Protein 101

Protein is considered as one the most significant macro-nutrient for human body. Professional bodybuilders improve their protein synthesis with cutting stack and gain gigantic muscles in just few months. This article is all about protein and its importance for human body. We have divided it into various parts so that you can easily know essential information.

Protein helps to maintain tissues and build up our body. Male body is composed of 55% water where female have 60%. Majority of the body’s weight is made up of protein. Body organs like bone, skin, immune system and muscles are mostly made up of protein. Our body converts protein into molecules for its usage. One of the most important feature of protein is that is helps to repair and replenish tissues and muscles.

Protein is easily broken and convertible for body usage and other activities. Unlike fats and carbs, human body doesn’t store protein which means it is important to consume proper amount of protein in routine diet. A normal person needs 1gm of protein per kilogram of his body weight whereas muscle builders needs to consume 1gm per pound of their body weight. Lack of protein may cause slow metabolism, low immune system and weak tissue building.

Proteins are composed of amino acids that are made up of different organic compounds like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and many more like these. All these organic compounds bond with each other to produce proteins for various activities. They also bond with other materials such with iron to make hemoglobin. Essential amino acids include:

Leucine

Methionine

Isoleucine

Lysine

Threonine

Pheynylalanine

Valine

Tryptophan
People with more physical activities may need more protein as compared to normal people. A rich protein diet is recommended for bodybuilders and other athletes. Their bodies break up protein for energy usage due to physical training. Athletes use protein to keep up physical activities whereas bodybuilders need protein for their muscle building and strength purpose.

As we mentioned earlier, protein is not stored in the body. Unconverted amino acids are used as calories for energy by body. But to perform vary action; they need to get rid of nitrogen atom which reacts with other compounds and make nitrogen waste. Body requires exit point for such nitrogen waste (urea) which is kidneys. Kidneys are specially meant for filter our toxic waste from the body. Most people don’t know they are suffering from kidney malfunction. So taking high protein diet can stress their kidneys out which results in kidney failure. In short, taking too much protein can damage your kidneys.

On the other hand, inadequate amount of protein will certainly harm your body. If body doesn’t have proper amino acids for muscles then it will borrow them for bones which can make bone structure weak and expose it to injuries. Little such harms are:

Red blood cell production

Bone cell synthesis

Muscle tone

Immune function

Stamina

Heart Cell turnover rate

pH balance
You can find protein in plants too. Animal meat is rich in quality protein but plant foods such are nuts, legumes and soy are also good protein sources.