Cystine is the oxidized dimer form of the amino acid cysteine. Cystine serves two biological functions, a site of redox reactions and a mechanical linkage that allows proteins to retain their 3-dimensional structure. It is common in many foods such as eggs, meat, dairy products, and whole grains as well as skin, horns and hair. Human hair and skin contain approximately 10–14% cystine by mass. Cysteine supplements are sometimes marketed as anti-aging products with claims of improved skin elasticity. Cysteine is more easily absorbed by the body than cystine, so most supplements contain cysteine rather than cystine. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is better absorbed than other cysteine or cystine supplements.

Tryptophan is alpha-aminoacid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is essential aminoacid in humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize and it must be obtained from the diet. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, and as such is sold over the counter in many countries as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, anxiolytic and sleep aid, however application of tryptophan in these indications is not approved by FDA.

Alanine is a non-essential aminoacid encoded by GCU, GCC, GCA, and GCG codons. Besides being a building block of proteins, alanine plays a key role in glucose-alanine cycle. Alanine is medically used as a dietary supplement for conditions such as fructose intolerance, muscle atrophy, low birth weight.

Phenylalanine is a biologically essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to tyrosine and the catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and tyramine), and is a constituent of many central nervous system neuropeptides. Normal dietary levels of phenylalanine are approximately 1-2 grams daily. Phenylalanine appears in two forms which are identical mirror images of each other: L-phenylalanine, a nutritional supplement, and D-phenylalanine, an effective painkiller and antidepressant due to its ability to inhibit the breakdown of enkephalins, the brain’s natural pain killers.

Histidine is an essential amino acid. L-histidine is converted to histamine by histidine decarboxylase, a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme. The copper(II)–l-histidine (1:2 complex at physiological pH) has been widely used in the treatment of Menkes disease (a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that leads to early death in the children due to impaired copper metabolism) and more recent use has been reported in the treatment of infantile hypertrophic cardioencephalomyopathy (a condition caused by mutations in SCO2, a cytochrome c oxidase assembly gene). CUSTODIOL HTK (Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate) Solution is indicated for perfusion and flushing of donor kidneys, liver, and heart prior to removal from the donor or immediately after removal from the donor.

Tyrosine (L-form) is a non-essential amino acid, which is primarily required for the protein synthesis. This amino acid is the precursor of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine; therefore the lower concentration of tyrosine could be a peripheral marker of the hyperdopaminergic condition hypothesized to explain psychosis. Tyrosine supplements can improve cognition, increase energy, reduce anxiety, reduce depression, reduce levels of pain.

Methionine is an non-polar, aliphatic, essential α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. High levels of methionine can be found in eggs, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, fish, meats and some other plant seeds; methionine is also found in cereal grains. Most fruits and vegetables contain very little of it. Most legumes are also low in methionine. However, it is the combination of methionine and cystine which is considered for completeness of a protein. There is scientific evidence that restricting methionine consumption can increase lifespans in some animals. However, since methionine is an essential amino acid, it cannot be entirely removed from animals' diets without disease or death occurring over time. For example, rats fed a diet without methionine developed steatohepatitis (fatty liver), anemia and lost two thirds of their body weight over 5 weeks. Administration of methionine ameliorated the pathological consequences of methionine deprivation.