There have been a lot of controversial knowledge versions from different researchers on protein. The layman is often left at the crossroads on whether protein is harmful to our health, how much of it is adequate for a day, or whether to abandon animal protein and depend on plant proteins. While the body can manufacture some of the 21 amino acids, the essential category must come from the food we eat.
We have heard that protein is an essential macronutrient in bodybuilding and repair. But how much of this macronutrient is enough for us in a day? The absolute protein requirement per day depends on factors such as physical activity levels, muscle mass composition and goals, age, and the body’s overall health state. Getting inadequate protein quantity can adversely affect our overall health, physique, and general body constituents.
Did you know that every single cell of our human body is composed of protein? All thanks to protein, we have well-defined structures in our bodies, thus the reason we refer to them as life’s building blocks. The macronutrients are everywhere; in our bones, cells, tendons, muscles, enzymes, blood, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other structures. Proteins consist of amino acid chains. There are three categories of amino acids, namely, essential, nonessential, and conditional amino acids. Our bodies receive essential amino acids from the food we eat because they do not have the capacity to manufacture them. The body can manufacture nonessential amino acids from the essential amino acids supplied via food or during protein breakdown. Conditional amino acids are needed during certain conditions, such as adversity, stress, and illness.
