-Aspartate can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Dairy, beef, poultry
Vegetable: Sprouting Seeds
4. L-Cysteine:
Purpose
L-Cysteine is needed for the production of Taurine. It aids your skin. It aids in the
detoxification for you body. It is thought to be useful for hair and nails.
Natural Sources of L-Cysteine
L-Cysteine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Poultry, Eggs
Vegetable: Wheat, Broccoli, Red and Green Peppers
5. L-Glutamate or L-Glutamic Acid:
Purpose
L-Glutamate is needed for cellular metabolism. It is used in the removal of
excessive nitrogen. It also works as a neurotransmitter.
Natural Sources of L-Glutamate
L-Glutamate can be found in both animal and vegetable sources.
Animal: Poultry, Fish, Eggs
Vegetable: Seaweed, Tomatoes, Mushrooms
6. L-Glutamine:
Purpose
L-Glutamine aids in cleansing the body of harmful waste. It also aids the immune
system. It is needed by both the brain and immune system.
Natural Sources of L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Beef, Pork, Poultry, Dairy
Vegetable: Spinach, Cabbage
7. Glycine:
Purpose
Glycine is useful as a Neurotransmitter. It may also be useful in aiding in the
uptake of calcium.
Natural Sources of Glycine
Glycine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Fish, Dairy
Vegetable: Beans
8. L-Hydroxylysine:
Purpose
L-Hydroxylysine improves joints, cartilage, tendons and helps skin.
Natural Sources of L-Hydroxylysine
L-Hydroxylysine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
9. L-Hydroxyproline:
Purpose
L-Hydroxyproline is used by the circulatory system. It helps reduce bruising.
Natural Sources of L-Hydroxyproline
L-Hydroxyproline can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Nuts, Whole Grains
10. L-Proline:
Purpose
L-Proline is needed for joints and artery support.
Natural Sources of L-Proline
L-Proline can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Eggs, Meat, Dairy Products
Vegetable: Corn, Potato, Broccoli
11. L-Serine:
Purpose
L-Serine is needed for the metabolism of fats. It is also needed for proper muscle
development and a healthy immune system.
Natural Sources of L-Serine
L-Serine can be found in both animal and vegetable sources:
Animal: Meat, Dairy
Vegetable: Whole Grains, Peanuts
12. Taurine (cats/dogs):
Purpose
Taurine was once only thought to be needed by cats is now shown to be needed
for cardiovascular health in dogs. Dogs are showing signs of dilated
cardiomyopathy. Large breeds are thought to be more susceptible than small
breeds at this time.(NOTE: Some breeds are showing problems in making this
amino acid themselves so some dog food manufactures are adding this as an
essential amino acid.) .
Natural Sources of Taurine
Taurine can be found in mainly animal sources:
Animal: Meat, Milk, Eggs, Fish
Vegetable: Brewer’s yeast,
1. http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/contrast.html
2. http://dogappetit.com/aminoacids.htm
3. http://www.ranvet.com.au/amino_acids.htm
4. http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_nutrition_protein.html
5. http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/home/health.html
6. http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/protein.html
7. The Collins Guide to Dog Nutrition, By Donald R. Collin, DVM
(1989).
8. http://www.freshpetfood.ca/tips.htm
9. Canine Nutrition & Breed Specific Diets: The Best Diet For A
Chihuahua, By William D Cusick (1997).
10. Understanding Nutrition, By Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes
(2005).
ARTICLE RESOURCES FOR NON ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
