Amino acids are the functional building blocks of proteins. Most proteins are formed from a combination of 21 amino acids (actually 19 amino acids and 2 amides – asparagine and glutamine), which can all be synthesized by higher plants. Conversely, the animal kingdom, from protozoa to mammals, is dependent on nine of the amino acids being supplied from exogenous sources.

These are the ‘essential’ amino acids. The other amino acids, which can be eliminated from the diet without impairing growth or health status, are called ‘non-essential’.
Finally, there are amino acids which are ‘conditionally essential’ under conditions where synthesis becomes limited or when adequate amounts of precursors are unavailable to meet the needs of the body.

Whilst there is still some debate about which amino acids are conditional, the main candidates are shown below, together with the overall current status of essentiality of amino acids.
Most of the requirement for amino acids comes from dietary intake, and providing that the protein intake is sufficiently high and of sufficient quality, then the major component for the satisfactory provision of amino acids is catered for.

The Pharmax range of products is based on those amino acids where individual supplementation has been shown to be of specific benefit over and above dietary intake.
Often this coincides with clinical/physiological circumstances such as the stage of physiological development (e.g. infancy), physical activity status or illness.

The Essentiality of Amino Acids in Human Nutrition