«Proteins are essential to life, as they are involved in growth, the renewal of our cells as well as the primary functions of our body.»
After water, the main constituents of our body are proteins. The human body consists of several thousand different proteins. Proteins are formed by amino acid chains, a nitrogen source. Eight of them are essential, while the others are capable of being synthesized by our body.
However, proteins tend not to be well stored in the body, with muscles as the only protein reserves. As proteins are constantly being renewed, a daily intake of amino acids in our diet is essential. The amount ranges from 0.8g/kg/day for an adult to 1g/kg/day for a child or an elderly person, yet can exceed 1.5g/kg/day for some athletes to help protein synthesis.
Protein is often cited in nutritional discourse for maintaining the figure, losing weight or even preventing certain ill-health conditions.
Nevertheless, proteins have key nutritional advantages: