Every day, we talk about protein, vitamins, and minerals in one way or another. But most of us aren't aware that amino acids give our bodies energy. They are the building blocks that help both children and adults live healthy lives.
Amino acids are more than parts of protein. They help children grow, learn, and stay healthy. Without them, your child’s growth will slow down, and their energy will decrease. They may also find it hard to focus on their studies. At times, their mood can also take a hit due to low levels of aminos in their bodies.
How Do Amino Acids Build Strong, Healthy Bodies?
Amino acids are the basic components that help your child’s body grow, heal, and stay healthy. They help build strong bones, healthy skin, and active muscles. They also strengthen your child’s immune system to keep them happy and healthy.
When children grow, their bodies need more nutrients. These nutrients help them grow strong and healthy. Some nutrients, like BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), help control muscle growth and metabolism. They do this by activating an important process in the body called the mTORC1 pathway.
A steady supply of amino acids helps your child recover faster and fight off infections. It also supports their physical growth and development as they should.
How Can Amino Acids Boost Brain Power and Focus?
The very same amino acids that build strong bodies are also the essential fuel for a sharp and focused mind. Amino acids are the raw materials for neurotransmitters for normal functioning. They are the brain's chemical messengers that regulate mood, memory, learning, and attention.
A few key amino acids that work to power your child's mind:
- Tryptophan → Serotonin: Supports healthy mood balance and a good night’s sleep.
- Tyrosine & Phenylalanine → Dopamine & Norepinephrine: Enhance motivation, alertness, and focus.
- Glutamate → GABA: Helps maintain a state of calm concentration.
When your child gets these brain-boosting nutrients, you can see the difference. They think more and stay more focused. The child also focuses better in the classroom, is happier, and learns better.
Essential vs. Non-Essential Amino Acids: What’s the Difference?
The 20 amino acids that your body needs are classified by whether your body can make them or not.
Knowing this difference is very important. It shows which nutrients your child needs from food to grow, heal, and stay healthy.
- Essential Amino Acids: Nine amino acids are essential because the body can’t make them. They must come from food or supplements. These include important ones like leucine, lysine, tryptophan, and threonine. They help your child grow strong and support brain development.
- Non-essential amino acids: Your body can make these amino acids on its own, so you don’t need to get them from food. Because the body makes enough of them, they’re not as important to get from the diet as the essential nine.
- Conditionally Essential Amino Acids: Some amino acids, like arginine, are “conditionally essential.” This means they are needed more during times like growth spurts or illness. At these times, a child’s body needs more than it can produce to cope with the increased demand.
To help children grow, learn, and stay healthy, they need all nine essential amino acids. These should come from their diet or a good supplement.
Where can kids get enough amino acids?
Amino acids are available in a wide variety of everyday foods. Helping your child get what they need doesn’t require rare or costly foods. It’s all about having balanced and complete meals every day.
Complete Proteins: The best way to get all the essential amino acids is by eating balanced meals. Natural foods like eggs, fish, chicken, and dairy have all nine essential amino acids.
Balanced Plants: Plant foods like beans, lentils, soy, and nuts are great sources of protein. But they often need to be eaten together to provide all the essential amino acids. By eating different plant proteins during the day, like grains and beans, together. Your child can get all the essential amino acids they need.
Targeted Supplements: Not every child is a perfect eater. For children who are picky eaters, vegetarians, or kids on strict diets. A complete amino acid supplement like Awesome Everyday from Awesome Aminos helps fill any nutritional gaps. Make sure to consult a pediatrician before starting any new supplement. It's a simple way to support healthy growth and development.
When a child doesn’t eat consistently, they have trouble getting enough essential amino acids each day. So a clean, complete amino acid supplement can be a valuable tool to safely and reliably bridge the nutritional gap.
What Happens When Amino Acid Levels Drop?
When your child doesn’t get enough essential amino acids, their body can’t work as it should. It doesn’t have the nutrition needed to grow and stay healthy. A deficiency may not always be obvious, but it can appear across several physical and cognitive areas:
Physical Impact
A drop in amino acid levels first hinders growth, repair, and defense.
- Slower Growth or Weight Gain: The body prioritizes survival, often leading to stunted development or a failure to thrive.
- Fatigue and Low Energy: Insufficient supply affects muscle maintenance and energy production. That causes consistent tiredness and low physical stamina.
- Frequent Colds or Infections: Amino acids are vital for making immune cells and antibodies. This results in a weakened immune system and increased illness.
Cognitive and Emotional Impact
As precursors for brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), low amino acid levels directly affect stability:
- Difficulty Focusing or Learning: The body can’t make enough important brain chemicals. This affects your child’s focus and alertness.
- Mood swings or irritability: When brain chemicals like serotonin are unbalanced, they can affect mood. This may make your child feel upset or irritable.
Getting enough amino acids helps build strong immunity and steady energy. It also supports clear thinking, which is important for a child’s success.
FAQs
Do kids really need amino acid supplements?
Supplements like Awesome Everyday help picky eaters or kids with limited diets. They make sure children get the nutrients they need every day.
Are amino acid supplements safe for children?
Yes, they are safe when made by experts under guidelines.
Can amino acids help with focus and learning?
Yes, they improve brain function. Which improves focus, mood balance, and sleep, all important for learning.
When is the best time to take an amino acid supplement?
With breakfast or around midday to help boost energy and concentration.
Why we need to intake Amino Acids
Amino acids aren’t simple nutrients; they’re the main fuel for your child’s growth, focus, and emotional health.
Make sure your child gets all nine essential amino acids. Balanced meals or a clean, trusted supplement like Awesome Everyday Kids & Teens helps. This helps your child grow well, stay focused, and have a strong immune system. Disclaimer: It’s best to consult a pediatrician before starting any new supplement.
When you give your child’s body what it needs, you’re helping them not just for today. You’re also building a strong foundation for a healthier and more capable future.
Reviewed By:
Koohzad Karimi, DO
Board Certified Family Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Master’s in Biomedical Science