Amino acids are categorized as either essential or what other type?

Amino acids are categorized into two primary groups: essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet. Non-essential amino acids, on the other hand, can be synthesized by the body, meaning that it is not necessary to obtain them directly from food sources.

This classification is important in nutrition and health because it helps individuals understand which amino acids they need to focus on getting from their diet, particularly in cases where an individual may have specific dietary restrictions or increased requirements. The distinction between essential and non-essential amino acids forms the basis for understanding protein metabolism and the role of these compounds in various physiological functions.

While there are other categories of amino acids, such as conditional (which are usually non-essential but may become essential under certain circumstances) and proteinogenic (which refers to those that are used in the synthesis of proteins), the most widely acknowledged and fundamental classification remains the essential and non-essential categories. Hence, non-essential is indeed the correct term to denote amino acids that can be produced by the body.