Protein...It's Not Just for Building MusclesWe all need them
- Let's Build Some Blocks
- The urge to indulge in a big, juicy well-marbled steak hits just about everyone from time to time, and for good reason. Protein is one of your body’s basic building blocks, and is vital to the health of the human body. Unfortunately, a grilled porterhouse every night is not on the menu for healthy eating. But once a week feel free to dive in and wield that steak knife with abandon. It seems logical that the human animal needs the protein of other animal products in order to get these vital building blocks. Animal protein sources contain all 22 amino acids that your body uses so it is easier to fulfill your protein requirements with balanced consumption of lean animal products. What do these proteins do for your body besides giving you the urge to spark up the barbeque?
- Protein Facts:
• Protein is the key component in tissue repair. Whether that is post paper cut or
post major surgery, your body needs them to heal
• Protein is necessary for growth and especially for children, teens and pregnant
women
• Along with fats, proteins are a key contributor to immune function, maintaining
the proper balance of the different immune components in your body
• They are essential in the production of hormones and the enzymes that your
body uses for everything from breaking down lactose to building up tissue
• Protein consumption preserves your own lean muscle mass
• Animal sources of protein contain all amino acids, both essential and
non-essential for efficient fulfillment of protein requirements
- Protein for Growth & Strength
- All growth requires protein so if you are expecting a child or you just want that long luscious hair make sure that you are getting the proper amount of protein. Your requirements for protein increase significantly if you are very physically active or if you are growing or pregnant.
- Proteins are a major factor in maintaining a strong immune system. Your ability to ward off disease is affected by the amount of protein in your diet. The production of the enzymes that perform as little construction workers within your body is directly based on protein consumption because protein is the only source of nitrogen the body is able to absorb. Your body can’t take the abundant nitrogen from the surrounding air like bacteria can.
Why Animal Proteins are Beneficial
Although many classic combinations of vegetable and cereal grains can contribute all of the amino acids to the diet that are necessary for proper bodily function, animal sources are much more efficient. Mainly, this is because the essential amino acids that the body must consume from food sources exist already in animal proteins. The body doesn’t have to expend the cellular energy to break molecules down and rebuild new molecules. So when you have decided to have a Friday night steak after Thursday night salmon and Wednesday night grilled chicken, you are just efficiently reinforcing your immune system and enabling your muscular function to be maximized.