Protein is a part of every cell in the body. It helps the body to build and repair cells and tissues. Protein is a major component of the skin, muscle, bone, organs, hair, and nails.

Here are five compelling reasons why you should make sure you are getting enough protein every day:

• Build. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage and skin.
• Repair. Your body uses it to build and repair tissue.
• Oxygenate.
• Digest.
• Regulate.

Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. They are one of the building blocks of body tissue and can also serve as a fuel source. As a fuel, proteins provide as much energy density as carbohydrates: 4 kcal (17 kJ) per gram; in contrast, lipids provide 9 kcal (37 kJ) per gram.

Protein has many roles in your body. It helps repair and build your body’s tissues, allows metabolic reactions to take place and coordinates bodily functions. In addition to providing your body with a structural framework, proteins also maintain proper pH and fluid balance.

Protein foods

• lean meats – beef, lamb, veal, pork, kangaroo.
• poultry – chicken, turkey, duck, emu, goose, bush birds.
• fish and seafood – fish, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, scallops, clams.
• eggs.
• dairy products – milk, yoghurt (especially Greek yoghurt), cheese (especially cottage cheese)

In this Article

• Seafood.
• White-Meat Poultry.
• Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt.
• Eggs.
• Beans.
• Pork Tenderloin.
• Soy.
• Lean Beef.

Here are some animal and plant foods that provide plentiful protein.

• Fish. Fish is a healthy, lean source of protein.
• Poultry. An ounce of chicken or turkey has about 8 grams of protein.
• Meat.
• Cottage Cheese.
• Soybeans.
• Greek Yogurt.
• Pumpkin Seeds.
• Cheese.

Structural proteins provide support in our bodies, for example, the proteins in our connective tissues, such as collagen and elastin. Hormone proteins co-ordinate bodily functions, for example, insulin controls our blood sugar concentration by regulating the uptake of glucose into cells.

Proteins are macromolecules and have four different levels of structure – primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.

Here is a list of 20 delicious foods that are high in protein.

• Eggs. Whole eggs are among the healthiest and most nutritious foods available.
• Almonds. Almonds are a popular type of tree nut.
• Chicken breast. Chicken breast is one of the most popular protein-rich foods.
• Oats.
• Cottage cheese.
• Greek yogurt.
• Milk.
• Broccoli.

In humans, up to ten different proteins can be traced to a single gene. Proteome: It is now estimated that the human body contains between 80,000 and 400,000 proteins. However, they aren’t all produced by all the body’s cells at any given time. Cells have different proteomes depending on their cell type.

Protein is found throughout the body—in muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other body part or tissue. It makes up the enzymes that power many chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood.

Of the protein stored in the body, almost half is stored in skeletal muscle, up to 15% is used for structural tissues such as skin and bone, and the remaining proteins are in tissues and organs including the kidneys and liver.

Protein makes up approximately 20 percent of the human body and is present in every single cell. The word protein is a Greek word, meaning “of utmost importance.” Proteins are called the workhorses of life as they provide the body with structure and perform a vast array of functions.

The short answer is yes, you can have more than one protein shake per day.

Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.

According to the Dietary Reference Intake report for macronutrients, a sedentary adult should consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. That means that the average sedentary man should eat about 56 grams of protein per day, and the average woman should eat about 46 grams.

Protein is an essential part of any well-balanced nutrition plan. However, there are vastly different opinions on how much protein women actually need. Too little and you may suffer from weakness, fatigue, or muscle loss; too much and you may gain weight, have kidney issues, or suffer from irritability.

In contrast, low protein intake may cause you to gain belly fat over the long term. Several large observational studies suggest that people who consume the highest amount of protein are the least likely to have excess belly fat ( 28 , 29 , 30 ).

According to the previously mentioned studies, a protein intake of around 30% of calories may be optimal for weight loss. This amounts to 150 grams per day for someone on a 2,000-calorie diet. You can calculate it by multiplying your calorie intake by 0.075.

To increase muscle mass in conjunction with regular exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that a person eats between 1.2-1.7 g of protein per kg of body weight per day. For a 130-lb woman looking to gain muscle mass and strength, that’s 71-100 g, and for a 150-lb man, that’s 82-116 g.

14 Easy Ways to Increase Your Protein Intake

1. Eat your protein first.
2. Snack on cheese.
3. Replace cereal with eggs.
4. Top your food with chopped almonds.
5. Choose Greek yogurt.
6. Have a protein shake for breakfast.
7. Include a high protein food with every meal.
8. Choose leaner, slightly larger cuts of meat.

General recommendations are to consume 15-25 g of protein at meals and in the early recovery phase (anabolic window) — 45 minutes to1 hour after a workout. Studies show higher intakes (more than 40 g) are no more beneficial than the recommended 15-25 g at one time. Don’t waste your money on excessive amounts.

Studies show higher intakes (more than 40 grams) are no more beneficial than the recommended 15-25 grams at one time. Don’t waste your money on excessive amounts.

Protein is an important nutrient for weight loss. Getting enough can boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite and help you lose body fat without losing muscle. Protein shakes are an easy way to add more protein to your diet, and have been shown to help with weight loss.

When it comes to how much protein you should consume, there’s no hard and fast guideline. Many individuals consume meals with 25 to 50 grams of protein. Eating more than 50 grams of protein per meal probably doesn’t provide any health benefits – but it won’t harm you either, says Layman.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that all adults should consume 0.83 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. This amounts to 56 grams per day for the average male and 46 grams per day for the average female.