Why Protein Is Important? When you hear the word “protein”, your first impression might be that it’s something only a bodybuilder or dieter needs. The truth, however, is that it’s a vital nutrient that’s necessary for almost every part of your body. In fact, protein is so essential to your health that your body doesn’t have the capacity to produce it on its own.
As such, you can think of your body as a protein-manufacturing plant, and you as its protein-hungry employees. If you’re reading this, then you’ve most likely realized that your body needs some extra protein in order to function properly. While you might think that you can get all the protein you need from your diet, the reality is that your diet probably doesn’t provide you with enough of everything.
So, what can you do if you want to make sure that you’re getting enough protein on a daily basis? Well, this article will discuss the top 5 reasons why you need protein in your life and what you can do to meet your protein needs.
What is protein?
Protein is made up of amino acids and is, therefore, a key building block of your body. Amino acids can be found in both plants and animals, with animals (meat, fish, etc.) possessing more of them than plants.
The eight essential amino acids are:
- L-Leucine
- L-Isoleucine
- L-Valine
- L-Threonine
- L-Methionine
- L-Phenylalanine
- L-Lysine
- L-Tryptophan
Why is protein so important?
Protein is required for muscle and tissue growth. This is why bodybuilders and athletes alike often focus on protein intake, although it’s important to note that this is only one aspect of protein’s importance to human health. Protein is necessary for proper organ function. Amino acids are essential for building strong muscles and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Protein can help you lose weight. Since it takes more energy to digest protein than it does to digest carbs or fats, your body will tend to burn more calories when you’re busy breaking down protein. Consequently, you’ll naturally burn more calories throughout the day, and thus be more likely to lose weight.
Protein is needed to ensure that your body doesn’t break down muscle mass during times of famine. The human body is very good at adapting to changes in its environment, and one of these adaptations is to break down muscles in order to survive. This isn’t something that can happen overnight, and it takes around three days of fasting for your body to start breaking down muscle. By consuming adequate protein, you can ensure that you’re okay during this period of fasting, and you can also hopefully avoid losing any significant amounts of muscle.
How much protein do you need?
The amount of protein you need depends on a variety of different factors, including your age, sex, weight, and health condition. The general rule of thumb is that you need to consume 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) you weigh.
- If you’re a woman, this number halves to 0.4 grams of protein for every kilogram you weigh.
- If you’re a man, the number remains at 1 gram of protein for every kilogram you weigh.
If you don’t consume the recommended amount of protein each day, you might experience these negative side effects:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased endurance
- Decreased metabolism
- Decreased rate of recovery
- Decreased immunity
What are good sources of protein?
A lot of people believe that protein is only found in animal products, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Protein can be found in a wide variety of plant-based foods, such as:
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Yogurt
So, not only is a protein found in a wide variety of plant-based foods, but it’s also quite easy to obtain on a daily basis.
What are bad sources of protein?
I am sure you can already guess some of the bad sources of protein, but just in case, we added the list below.
Here are some bad sources of protein:
- Candy
- Soda
- Frozen foods
- Chocolate
- Junk foods
- Most pre-packaged snacks
- Sugary drinks
- Fast food
Is there such a thing as too much protein?
As mentioned above, your body doesn’t have the capacity to make protein on its own. This means that consuming more protein than your body requires won’t do anything extra for you. What will happen is that the excess protein will be used as a source of energy or converted into carbohydrates. The only time consuming too much protein might be beneficial is if you’re specifically aiming to bulk up.
The only way to know if you’re getting the correct amount of protein is to have your blood tested by a professional.
Conclusion of Why Protein Is Important
Protein is essential for a healthy body, and it’s important to get enough of it on a daily basis. It’s important to eat protein at every meal, including breakfast. Eating protein at every meal can help you feel fuller for longer, which can be especially important if you’re trying to lose weight.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to getting enough protein in your diet, consider trying out these protein-rich foods. They provide a great source of protein, and they’re also delicious!
While you don’t need to consume a lot of protein in order to survive, it’s certainly a good idea to include it in your daily diet. Your body is what makes you, you. It’s the only thing you have and you deserve the best!