MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Aspartic acid

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Aspartic acid

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Alternative Names	Definition

Alternative Names

Asparaginic acid

Definition Return to top

Aspartic acid, also called asparaginic acid, is one of the nonessential amino acids. "Nonessential" means that our bodies produce it even if we don't get this amino acid from the food we eat.

Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins. Proteins have many functions in our bodies. Enzymes are a type of protein.

Aspartic acid is found primarily in sugar cane and molasses.

Update Date: 1/17/2007

Updated by: William McGee, M.D., M.H.A., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Chairman, Nutrition Committee, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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