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Amino Acid Essentials

Amino Acid Essentials Articles

Amino acids are the building blocks your body uses to make proteins, which do nearly everything—from building muscle and bone to making enzymes and hormones. Your body can produce some amino acids on its own, but nine of them must come from food; these are called essential amino acids. Understanding which foods contain them, how your body uses them, and whether you need supplements helps you make informed choices about your diet.

The articles here explore what amino acids actually do in your body, which foods provide them, and what the research shows about claims made around amino acid supplements, protein timing, and specific health goals. You'll find information about how amino acid needs vary by age and activity level, and what questions remain open in the science.

Amino Acid Essentials

62 articles

Amino Acid EssentialsWhat 5-Amino-1MQ Does in Your Body and What Research Shows So FarRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat 5-HTP Does and How to Use ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Alpha Arbutin Does and Why People Use It in SkincareRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Alpha-GPC Does in Your Body and What Research ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Amino Acid Supplements Actually Do for Your BodyRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Ankle Weights Do and How They Fit Into Strength TrainingRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat BCAAs Do in Your Body and What the Research Actually ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat BCAAs Do and Whether They're Worth TakingRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat GABA Does in Your Body and Why People Take ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Glucosamine Sulphate Works and What Research Shows About Joint HealthRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Glycine Does in Your Body and Where to Find ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Kegel Exercises Can Improve Sexual Function and SensationRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Lysine Does and Why People Take ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Lifting Weights Changes Your Body and BrainRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Lime May Support Sexual Function and ArousalRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Lysine Does in Your Body and Where the Research StandsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Plums May Support Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Squats Can Improve Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does in Your Body and Where It Comes FromRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Weight Training Does for Your Body and HealthRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Yogurt May Support Sexual Health and PerformanceRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Beta Alanine Does in Your Body and What Research ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Beta Carotene Does in Your Body and Where to Find ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Beta Glucan Is and How Your Body Uses ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Beta-Sitosterol Does in Your Body and What Research ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Blueberries May Support Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat the Research Says About Circumcision and Sexual FunctionRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow GABA Works in Your Body and What Research Shows About Its EffectsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat GABA Supplements Do and What the Research Actually ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Glycine Does in Your Body and Why People Take ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Guarana Affects Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Kegel Exercises Can Improve Sexual Function and SensationRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Carnosine Is and Why People Take ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Cysteine: How This Amino Acid Works in Your BodyRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Leucine Does and How to Get Enough of ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Lysine Does and Why Your Body Needs ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Lysine Does in Your Body and Where the Evidence StandsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Lysine for Weight Loss: What the Research Actually ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Lysine for Women: What It Does and Why It MattersRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Ornithine: How This Amino Acid Works in Your BodyRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Phenylalanine: What It Does and How to Use ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Proline Does and Why Your Body Needs ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L. Reuteri Does in Your Body and What Research ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does and Where to Find ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat L-Threonine Does and Why Your Body Needs ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow L-Tryptophan Works in Your Body and BrainRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsL-Tyrosine: What It Does and How to Use ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Lysine Does and Why Your Body Needs ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Lysine Works in Your Body and What the Research ShowsRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Lysine Does and How to Use It for Cold Sores and Immune SupportRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Is and Why People Take ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Science Actually Shows About Abstinence and TestosteroneRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Oysters May Support Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Prunes May Support Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Tamarind May Support Sexual Function and DesireRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does and Where to Find ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does for Men's Health and PerformanceRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsHow Taurine May Support Sexual Function and ArousalRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does in Your Body and Where to Find ItRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Taurine Does and Why People Take It as a SupplementRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Science Actually Shows About Abstinence and Physical PerformanceRead more →Amino Acid EssentialsWhat Trimethylglycine Does and How to Use ItRead more →