Five Intersting Facts About Protein

1. Daily protein/amino acid intake is required to maintain a healthy body. Without sufficient protein, the body either lets cells die or breaks down other muscles and tissues to get the protein it needs for repair and other functions.

The body may actually "eat itself" to acquire the necessary amino acids, or borrow the amino acids from the immune system or body functions to meet its protein needs.

Whether due to restricted diets, illness, skipping meals, poor diet choices, and so on, inadequate protein/amino acid intake can compromise your health and affect the following body functions:

• Bone cell synthesis

• Red blood cell production

• Heart cell turnover rate

• Neurotransmitters/mood

• Sense of well-being/stamina

• Immune function/antibodies

• Enzymes/hormones

• Skin elasticity/muscle tone

• Organ function/pH balance

• Mobility/joint integrity

• Too much protein is as harmful as too little, and is linked with shorter life expectancy, increased cancer and heart disease risk, widespread obesity and diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stress, and bad digestion

2. On its own, the body can manufacture 14 of the 22 amino acids it needs. But the other 8 cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from the diet. These eight amino acids are called "essential amino acids" and include: Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Threonine, Tytophan, and Valine.

3. Individuals typically need 1 gram of protein daily for each kilogram of their body weight. For example, a 180-pound man would need at least 80 grams of protein a day to meet his body's needs; a 140-pound woman would need a minimum of 60 grams.

4. Protein includes Vitamin B12, which is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B12 is generally not present in plant foods.
Vitamin B12 is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis.

5. Protein is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, tuna, cod, shrimp, scallops, halibut, and surprisingly, grass fed beef. This healthy fat helps prevent a wide range of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, depression, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.