essential amino acid

noun

Definition of essential amino acid

: any of various amino acids that are required for normal health and growth in many vertebrates, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine — compare nonessential amino acid

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The other 11 are nonessential because the body is able to synthesize them out of the essential amino acids or the normal process of breaking down proteins, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here's What Actually Happens in Your Body When You Eat Protein," 20 June 2019 First of all, most plant proteins are lacking in just one or two essential amino acids, Gardner points out. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Does It Make a Difference if You Get Your Protein from Plants or Animals?," 28 Aug. 2019 When a protein source contains an adequate supply of all nine essential amino acids, it’s dubbed with the honorific title of complete protein. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Does It Make a Difference if You Get Your Protein from Plants or Animals?," 28 Aug. 2019 Creatine is a non-essential amino acid, which means that our bodies have the ability to manufacture it from other amino acids. — Nutrition Diva Monica Reinagel, Scientific American, "Is a Vegetarian Diet Bad for Your Brain?," 2 Aug. 2019 Alex also recommends maintaining the color and glow with good conditioners plus treatments and masks every so often, like the company’s London Beer Mask, which has essential amino acids and proteins to strengthen the hair. — Sara Radin, Teen Vogue, "Dyeing Your Hair Two Different Colors Is The New Trend We Can’t Get Enough Of," 24 July 2019 Tremblaya helps to supply the mealybug with essential amino acids and likely receives nutrients and other life-sustaining molecules in return. — Quanta Magazine, "Tiny Genomes May Offer Clues to First Plants and Animals," 20 June 2013 When a protein is missing or pretty low in any of those essential amino acids, it’s considered incomplete. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here's What Actually Happens in Your Body When You Eat Protein," 20 June 2019 Technically a legume, soybeans are one of the only common plant foods that contain complete protein—meaning all nine essential amino acids. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "6 Healthiest Beans You Can Eat," 15 Aug. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'essential amino acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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15 Oct 2019

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More Definitions for essential amino acid

essential amino acid

noun

Medical Definition of essential amino acid

: any of various alpha-amino acids that are required for normal health and growth, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and in humans include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine