Here's a breakdown:
* Our bodies can't make all 20 amino acids. We need to get some of them from our diet. These are called essential amino acids.
* We can synthesize the remaining 11 amino acids. These are called non-essential amino acids.
* Food sources of amino acids:
* Animal sources: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products
* Plant sources: Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, quinoa, tofu, tempeh
How it works:
1. We eat food containing proteins.
2. Our digestive system breaks down these proteins into individual amino acids.
3. These amino acids are absorbed into our bloodstream.
4. Our cells use these amino acids to build new proteins, which are essential for a wide range of functions in our bodies.
It's important to consume a variety of foods to ensure you're getting all the essential amino acids your body needs. This is called complete protein. Many plant-based foods can be combined to create complete protein sources.
