A non-essential amino acid. Non-essential means that although we require it to survive and thrive, we do not require it in the diet. We have to get it from somewhere though! Our metabolism achieves this by producing alanine from other amino acids. Keep in mind that although we can synthesize alanine, we cannot synthesize all amino acids. The amino acids we cannot produce are called essential amino acids. In the laboratory setting, geeks like us refer to alanine by its chemical name, alpha- aminopropanoic acid. Don't attempt to pronounce this word, or your tongue may become knotted. In nature, alanine is found in proteins. High levels of free alanine are also found in the plasma of blood. Alanine, like the other 19 biologically active amino acids, are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for our survial.