Amino Acids Recommendations

Single amino acid supplements from Health Leads, supplied individually as capsules and powders. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, obtained in the diet from protein-rich foods. This range offers them as isolated supplements for those who prefer to take a specific amino acid on its own.

10 products

Frequently asked questions

What are amino acids? Popular
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The body uses them to build and repair tissues, and to make enzymes and other essential compounds. When you eat protein, it is broken down into individual amino acids during digestion.

There are twenty amino acids used in human protein. Nine of these are essential, meaning the body cannot produce them and must obtain them from food. The rest can be made by the body from other sources.
What's the difference between essential and non-essential amino acids?
Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must come from the diet — there are nine of them. Non-essential amino acids can be synthesised by the body from other amino acids and nutrients, so a dietary source is not strictly required.

"Non-essential" does not mean unimportant; it refers only to whether the body can make its own. Both types are used throughout the body.
Do I need amino acid supplements if I eat enough protein?
For most people, a varied diet with adequate protein supplies the full range of amino acids the body needs, and no supplement is necessary. Protein-rich foods — meat, fish, eggs, dairy, pulses, nuts and grains — collectively provide all twenty.

Individual amino acid supplements are generally taken by people who want to take a specific one in isolation for their own reasons, rather than to address a dietary shortfall.
What foods contain the most amino acids?
Complete protein sources — those containing all nine essential amino acids in useful amounts — include meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Soya, quinoa and buckwheat are among the plant foods that are also complete.

Most other plant proteins, such as beans, lentils, nuts and grains, are richer in some amino acids than others. Eating a variety across the day provides the full range, which is why varied plant-based diets can meet amino acid needs without difficulty.
What is NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine)?
N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC, is a form of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine occurs naturally in the body and in protein-rich foods such as poultry, eggs and dairy.

Health Leads supplies NAC at 500mg in vegetarian capsules. There are no authorised health claims for NAC, so we describe what it is rather than making claims for it.
Are these amino acids supplied individually or as a blend?
Each amino acid in this range is supplied on its own, not combined into a blend. This suits people who want to take a single specific amino acid rather than a mixture.

They are available as capsules or as powder depending on the product, so intake can be measured to suit the individual. Suggested use is given on each product label.

Understanding Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. When you eat protein — from meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans or grains — the body breaks it down into individual amino acids and uses them to build and repair its own tissues, enzymes and other structures. There are twenty amino acids used in human protein, of which nine are termed essential, meaning the body cannot make them and they must come from the diet.

Most people meet their amino acid needs from dietary protein without giving it any thought. The amino acids sold as individual supplements are generally taken by people who want to take a specific one in isolation, for their own reasons, rather than to correct a shortfall — a varied diet containing adequate protein supplies the full range.

This range offers single amino acids rather than blends. L-lysine and L-arginine are found in protein-rich foods; taurine occurs naturally in the body and in meat and fish; L-tyrosine is used by the body to make certain other compounds; L-theanine is found in tea; and N-acetyl-cysteine is a form of the amino acid cysteine. Each is supplied on its own, as capsules or powder, so it can be taken individually.

There are no authorised health claims for these amino acids, so we describe what they are and where they are found rather than what they do. If you are considering an individual amino acid supplement, particularly at higher intakes, it is worth researching it for your own situation and speaking to a pharmacist or doctor if you take medication or have an existing condition.