Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein.  The human body builds over 50,000 known proteins and over 15,000 known enzymes from amino acids.  All enzymes, including digestive enzymes, are made from amino acids, sometimes with vitamins acting as coenzymes and sometimes with mineral activators.  Amino acids play a key role in normalizing moods, attention, concentration, aggression, sex drive, and sleep.  When a person eats protein, the body must first break it down into the individual amino acids before it can use them in specific metabolic pathways, or to build enzymes or body proteins.

A lack of free amino acids can be followed by an inability to produce the digestive enzymes that are necessary to break down protein into it's component amino acids.  This fact can lead to a cycle of poor nutrition because your body needs amino acids in order to get amino acids from the food you eat.

There are many types of amino acid supplements on the market and the buyer must beware.  Some "Free form" amino acid products are reduced from a protein source (often milk) and may only have small amounts of free form aminos added to them.  This represents a misleading but inexpensive source, as the person often thinks he is buying a blend of individual free form amino acids.  Frequently, people may have allergies to the source protein used.

They should contains only free form crystalline amino acids.  This type of amino acid is designed to furnish optimal proportions of free amino acids in case of an inadequate diet or digestive disorders and is also hypoallergenic because there are no whole proteins or peptides (small chains of amino acids) present.

The information stated here is not complete and should not be considered a recommendation.  Please consult a qualified physician or nutritionist before beginning amino acid supplementation.