Protein Essential to Your Life

Protein is an essential necessitate every cell in the body. Your hair, nails, and muscles are mostly made of different proteins. Our body uses protein to build and repair all parts of our bodies on a daily basis, and is the building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and red blood cells in our bodies.

Protein is considered a macronutrient. The definition of a macronutrient is Nutrients that the body uses in relatively large amounts - proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This is as opposed to micronutrients, which the body requires in smaller amounts, such as vitamins and minerals.

Fat and carbohydrates are stored in the body cells for latter use, the body does not store protein, and uses your muscle tissue as a reservoir when inadequate protein is available in your blood to supply the necessary body functions. Your body uses protein to make hemoglobin ( hee-muh-glow-bin), the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to every part of your body including your heart.

An important fact protein is doing important work like moving your legs, moving your lungs, and running your immune system to help protect the body from diseases.

The body breaks protein down intoAmino Acids When you eat foods that contain protein, the digestive juices in your stomach and intestine go to work. They break down the protein in food into basic units, called amino acids that are used to make the proteins your body needs to maintain muscles, bones, blood, and body organs.

There are 22 different Amino Acids important to human health 13 are considered nonessential due to the body produces them naturally, but 9 that are considered essential amino acids because these have to come from food or protein supplements as the body does not produce these amino acids and are required for our bodies functions. There are many ways to get protein but only a few to get a complete amino profile. Animal sources, such as meat and milk, is called complete, because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids as vegetable protein is considered incomplete because it lacks one or more of the essential amino acids. Protein Supplements such as Whey, Egg, or Casein contain a complete profile of amino acids and is an easy and convent way to add extra protein to your diet.

Vegetarians and people that have had a Gastric Bypass need to be especially careful and learn what combinations of foods contain a complete profile to get all their essential amino acids.
Today getting enough protein is much easier with the use of powdered protein supplements or liquid amino acids available on the market today.

Adequate protein intake in Children are especially important to help their bodies develop and grow. A good average for a Childs protein intake on a daily basis is about 0.5 grams of protein for every pound they weigh. With the growing trend of fast foods and over consumption of junk foods most children do not come close to this. This leads to immune problems (sickly children) low body weight and growth. Some really good high protein recipes can be found here.