FAQs about Amino Acids What are amino acids? Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are organic compounds that contain an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). There are 20 different amino acids that are commonly found in proteins. Learn more about amino acids How many amino acids cannot be made by the body? Out of the 20 amino acids, 9 are essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be obtained from the diet. Learn more about essential amino acids Why are essential amino acids important? Essential amino acids play…