Everyone knows a little about proteins and their function in the body, but what exactly are they?
A lot of our foods contain protein but the best sources come from
chicken, beef, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds. Protein is the
building block of much of our anatomy, it's purpose is to repair,
maintain and build tissue in our body. Our organs, muscles and immune
system are made up of mostly proteins.
In sports, many athletes supplement protein via powders which are derived
mainly from milk or specifically the whey protein, which is the most
bio available source of protein. Other popular protein powder sources
include, soy, rice and albumen or egg protein.
Protein quick points:
* Protein is a 'macro nutrient' meaning we require a lot of it, where vitamins and minerals are considered 'micro nutrients', meaning we require less
* Unlike fats and carbohydrates your body doesn't store proteins
* Protein will not increase strength
* Bodybuilders generally consume between 2-3 grams of protein per pound of body weight
An interesting article/study on protein requirements can be found here:
