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Amino acid

Amino acids are the chemicals that make up proteins. The human body needs 20 different amino acids to function properly.

Some amino acids are made by the body, while others, called essential amino acids, can be obtained only from foods.

Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Marc S. Micozzi, MD, PhD
- Policy Institute for Integrative Medicine
Last Updated June 27, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 27, 2007
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