The Protein Diet

Proteins, the largest component in the body after water, are complex organic compounds. Proteins are a vital nutrient essential to one’s health and are described as essential and nonessential proteins or amino acids. Protein’s basic structure is a chain of amino acids.

Proteins play an important role in the following:

• Storage and transport of other nutrients;
• Catalyze one’s biochemical reactions;
• Controlling one’s growth and differentiation;
• Protecting one’s immune system; and
• Endowing one’s bodies with structural integrity.

Protein is specifically needed by the body for normal growth, wound healing, and the facility to fight infection. People with severe kidney or liver disease often have to limit the amount of protein they consume because their bodies cannot use the protein properly. Further, dangerous waste products can build up in the blood from consuming too much protein.

There are exactly 22 amino acids that coalesce to form different proteins, and 9 of these should come from the foods we consume. Our body then uses these amino acids to build muscles, blood, skin, nails, hair and internal organs. They also help in the replacement and formation of new tissues, transportation of oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulation of the balance of water and acids, and is needed for the creation of antibodies. However, too much of these proteins may not be so good for one. Excessive protein intake, most specifically animal protein, can result in heart disease, stroke, kidney stones and osteoporosis. There are still many misconceptions about how much protein we really need in our diet.

The body can create only 13 of the amino acids -- also known as the nonessential amino acids. They are called non-essential since the body can create them as well as does not require obtaining them from the diet. There are then 9 essential amino acids that are acquired only from food and not made in the body.

If the protein in a food provides enough of the essential amino acids, it is called a complete protein otherwise it is called an incomplete protein since it does not provide all the essential amino acids. All meat and other animal products, such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, and milk products, are sources of complete proteins. Proteins in foods (such as vegetables, fruits and grains) are either low or incomplete proteins because they lack one of the essential amino acids hence, they are considered incomplete proteins. However they can be combined to include all of the essential amino acids and form a complete protein.

Protein in Diet: Recommendations