Alanine

Definition

Alanine is a nonessential amino acid–amino acids being the building blocks of proteins. This amino acid is nonessential because the body can produce it using other, essential, amino acids. Alanine is a very common and versatile amino acid.

Health considerations

Since this amino acid can be produced by modifying existing essential amino acids in the body, consumption of alanine is not technically required, but it is still strongly suggested, so as to allow the essential amino acids to fulfill their other purposes.

May be found in

Eggs, pea, lentil and fava bean protein, soy protein, whitefish, sesame, parmesan, peanuts

References

Self Nutrition Data
Wiki Books

Alternative Spellings and Names

Ala, A