How many essential amino acids must a human obtain from their diet?

The correct number of essential amino acids that a human must obtain from their diet is nine. Essential amino acids are those that the body cannot synthesize on its own and therefore must be consumed through food. These amino acids play a crucial role in various bodily functions, including muscle repair, hormone production, and immune function.

The nine essential amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. It’s important for individuals, especially those who are physically active, to ensure they have a diet that provides all nine to support overall health and optimize performance. While some options listed might include numbers that seem plausible, they do not accurately reflect the recognized total for essential amino acids in human nutrition.