After consuming and digestingproteins, your body breaks them down into amino acids.

Amino acids serve many important purposes.

There are 20 amino acids in total.

Woman cutting steak

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Nine of them are essential amino acids, meaning we need to get them from our food.

Nonessential amino acids can be produced by our bodies.

Its also linked to mental health disorders, including depression andanxiety.

However, research on the efficacy of amino acid supplements is limited.

However, other research indicates that BCAA supplements arent effective in improving exercise performance or recovery.

Summary

Amino acids are organic molecules that form proteins when combined.

Last updated January 19, 2023.

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