What is protein?
Protein is a combination of large and complex molecules that play an important role in the functioning of the body.
Protein is an indispensable macronutrient found in almost every organ, tissue and essential body part like bone, muscle, skin and hair. Foods like fish, eggs, meat and legumes contain a high source of proteins in nature.
Protein contributes to the production of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood. Protein is built-up of twenty-plus chemical components called Amino acids.
Amino acids, which are building blocks of chemicals, are essentially used to build proteins. Amino acids play a significant role in developing muscle and bone density.
In general, our body fundamentally needs protein to help the body create new and repair damaged cells. Children, teenagers and pregnant women need protein for healthy growth and body development.
Importance of protein
Protein is the crux of the human body. Protein is considered to be necessary for the production of hormones, neurotransmitters, tendons and muscles. Besides, it is tough for humans to survive without all nine essential amino acids.
Without the contribution of proteins, bones, tissues and muscles would not be strong as it is now.
In addition, protein contributes to cellular repair, immunological response, metabolic processes, formation of blood cells and many more.
Here's a list that enumerates why protein is essential for the human body.
- Helpful for biochemical reactions
- Acts as a chemical messenger between cells
- Growth and maintenance of the body
- Helps to maintain proper pH
- Transports nutrients to the body
Types of protein
The following are the types of protein and their crucial significance.
Contractile proteins
Contractile proteins are vital for building contractile muscles that are typically found in cells and tissues. These proteins are involved in the participation of contractile events in the cytoplasm, cell aggregation and motile activity.
Hormonal proteins
Hormonal proteins are chemical messengers that help your cells, tissues and organs to communicate with one another. Hormonal protein examples include insulin, glucagon, pituitary hormones and hypothalamic hormones.
Structural proteins
A group of proteins known as structural proteins perform various tasks, from regulating cell shape and mobility to supporting important structures, including bones, cartilage, hair and muscles. Structural proteins consist of keratin, actin, myosin and collagen.
Storage proteins
Storage proteins consist of both vegetative and reproductive tissues and act as a storehouse for usage in a plant's developmental phases. Thus, the buildup of storage protein is advantageous for plant survival.
Transport proteins
Transport proteins help to move materials across cellular membranes. Transport proteins act as a channel to allow their substrate to move from one side to the other. It also helps to carry molecules across the plasma membrane.
How much protein do you need a day?
You must consume enough protein each day to meet your body's demands. Your body uses protein to create and repair tissues, transfer nutrients and perform several other crucial tasks.
The amount of protein required for an individual depends on many factors like body capacity, body limit and certain lifestyle circumstances.
It is advised that a person should get at least 10 to 35 per cent of calories from protein every day. Therefore, on average, if you require 2,000 calories, 200 to 350 grams of calories should come from protein.
Muscle and Strength
Protein is crucial for muscle growth because amino acids support the maintenance of muscle tissue and repair them in case of any damage. Protein aids your post-workout recovery because muscles are slightly torn during the workout.
Protein supplementation may improve muscular hypertrophy and enhance muscle strength in untrained and trained individuals. Protein can aid athletes in recovering from strenuous exercise and increasing muscle strength.
Protein in pregnancy
During pregnancy, protein serves as the building block for the baby's cells and aids in developing skin, muscles, hair and nails. Depending on your weight and physical activity, you need anywhere between 60 and 100 grams of protein per day for the healthy growth of the fetus.
Proteins aid in the development of a baby's brain along with the tissues and organs. It also helps the mother develop healthy breast and uterine tissue.
A pregnant woman can take a wide variety of protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, tofu and beans. During pregnancy, consult your healthcare professionals before consuming protein drinks and powders.
Benefits of high protein diets
The following are some of the benefits of consuming high-protein diets.
- Mitigates level of hunger
- Strength and muscle gain
- Enhances metabolism and increases fat burning
- Reduces cravings and desire for snacking
- Reduces blood pressure
- Aids in weight maintenance
- It helps to maintain fitness as you age
What to eat for a high protein diet?
You can take the following foods for a high-protein diet.
- Eggs
- Leaner cuts of beef
- Chicken breasts
- Turkey breasts
- Shrimp
- Nuts and seeds
- Fish and haddock
How do high-protein diets affect you?
Red meat and full-fat dairy products are two examples of foods in some high-protein diets that may raise your risk of developing heart disease.
People with kidney illness should refrain from consuming a high protein diet because their bodies may have problems excreting all the waste products from protein metabolism.
Pregnant women and elderly people should refrain from taking high protein unless advised by a doctor.
In addition, here is a list of problems that can be caused due to a high protein diet.
- Weight gain
- Bad breath
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Kidney damage
- Increased cancer risk
- Heart disease
Risks of eating too much protein
Anything consumed in excess is harmful to one's health, and that includes proteins as well. The body cannot utilise extra protein effectively, which places a metabolic burden on the liver, kidneys and bones.
Furthermore, consuming a lot of meat and excessive amounts of protein may increase your risk of developing cancer, coronary heart problems and other diseases.
Overconsumption of protein causes the following problems, especially for people with compromised organ function.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney problem
- Liver problem
- Blood vessel disorder
Summing up
Protein is necessary for life since it contains the essential amino acids for cell and tissue growth. Depending on the body and condition of an individual, protein intake varies, and a human body needs different amounts of protein to satisfy daily needs of the body.
You need to choose protein-rich foods since they supply amino acids and help us maintain a balanced and sustainable diet.
FAQs
What foods are protein foods?
What fruit has the most protein?
Is a banana high in protein?
Which vegetable is rich in protein?
What is the healthiest protein?
What are the consequences of low protein?
What is a good protein breakfast?
1· High protein cereal
2·Smoked salmon
3·Yoghurt pancakes
4·Peanut bread
