17 June 2025 | Amelia Thornycroft (BMedSci)
Are You Getting the Right Amino Acids on a Vegan Diet?

Are You Getting the Right Amino Acids on a Vegan Diet?

As vegan and plant-based diets grow in popularity, questions about protein quality and nutrient sufficiency become increasingly relevant. A recent article in New Scientist explored whether vegans are getting enough of the essential amino acids—like lysine and leucine—and revealed a surprising finding: many vegans meet daily protein targets but may still fall short on these critical building blocks of health.

Why Amino Acids Matter

Amino acids are the fundamental units of protein, and nine of them are essential, meaning your body can't produce them—you must get them from food. Among these, lysine and leucine are particularly important for:

  • Muscle growth and repair
  • Immune function
  • Hormone and enzyme production
  • Skin and tissue health

Even with adequate overall protein intake, if these key amino acids are lacking, it can affect everything from your energy levels to your recovery after workouts.

How Can You Know If You're Getting Enough?

That’s where we come in.

At i-screen, we offer a comprehensive Amino Acids Check that provides detailed insights into your body’s levels of 20 different amino acids, including all the essential ones. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just want to optimise your performance and wellbeing, this test can help you identify imbalances or deficiencies you may not feel yet—but that could be holding you back.

👉 Check your amino acid levels today

Optimising Amino Acid Intake on a Vegan Diet

If you're plant-based, here are practical tips to optimise amino acid intake:

  • Mix your plant proteins: Combine legumes (beans, lentils) with grains (brown rice, quinoa) to create a complete amino acid profile.
  • Prioritise soy, quinoa, and buckwheat: These are plant-based complete proteins.
  • Eat enough: Under-eating, even on a healthy diet, can lead to deficits.
  • Consider testing: Not all deficiencies show symptoms right away. Periodic testing gives you certainty.

Knowledge is Power

Instead of guessing whether you’re hitting the right nutritional targets, get data-backed answers. The Amino Acids Check is a simple, accurate test that can help you tailor your nutrition strategy with confidence.

  • Take control of your health
  • Optimise your performance
  • Feel better, longer

👉 Learn more and order your test here

Try i-screen's Amino Acids Check
Image of Amelia Thornycroft (BMedSci)
Amelia Thornycroft (BMedSci)
Amelia is passionate about Australia's preventive health agenda having worked with some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Amelia moved to Perth 10 years ago where she founded i-screen to democratise pathology and open access to the health data that really matters.
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