About the author

Jessica Clifton

Executive Director

Jessica is Executive Director at ReAgent and leads a variety of growth projects. She has an extensive background in marketing, and has worked in the chemical industry since 2019. Outside of work, Jessica can be found on a run, building LEGO, or watching Star Wars.
Best

What is Protein?

Proteins are biological macromolecules composed of amino acid chains. They have physiological and structural functions in the body, and exist in a wide variety of forms, such as enzymes, hormones, blood, antibodies, muscles, and skin.  They also function as transporting

Multiple amino acid structures wrtten on blackboard||Amino acid structure||Chemical formulas of fat soluble vitamins||Two litsts of water soluble and fat soluble vitamins||Protein-Amino-Acid-Structure

Vitamins and Amino Acids Explained

Both vitamins and amino acids are important nutrients in the human body, performing various crucial functions. Vitamins are considered micronutrients and mainly function as cofactors and coenzymes in different metabolic processes, such as regulating protein synthesis. Meanwhile, amino acids are

3D illustration of amino acid||Diagram showing the generalised structure of amino acids||Diagram of how proteins are assembled in ribosomes||Amino-Acid-Chart||Protein-Synthesis

What is the Relationship Between Amino Acids and Proteins?

Amino acids and proteins have an integral relationship. Amino acids are traditionally defined as the fundamental building blocks of proteins, forming peptide bonds to build various types of them.  This linear structure is called the primary structure of proteins, and

Person holding a blue rectangle with the words 'amino acids' printed on it||Diagram of protein structure||Diagram of amino acid structure||Protein-Structure||Amino-Acid-Structure||Supplements spilling from a bottle on a table with two spoons of protein powder in the foreground||Educational chart with all the common amino acids represented with color coded side chains

What Are Amino Acids?

Amino acids are organic or carbon-based compounds that have two functional groups: an amino group and a carboxylate group.  The amino group is slightly basic, while the carboxylate group is acidic. See the illustration below for an example. The R

Various fruits and veg in heart shaped bowls on table||Infographic of food pyramid||Food Pyramid||Infographic showing which areas of the body need which vitamins and minerals and where to find them||Infographic of food pyramid

What Are the Different Types of Sugar?

Sugars are a type of carbohydrate, which means they contain carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. They’re soluble in water and, of course, sweet-tasting. Various types of sugar are found in our daily diet, from the table sugar we use in our

Various fruits and veg in heart shaped bowls on table||Infographic of food pyramid||Food Pyramid||Infographic showing which areas of the body need which vitamins and minerals and where to find them||Infographic of food pyramid

Why Are Vitamins and Minerals Important in Our Diet?

We need vitamins and minerals for various purposes. They are essential micronutrients that act as coenzymes, cofactors, macromolecule components, electrolytes, and structural components of tissues such as bones. Micronutrients help control the breakdown of nutrients and the precise release of

Circle of different minerals and their food sources||Diagram explaining how minerals act as cofactors in the body||Graphic showing different minerals needed by the body

What Do Minerals Do For the Body?

Minerals are inorganic substances that are typically found in food. They’re mainly used by the body as cofactors and as electrolytes. Some have an important role in maintaining our bones and teeth, while others are essential in carrying vital substances

Macro view of colour balls with mineral elements written on them||Top down view of various wooden bowls of fruit||Line-up of 12 essential minerals represented by colour balls with element name

What Are Minerals?

Minerals are micronutrients that are found in small amounts in dietary sources, particularly fruits and vegetables. They have a wide range of functions, acting as electrolytes, inorganic cofactors of enzymes, and as materials to support healthy bones and teeth, hormone