What
is Protein?
Proteins have numerous benefits. They
are essential for growth and repair. Skin, organs,
muscles, hair and fingernails are all mainly protein
materials. Proteins help to synthesize hormones (for
example, insulin) and are also crucial to the immune
system, because disease-fighting antibodies are synthesized
from protein.
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Proteins should provide
no more than 25% of total daily energy intake, with the remainder
provided by lipids (15%) and carbohydrates (60%). Insufficient
lipid (fat) and carbohydrate intake will cause the body to
draw on its proteins for energy.
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Protein-rich foods include
meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, milk and other dairy
products, as well as legumes. Proteins are also found
in smaller quantities in grains and grain products (wheat,
rice and bread), while fats, fruit, vegetables and sugar
contain virtually no protein. |
On average, the human body requires about
1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight each day.
Adults need protein for repair, while children, adolescents
and pregnant women need it to support growth and development.
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