Non-essential amino acids are amino acids that the body produces. Amino acids bond to each other to create long protein chains. Every cell in the human body depends on these protein chains for survival. There are a total of 12 non-essential amino acids synthesized in the body: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, serine, and tyrosine.
Each of these non-essential amino acids has both benefits and side effects for the body. Alanine removes toxins from the body during excessive physical activity. Too much alanine, however, can cause chronic exhaustion. This amino acid is also found in fish, eggs, and meat.
Arginine is vital to cell division, immune system functioning, healing wounds, and releasing hormones. It also helps activate the growth hormone in the brain and helps maintain a high sperm count. Also, it is found in nuts, brown rice, raisins, and chocolate.
Asparagine helps with the transformation of amino acids and keeps the nervous system balanced. It is found in poultry, eggs, and other dairy foods. Aspartic acid increases stamina, synthesizes glucose, and removes ammonia and toxins from the body. Lower levels of aspartic acid in the body can cause brain damage and problems with the nervous system and liver.
Cysteine helps keep nails, skin, and hair healthy. This amino acid is also found in broccoli, oats, germ, and garlic onions. Glutamic acid maintains strong memory, mental functions, and relieves exhaustion. This acid is also found in dairy foods, poultry, and meat.
Glutamine helps the brain stay healthy and contributes to the formation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Glycine creates nucleic acids and helps the body build proteins. Both are found in beans, fish, and dairy products.
Histidine is one of the non-essential amino acids that is necessary for growth and development in babies; it releases histamines to fight off allergic reactions and synthesizes red and white blood cells. Proline is vital to collagen and maintains healthy joints, tendons, and heart muscles. Both are found in rice, fish, and meat.
Serine builds muscle and plays an important role in DNA and RNA synthesis and protein. It also protects the immune system by producing antibodies when foreign substances attack. Generally, it is found in wheat gluten and peanuts.
Tyrosine helps the thyroid gland to produce the thyroxine hormone. The thyroxine hormone is efficient in burning fat and regulating both metabolic rates and growth rates. It is found in avocados, almonds, and bananas.