Protein: A Major Nutrient

Protein is the second major nutrient needed by your body. Your body uses protein to build and repair body tissue. Muscles, organs, bones, skin and many of the chemical messengers in your body are made of protein. Protein can also provide energy for your body if carbohydrates are not available.

Protein is a chain of building blocks called amino acids. In the human body, there are 22 amino acids. They combine with each other in an almost infinite number of arrangements. The human body can only make 13 of the 22 amino acids it needs for survival. This means nine of the amino acids must come from the foods we eat.

You get amino acids from eating plant protein or by eating the meat from animals that consumed protein. Protein is found in food such as:

• meat
• poultry
• fish
• eggs
• cheese
• milk

Grain, legumes and nuts also contain protein with other sources including foods such as oatmeal, lentils and peanuts.

Category: Food Fitness