Amino Acids are the ‘building blocks’ which combine to form the proteins needed by the body for tissue growth and repair. There are 8 Amino Acids (9 in children and some older people) which must be consumed in our diet. They are known as essential Amino Acids. From these, other Amino Acids, referred to as non-essential, can be synthesised in the body. Sources of protein which contain all 8 essential Amino Acids are known as complete proteins.