There are 3 major groups of nutrients from which the body builds, renews itself and draws its energy to ensure both its basic metabolism and greater intensity efforts. These are carbohydrates, commonly called “sugars”, lipids or “fats” and protein whose functions are essential.

Proteins are made up of chains of elements called amino acids. These amino acids are 21 in number, each of them having a specific name, formula and role. 8 essential amino acids are distinguished from others because they cannot be synthesized by the body and must therefore be provided by thefood. Present on some nutritional labels, it is interesting to know how to spot them: they are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. The diversity and efficiency of proteins thus depend on their amino acid composition and the proportion ofessential amino acids that they can bring to the body.