Protein – The Entrance to a Healthier Life
Protein is essential to human health. Our bodies—hair, muscles, fingernails, and so on—are made up mostly of protein. As suggested by the differences between our muscles and our fingernails, not all proteins are alike. This is because differing combinations of any number of the 20 amino acids may constitute a protein. The importance of protein intake for humans has been known for a very long time. Without it you would lack the building blocks needed for all tissue repair, critical enzymes and hormones you need for all of your metabolic functions, and antibodies that help your body defend against infections.
Proteins are vital to all living processes and undertake a wide range of functions quintessential to sustain life. Thus, proteins are one of the most important nutrients required by your body and must be consumed in adequate quantity and quality in your diet.
Protein and Our Bodies
Most of our bodies’ proteins are structural. The most obvious proteins that most of us would recognize are muscles. Muscle tissue attaches to bone, and when they contract they allow us to move. There is also specialized muscle that controls organ functions such as your heart contractions, digestive movements, and elimination functions. Although bone is predominantly calcium, the mineral is held together with protein. Nerves are mostly fatty compounds, but protein is the framework that holds nerves together. Blood vessels, our organs, and our skin all have structural proteins.
While just about every whole food contains some protein, the soybean deserves special mention for it contains all the essential amino acids and surpasses all other food plants in the amount of protein that it can deliver to the human system. In this regard, it is nearly equal to meat.
It’s important to note that most nutritionists, dieticians, and official sources agree that we need only 2.5%-10% of our calories from protein and ALL vegetables offer us more than that.
Categories of Proteins
Incomplete proteins need to be consumed in much larger quantities than complete proteins in order to get all the amino acids required from foods.
Complete proteins are comprised of practically all of the amino acids essential to your body.
Protein, aside from water, is the most affluently discovered compound within the human body. The role that protein plays in your body is abundantly important to your health and well being; it makes up every tissue and cell. Combined with healthy fats, proteins work hard to keep you healthy and alive.
Proteins are made up of smaller amino acid compounds that construct a large molecule. Your body requires many different forms of amino acids to function, and while your body has the ability to produce half of what’s needed, you need to eat protein in order to get the rest.
Dietary Sources of Protein
Complete Proteins:
- Pork
- Lamb
- Goat
- Bison
- Venison
- Elk
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Duck
- Eggs
- Fish
Vegetarian and Vegan Sources of Incomplete Proteins:
- Tofu
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Legumes
- Fruits
- Seeds
There are other sources of proteins available, however sticking to the ones that aren’t processed with whey like dairy products, is the most beneficial to your health. Proteins are essential to your life. Your body could not function without the vital proteins it needs to operate. Ensure that you are consuming adequate amounts of healthy proteins as often as possible to keep your body healthy.
ShapeWell.com has even more information on the importance of protein. Check out the following articles to continue learning about the many things of protein & other related topics: