Notes for B1.2.3 Dietary requirements for amino acids - IB | RevisionDojo
B1.2.3 Dietary requirements for amino acids Notes
Note
Your body uses 20 different amino acids to create proteins, but it doesn't treat them all equally.
These amino acids are divided into two categories: essential and non-essential.
Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids are like specialized tools your body cannot make on its own.
They must be obtained from your diet because the metabolic pathways needed to synthesize them are absent.
Without these amino acids, your body cannot produce certain proteins, which can lead to health issues such as muscle wasting, weakened immunity, or delayed growth in children.
Example
There are nine essential amino acids for humans
Examples: Lysine, Methionine, (specific names not required for this syllabus)
Non-Essential Amino Acids
Non-essential amino acids are like multipurpose tools that your body can create from other amino acids or molecules.
For instance, tyrosine, a non-essential amino acid, can be synthesized from the essential amino acid phenylalanine.
This adaptability means that even if your diet lacks certain non-essential amino acids, your body can usually compensate.
Tip
Amino acids are not stored in the body like fats or carbohydrates.
This means it's important to consume essential amino acids regularly through your diet.
Example
If your diet provides phenylalanine (an essential amino acid), your body can convert it into tyrosine.
However, if phenylalanine is missing, tyrosine becomes "conditionally essential," meaning it must now come from your diet.
The Role of Amino Acids in Diet
Why Balance Matters
Proteins in your diet are broken down into amino acids during digestion.
Amino acids are absorbed into your bloodstream and used to build the proteins your body needs.
Amino acid profile of the food you eat determines how effectively your body can meet its protein requirements.
Animal-Based Foods
Complete Proteins: Contain all nine essential amino acids in proportions similar to what the human body needs.
Examples: Meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Plant-Based Foods
Incomplete Proteins: Lack one or more essential amino acids.
Cereals (e.g., wheat): Low in lysine.
Legumes (e.g., beans and peas): Low in methionine.
Tip
Combining different plant foods can provide a complete amino acid profile.
Common Mistake
A common misunderstanding is that eating any protein-rich food will automatically meet all your amino acid needs.
In fact, even a high-protein diet can result in deficiencies if it lacks certain essential amino acids.
Challenges for Vegan Diets
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Questions
Recap questions
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Question 1
Recap question
Under which condition does a non-essential amino acid become "conditionally essential"?
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Note
Essential Amino Acids
Essential amino acids are those that our bodies cannot produce, so we must obtain them from our diet.
There are nine essential amino acids for humans.
Without these, our bodies can't make certain proteins, leading to health issues.
ExampleExamples of essential amino acids include lysine, methionine, and tryptophan.
NoteChildren and infants have slightly different essential amino acid requirements compared to adults.
