Amino acid variability, tradeoffs and optimality in human diet

Optimizing the consumption of amino acids

31 March 2023

Artificial intelligence has been used to design personalized diets that optimize the intake of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins.

Many recommended diets focus on reducing the consumption of certain types of carbohydrates and fats but tend to neglect proteins. However, recent studies have shown that varying the intake of different amino acids can considerably affect both health and disease.

Now, a team led by researchers from SUSTech in Shenzhen, China, has analysed the amino-acid make up of more than 2,300 foods and the consumption of amino acids by more than 30,000 people. This analysis revealed that the consumption of amino acids varies as much as fats and carbohydrates.

By comparing associations between the intake of different amino acids and various health conditions, the team devised guidelines for their consumption. They then used machine learning to come up with personalized diets that optimize the intake of amino acids.

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References

1. Nature Communications 13, 6683 (2022). doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-34486-0