What it means
The units that proteins are made from. The body uses 20 amino acids. It can make some of them itself, but nine, called essential amino acids, must come from food such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, beans and grains. The body needs them to build and repair muscle and tissue, heal wounds and make enzymes and hormones.
For the nurse
Clients healing from wounds, burns or surgery need more protein. Total parenteral nutrition supplies amino acids directly into a vein.
At a glance
| Spanish | aminoácido |
|---|---|
| Also written | amino acids |
Related terms
carbohydrate
One of the main nutrients in food, made of sugars and starches, that the body uses for energy.
total parenteral nutrition
Complete nutrition given as a liquid straight into a vein instead of through the digestive tract.