Protein

One of three main categories of basic nutrients (the others are carbohydrates and fat) that are used by our cells for the building, repair and maintenance of our muscles, organs and glands, enabling our body to defend against infection, disease and loss of daily functions. Constructing proteins in our body involves a complex combination of amino acid chains. The body can manufacture 13 of the amino acids required, which are considered the non-essential amino acids, since we do not need to get them from our diet. There are 9 amino acids we cannot produce that must be obtained through the foods we eat daily and these are consided as the essential amino acids.

Realizing that we need to have at least 20 amino acids for the synthesis of the proteins in our body, we use foods to secure the additional proteins. Thus, the protein provided by a food is classified as either complete or incomplete protein. A food with complete protein provides all of the essential amino acids necessary for the body. Foods that are considered as those with complete proteins include beef, lamb, pork, poultry, cheese, eggs, fish, and milk. Foods that do not provide all of the essential amino acids contain incomplete protein (plant foods), which include grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Combining both incomplete protein foods with complete protein foods will enable the body to receive the essential amino acids required daily.

While it is beneficial to receive the daily requirements of protein, it is not always beneficial to maintain a high protein diet, since health issues such as excessive stress on kidneys may result. Daily requirements for protein depend on age, medical history and daily diet. However, consumption of 2 or 3 servings of protein rich foods daily provides sufficiently for the needs of most people.