Protein! What is it? Why do we need it? How much do I need? Where do I get it from? All of these questions are relevant and often get mixed up in the cacophony of terrible information we receive via various media outlets. Let's try and answer these questions together!
Firstly, proteins are the body's building blocks. Whenever we are in a state of growth or repair, protein should be there! It helps us to grow new body tissue, plays a role in maintaining the function of various hormones, enzymes and immunity, balances our body fluids, keeps our liver functioning (to "detox" your body... put down the juices and lemon water), and transports materials in and out of cells. Essentially, proteins do a lot for our body.
With protein playing such a vital role in our general existence you would figure that we need an extreme amount of protein in order to merely survive everyday living! Not necessarily. Your body is very good at regulating itself and putting absorbed nutrients to good use when it receives them. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have provided us with a wonderful website full of all the information you need when it comes to your protein requirements. Click on the following link to find out how much protein you actually need: www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/protein
Now you know how much you need, where do you get it from? As you may have read, proteins are made up of long chain amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. Essentially, they are the building blocks of our building blocks! There are 20 of them in total and nine of them are essential for humans to consume via the diet. We primarily consume our nine essential amino acids via animal based proteins. So for those of you who are eating meat, well done! You are consuming your essential amino acids and maintaining your building blocks building blocks. For those of you who aren't to keen on consuming our furry or feathered friends and want to know where to get your essential amino acids from; look no further than soy, quinoa, and amaranth! These three protein machines are the exception to the rule when it comes to animal based foods being the bees knees of protein sine qua non. Legumes and grains respectively cover the essential amino acids together however, if you're consuming one of the other, you may find yourself falling a little flat when in a state of growth or repair.
So there we go! Protein! You need it... eat it... but not too much of it because you will just piss it out or it will get stored as fat!
