Why should one care about assuring to get enough protein?

Here are four good reasons:

• It’s a primary component of every cell in your body. In fact, hair and nails are mostly made of several proteins.
• Your body uses it to build new and repair existing tissues.
• You need it to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals.
• Acts as a building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Like carbohydrates and fat, protein comes under the category of “macro-nutrient,” meaning that the daily consumption needs to be relatively large amounts to stay healthy. (Vitamins and minerals, are needed in small quantities, are called “micro-nutrients.”)

The basic building block of Protein is Amino Acid and which is basically divided into two main categories – Essential Amino Acids (EAA) and the other one being Non-Essential Amino Acid.

Benefits of a Protein-Enriched Diet

Consuming high-protein foods has many benefits, including:

• Speeding recovery after exercise
• Reducing muscle loss
• Building lean muscle
• Helping you maintain a healthy weight
• Curbing hunger

Different Forms of Protein

Protein comes from a variety of sources, including meat, milk, fish, soy, and eggs, as well beans, legumes, and nut butters. When proteins are digested, they leave behind amino acids, which the human body needs to break down food.

Whey, a high quality protein source naturally found in milk, is a complete protein and contains all of the amino acids your body needs.  In general, proteins derived from animal sources (i.e. milk, eggs & meat) are complete, but your body’s ability to use the protein varies.