{"id":11935,"date":"2018-10-17T16:12:13","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T23:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifeandhealth.wordifysites.com\/?p=11935"},"modified":"2021-07-15T10:36:56","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T17:36:56","slug":"whats-the-big-deal-about-protein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeandhealth.org\/food\/nutrition\/whats-the-big-deal-about-protein\/1611935.html","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s The Big Deal About Protein?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Especially for those of us working in the health and wellness field, we hear this word so many times that it\u2019s lost its meaning. Even for those who aren\u2019t involved with health on a professional level, \u201cprotein\u201d is plastered on so many advertisements, social media, and grocery store products. But despite its ubiquity, do we actually understand why we need protein?<\/p>\n

What is protein? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Firstly, proteins are macromolecules<\/em> that contain long chains of amino acids. Proteins are important for many functions in the body such as catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, response to stimuli, and transporting molecules. The protein sequence of amino acids distinguishes each protein. The activity of the protein is also determined by how the nucleotide sequencing of the gene is folded into a specific three-dimensional structure. All of this may sound like a lot of medical jargon but we\u2019ll get to the practical application right\u2026now<\/em>.<\/p>\n

How much protein do we need to function as healthy individuals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In a word, men need 56 grams of protein daily and women need 46 grams. This may cause you to want to reach for a protein shake that gives you that exact amount, but it\u2019s important to know what kind <\/em>of protein you\u2019re consuming.<\/p>\n

Even if you douse yourself with protein shakes, supplements, and other products, you still might not be obtaining the proper nutrients your body requires. The human body doesn\u2019t react to all protein sources in the same way. For instance, protein derived from animal and plant sources contain many diverse nutritional building blocks, otherwise called amino acids. These nutritional building blocks are very different when compared to protein supplements that are added to processed foods and nutritional supplements.<\/p>\n

The first and most important step is to understand the best source of protein. We can do this by determining which amino acids are present in the food source. This is important to note because amino acids are the genetic \u201cbuilding blocks\u201d that our bodies use to support the cardiovascular system and many other systems of the body.<\/p>\n

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There are twenty different types of amino acids, but only nine qualify as essential amino acids<\/em>. There are only nine essential amino acids because the body can produce or modify the other eleven non-essential amino acids. Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine are all amino acids that can be found outside of our bodies in the food we consume.<\/p>\n

Is it true that vegans don\u2019t get enough protein?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The answer is a resounding no<\/em>.<\/p>\n

If your meals aren\u2019t well-rounded in their protein sources, consuming adequate protein can be a problem, but it\u2019s a problem that can be easily fixed by eating a variety of plant-based foods \u2013 basically, by \u201ceating the rainbow.\u201d In order to have a complete protein diet, you should aim to mix all nine essential amino acids into your diet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This is actually the fun part. Think of it as a puzzle and create a menu that\u2019s full of variety and color, and you\u2019ll be all set. For example, mix together any legume (beans, lentils, or peanuts) with almost any whole grain (rice, corn, or wheat) and voila, you\u2019ve made a complete protein containing all nine amino acids. Knowing which food combinations provide the needed essentials will add tremendous health and abundance to your life, and don\u2019t worry; it\u2019ll come naturally after a short while!<\/p>\n

Some plant-based sources contain all nine essential amino acids, like soy. What\u2019s great is that there are so many soy-based protein-rich products available in today\u2019s every grocery stores. Tofu, soymilk, soy nuts, and imitation plant-based meats are some examples of the soy products you\u2019ll be able to experiment with for protein-packed, nutrient-dense meals.<\/p>\n

Can\u2019t I just eat meat for protein?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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What most people don\u2019t realize is that people who eat meat as a protein source are four times more likely to die of cancer in comparison to those who don\u2019t eat animal protein. While it\u2019s true that meat contains protein, it also contains high levels of cholesterol, fats, and sodium \u2013 all negative factors that damage the cardiovascular system. We need to weigh the cost. Not only does animal provide the risk, but they also lack high levels of fiber. Plant-based proteins are high in fiber, them easier for your body to digest.<\/p>\n

What are some optimal protein sources?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>This list is by no means comprehensive; there\u2019s so much protein in the plant-based world! We just listed some of our favorites here:<\/p>\n