- Essential amino acids (EAAs) are the nine amino acids your body cannot make and must come from diet or supplementation.
- Food sources vary: animal proteins are complete, most plant foods are not, and many Google results are misleading.
- LLS EAAs come in two forms: 5 g fermented EAA Powder and 300 completely filler-free 1 g tablets.
- EAAs support recovery, muscle maintenance, energy, mood and healthy ageing.
- This FAQ answers the most common real-world questions people ask about EAAs, diet, sleep, mood and supplementation.
Essential amino acids are one of the most searched topics in nutrition, and for good reason. They’re fundamental to muscle repair, energy, hormone production, mood and overall metabolic health. But most people still feel confused about which foods contain all nine essential amino acids, how EAAs work, whether supplements help, and who actually needs them.
Below you’ll find clear answers to the most commonly searched questions on Google, backed by evidence and written in a straightforward, practical way. Whether you’re training hard, eating plant-based, fasting or simply trying to improve recovery, this guide will help you understand exactly how essential amino acids fit into your routine.
A Note from Ben, Founder of Love Life Supplements
I created our EAAs because I was tired of seeing underdosed, artificially coloured formulas that hid behind proprietary blends. I also wanted an option that worked during fasting, early training sessions or long workdays without loading up on sweeteners or fillers.
That’s why we built two formats: our 5 g fermented EAA Powder for clean intra-workout support, and our Essential Aminos Tablets — 300 tablets per tub, 1 g each, and completely filler free. No magnesium stearate, no silicon dioxide, nothing unnecessary.
I use both daily depending on my training and fasting schedule, and I’m proud they meet the standards I set for myself long before I started formulating supplements.
Train well, stay consistent,
Ben Law
Founder, Love Life Supplements
A. Core Essential Amino Acids FAQs
What are the essential amino acids?
The nine essential amino acids your body cannot make are leucine, lysine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, histidine and tryptophan. These must be consumed through diet or supplementation.
Are there 9 or 11 essential amino acids?
There are nine essential amino acids. Two additional amino acids — cysteine and tyrosine — are considered conditionally essential because your body can make them, but only if you consume enough methionine and phenylalanine respectively.
Do you need all 9 essential amino acids?
Yes. All nine are required for muscle protein synthesis, tissue repair, neurotransmitter production, immune function and hundreds of metabolic processes.
What happens when you lack essential amino acids?
Lacking EAAs can lead to poor recovery, muscle loss, fatigue, brittle hair/nails, weakened immunity and worsened mood or focus, depending on which amino acids are insufficient.
B. Food & Diet FAQs
Which food has all 9 essential amino acids?
Animal proteins such as meat, eggs, fish and dairy contain all nine essential amino acids. The top complete protein sources include chicken, salmon, eggs and whey.
Do eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids?
Yes. Eggs are a complete protein with all nine EAAs in balanced proportions. This applies to whole eggs and egg whites.
Does chicken have all 9 essential amino acids?
Yes. Like most animal proteins, chicken contains all essential amino acids.
What fruit has all 9 amino acids?
No fruit contains all nine essential amino acids in meaningful quantities. Fruits may contain traces of amino acids but not enough to qualify as complete proteins.
Does avocado have all 9 amino acids?
Avocado contains some essential amino acids but is not a complete protein source.
What nuts have all 9 essential amino acids?
No nuts contain all nine essential amino acids in the ratios needed to be considered complete proteins.
Which nuts contain all essential amino acids?
Again, none. Nut proteins are incomplete and usually low in lysine.
Does hummus provide all 9 essential amino acids?
Hummus alone is not a complete protein. However, when paired with whole grains (such as pita), the combination forms a complete protein.
Does cheese contain all 9 essential amino acids?
Yes. Cheese is an animal-derived complete protein.
What is the best plant food to obtain all essential amino acids?
The most reliable complete plant protein sources are soy, quinoa and buckwheat.
Do rice and beans make a complete protein?
Yes. Rice is low in lysine but high in methionine; beans are the opposite. Together they form a complete protein.
Do oatmeal and peanut butter make a complete protein?
No. Both are incomplete and even combined do not create a fully complete amino acid profile.
Do potatoes contain all 9 essential amino acids?
Potatoes contain small amounts of all EAAs but the protein quantity is too low to classify them as a meaningful complete protein source.
What amino acid is missing in oats?
Oats are low in lysine, which makes them an incomplete protein.
Do beans and potatoes make a complete protein?
No. Despite containing complementary amino acids, they still fall short of complete status.
How to get EAAs naturally?
You can obtain essential amino acids from complete proteins (meat, eggs, fish, soy, quinoa) or by combining complementary plant proteins such as rice and beans.
C. Deficiency, Symptoms & Health FAQs
What are the symptoms of amino acid deficiency?
Common symptoms include muscle loss, weakness, low energy, slow recovery, brittle hair or nails, poor sleep, cravings and mood imbalances.
How much protein do you need a day?
Most people do well with 1.2–2.0 g protein per kg bodyweight daily, depending on training volume, age and goals. EAAs can help when protein intake is inconsistent.
Are essential amino acids good for you?
Yes. EAAs support muscle repair, energy, immunity, neurotransmitter balance, healthy ageing, recovery and training output.
Can you get too many amino acids?
It’s rare. The body regulates amino acid oxidation efficiently. Excessive intake from whole foods or supplements is unlikely to be harmful in healthy individuals.
How do amino acids affect the brain?
Several EAAs act as precursors for neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. They influence mood, focus and cognitive performance.
How do amino acids affect mood?
Amino acids support neurotransmitter production. Low levels of tryptophan or phenylalanine can impact serotonin and dopamine pathways, influencing motivation and mood stability.
How do amino acids affect sleep?
Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, both essential for regulating sleep-wake cycles and promoting restful sleep.
What is lysine good for?
Lysine supports collagen formation, immune function, tissue repair and calcium absorption. It also plays a role in anxiety regulation via its impact on serotonin receptors.
What foods are high in lysine?
High-lysine foods include chicken, fish, cheese, beans, lentils and pumpkin seeds.
What are the best amino acids for seniors?
EAAs, especially leucine-rich blends, help counter age-related reductions in muscle protein synthesis. Small, frequent doses — like 1 g tablets — are ideal.
Do EAAs count as protein?
No. EAAs contain no calories and do not contribute to daily protein totals. However, they stimulate muscle protein synthesis and support recovery in ways similar to high-quality protein.
D. Supplement-Specific FAQs
Is there a supplement with all 9 essential amino acids?
Yes. Love Life Supplements offers two complete options:
- Essential Aminos Tablets (300 tablets, filler free)
- EAA Powder (5 g fermented EAAs per serving)
What are the best amino acids to take?
EAAs are superior to BCAAs because they include all nine amino acids required for muscle protein synthesis. BCAAs alone cannot fully stimulate repair or recovery.
E. Why Choose LLS EAAs?
Both products provide fermented, vegan-friendly amino acids and complete transparency. The tablets are 100% filler free, while the powder offers a full 5 g EAA serving in clean, refreshing flavours. All formulas are manufactured in the UK under GMP and BRC certification and third-party tested for purity.
Recommended Stack
Related Reading
Fuel Your Recovery with Clean, Effective EAAs
👉 Shop Essential Aminos Tablets (300 tablets, filler free) — Buy Now
👉 Shop EAA Powder (360g, filler free) — Buy Now
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He is a qualified Advanced Dietary Supplement Advisor with over a decade of experience formulating transparent, research-led supplements manufactured under strict UK GMP and BRC standards. Learn more about Ben.